Minerals, Vitamins, and Supplements: Are You Getting What You Need?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs to function. They produce energy, make collagen, build cells and proteins, and aid in hundreds of other roles in the body. Health trends are constantly changing, with products like CBD oil currently stealing the spotlight. While CBD may offer some benefits for anxiety and stress, it’s not a miracle cure for everything. Make sure you get enough minerals and vitamins in your diet, through a combination of healthy foods and supplements.

What is CBD Oil Used For?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil seems to be virtually everywhere these days with moisturizers and tinctures easily available. It’s touted as a miracle cure for a massive range of health conditions and illnesses. These include insomnia, anxiety, pain relief, and acne. CBD is one of the many active chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa.

Manufacturers make CBD oil by extracting CBD from the plant and combining it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp oil. CBD oil is gaining momentum in the health and wellness world with hundreds if not thousands of products on the market. When there is a miracle cure for all problems, it’s natural to question it. The big hype around CBD oil makes you wonder if there is evidence supporting all of these claims.

CBD oil has been used to treat chronic pain and anxiety. It affects endocannabinoid receptors in the body and lowers inflammation. The body has a specialized system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is involved with sleep, appetite, and pain.

Another study of people with social anxiety found that CBD oil reduced cognitive impairment and anxiety during a speech performance. This may suggest that cannabinoids, such as CBD, interact and affect the ECS, leading to pain relief from chronic inflammation and pain. While some scientific studies do confirm that CBD oil may be useful in treating ailments like anxiety and chronic pain, more research needs to be carried out.

Weight Loss Pills That Claim to Work Fast Without Exercise

There are a ton of different weight solutions out there with all sorts of pills, drugs and natural supplements that claim to help you lose weight. If you want a diet pill that works fast without exercise, you might wait a while. We take a look at some popular weight loss pills on the market right now and how they claim to work in the body.

Orlistat

Orlistat is a pharmaceutical drug that’s sold over the counter as Alli or under the prescription name of Xenical. It stops the breakdown of fat in the gut which in turn stops you from eating as many fat calories. A big review of 11 studies, found that Orlistat could increase weight loss by six pounds compared to a placebo.

Though it appears to have measurable results, the weight loss pill has numerous digestive side effects and can potentially lead to a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins K, A, and E. Interestingly, it’s been shown that following a low carb diet like the keto diet is just as effective for weight loss as taking Orlistat.

Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Vitamins and supplements come in many forms. Garcinia cambogia is a fruit that contains hydroxycitric acid which is thought to help with weight loss. The extract shot to fame after a stint on the Dr. Oz show. This extract is meant to stop a fat-producing enzyme known as citric acid lyase. Like other diet solutions that promise quick results, the scientific evidence supporting weight loss is extremely thin. Studies have disagreed on the effectiveness of garcinia cambogia, yet it’s widely available to buy.

4 Essential Vitamins and Minerals You Need in Your Diet

Weight loss and health solutions promising too-good-to-be-true results will always come and go. By following a healthy diet with plenty of regular exercise and making good lifestyle choices, you can lose weight sustainably and keep your body in proper functioning order.

Minerals and vitamin supplements can play a crucial role in your body, as it can be tricky to get everything you need from diet alone. Including high-quality vitamins and supplements in your diet can be a great way to hit your daily target and stay in top form.

There are 13 essential minerals that you need and countless minerals that the body requires for optimal health. Here are four vitamins and minerals that you need in your diet.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium, which is needed for strong bones. Without enough vitamin D, you increase your chances of bone and hair loss as well as your likelihood of getting sick. You can technically get all your vitamin D from the sun, but over 40% of people in the United States don’t get enough.

Calcium

You need calcium for healthy bones and teeth. In fact, every cell in the body uses calcium. Low calcium levels are extremely common. One survey in the U.S found that fewer than 15% of teenage girls and fewer than 10% of women over 50 were meeting their recommended daily intake for calcium.

Zinc

Many people are aware of the immunity booster vitamins they can take. Additionally, Zinc is a mineral supports a healthy immune system and encourages the body to use carbs, protein, and fat for energy. The average American diet isn’t particularly rich in foods that contain zinc. Since the body can’t store zinc, a daily supplement with zinc will help support your overall health.

Vitamin B12

B-vitamins consist of eight individual vitamins that all work together to sustain the body’s energy supply. However, each vitamin also has a specialized role. Vitamin B-12 keeps the nervous system in check and ensures blood cells are healthy. Vegans and vegetarians, in particular, are prone to vitamin B-12 deficiency, as the majority of this vitamin group’s food sources are animal-based, like meat, fish, and dairy.

While it’s important to get vitamins and minerals from your food, supplements are a great way to up your intake. This is magnified when you follow a restricted keto or vegan diet. Hit your daily targets for vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and reach optimal performance levels.

The Final Verdict

Some weight loss pills like Orlistat appear to work, sometimes with side-effects. But, if your aim is to sustainably lose weight and keep it off, then exercise, eat healthy, and take plenty of vitamins and minerals.