Healthy living requires regular exercise, a balanced healthy diet, and a peaceful, happy mindset. There are certain supplements that can be taken in order to help you stay healthy and many people all over the world take multivitamins, Omega 3, and other popular supplements.
There are however some really great supplements that are not widely known but that can have some really fantastic benefits. Here is a guide to 4 supplements to improve your health that you’ve probably never heard of.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine isn’t exactly a household name but this supplement is actually found in a lot of popular products. Beta-alanine is often used in pre-workout powders and drinks because it creates a tingling sensation known as paresthesia which stimulates people just as they are starting their workout.
Beta-alanine is used by bodybuilders and anyone looking to make muscle and strength gains, however, one criticism of beta-alanine for weightlifting is that the ergogenic effects of beta-alanine last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes and that period of time is longer than it takes to complete a set of lifts. For this reason, beta-alanine is a more effective supplement for those who are training with a focus on endurance because the exercise time is significantly longer.
Berberine
Berberine is in a class of molecules known as alkaloids that have a physiological effect on humans. There are many different alkaloids including caffeine, morphine, and cocaine, all of which have various effects, but one of the most important benefits of berberine is that it has been shown to lower blood glucose. This can help you to lose weight and control blood sugar spikes from high carbohydrate meals.
There are some useful berberine supplement reviews at https://nutritiondietnews.com/best-berberine-supplement/ which can help you choose the best supplement for you. It is always important to read the instructions and dosage on the bottle whenever you take a supplement but usually berberine is taken three times a day with meals. If you are on diabetic medicine you should talk to your doctor before taking berberine in case it has a reaction with your current medication.
Turmeric Extract (Curcumin)
The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin and it is becoming an increasingly popular herbal supplement. Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory effects which can help to keep your joints healthy, speed up recovery after exercise or injury, and can also help to protect you from a range of diseases.
Studies have also shown curcumin to have some really great digestive benefits and even to help with the symptoms of debilitating digestive diseases like Crohn’s Disease. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and some studies have suggested that its antioxidant properties can slow the aging process and greatly improve the quality of our skin, hair, and eyes.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is extracted from an Indian root and is used as an anxiolytic. Anxiolytics are drugs or other substances that are used to reduce stress or anxiety which can be enormously detrimental to your health. Ashwagandha has been shown to consistently reduce cortisol levels which are the hormone that causes anxiety. Ashwagandha has also recently been shown to increase testosterone levels to a small extent when tested on a sample of people doing weight training.
This helps to increase strength and endurance as well as recovery between sets and sessions which can significantly improve your training capacity as well as your muscle and strength gains. With more and more athletes looking to natural supplements to support their training, an ashwagandha is a great option.
5-HTP
5htp or 5-hydroxytryptophan is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan which naturally occurs in our bodies in trace amounts. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin which is necessary for regulating mood and sleep. 5-htp is a natural alternative to prescription antidepressants and is also used for weight loss and sleep problems.
These are very common issues today with almost 10% of people suffering from depression, as much as 67% of people overweight or obese, and 30% of people having problems sleeping. Prescription antidepressants work by increasing levels of the serotonin but both tryptophan and 5htp are serotonin which studies have shown are capable of eliminating depression with a similar rate of success to Prozac. As far as weight goes, 5-HTP has been shown to be an excellent weight-loss method as it helps to reduce carbohydrate and fat absorption.
There are so many beneficial supplements available and so it is important that you do your research and find the best supplements to suit you. Try out some of the suggestions in this guide and you may feel some really great changes.