You don’t have to be a vegan for wanting to add some supplements to compliment your diet. It should always be based on your needs and lifestyle but never replace a whole diet. (If you are unsure book an appointment with your GP).
Based on what time of the year it is, I eat quite a few supplements. This is a list of the supplement I use, why and when. Not all the benefits of each vitamin or mineral are specified, I’ve added specifically why I eat these.
Magnesium – Magnesium is also known as the calm mineral as some people who suffer from magnesium deficiency can experience increased anxiety. I take this since I try to exercise in some capacity every day, as it helps your body and muscles during the recovery process.
B12 – is important for your brain, red blood cells and nerves. When you stress or experience stress, this is a vitamin that your body might burn through.
D – once autumn arrives in Sweden I take D-vitamins since the daylight decreases and there is no other way to get this. It’s available both in oil and tablet form.
A – I take this for its skin and immune system-boosting properties.
MSM – Methylsulfonylmethane, I take this for its skin, hair and nail-boosting properties but also for my joints as I do a lot of running. I notice that when I take this regularly I have less trouble with achy knees.
Kelp – Kelp is a seaweed that contains iodine that the thyroid gland needs to help the body’s metabolism rate, skin, hair, and nails and aids in the hormonal process within the body.
Silica – helps with hair, nail and skin. As I’ve had quite a few disasters at the hairdresser, I also like to add as many hair-boosting vitamins as possible into my diet.
Probiotics – are vital in keeping a healthy gut, which helps with regularity, less bloating and an improved immune system.
Psyllium husks – when I’m bloated, I use this to aid me back into shape.
5HTP -5-Hydroxytryptophan/oxitriptan helps the body create serotonin, and a supplement I take during the darker months in Sweden, as well as if I’m in a more stressful phase of my life or work.
As iron supplements don’t work with my stomach at all, I use the following instead:
- Eat plenty of fresh strawberries in summer
- Raw cacao powder – eating chocolate is way nicer than eating iron tablets. Any day!
- Nettle powder – in smoothies. A foolproof way to make quick green smoothies.
NOTE: This is not dietary advice, this is based on my personal needs and experiences and is not dietary or health advice. Contact a medical professional if you are unsure.