Supplements are a controversial topic. Even though many swear by it, there’s also a large chunk of masses who don’t care about it. As for me, I am a believer in the power of the RIGHT supplements and have been taking Ashwagandha for years. I also load up on iron, probiotic and biotin when I am travelling.

But here’s the question I get asked often: do we really need supplements?

No. Ideally we should be getting all of our vitamins and minerals from our diet itself. But then again, how many of us are having 5 servings of fruits everyday anyways, right? Or taking long walks in nature? This is where supplements come in: to fill in the gaps. That’s about it. They are not meant to replace an intake or counter the effects of a fatty or oily diet or a healthy lifestyle, and that’s why supplements are defined as something that completes or enhances something else when added to it.

But many people tend to get confused or overwhelmed with the idea so I am going to break it down for you. Below mentioned are the 3 supplements you should and can take every day for optimised health and wellness.

Vitamin D

Yes, you read correctly. You may complain about how hot it is and how the sun is plotting to kill us all, but the truth is that according to a report by NCBI, “Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic proportions all over the Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70%–100% in the general population.

In India, widely consumed food items such as dairy products are rarely fortified with vitamin D and the results are the following;

• Getting sick often due to poor immunity
• Aches, pains and overall persistent fatigue
• Back pain, muscle pain and bone pain
• Depression
• Hair loss

These are just some of the symptoms but the list is long and scary so its best to up your vitamin D game. Also, there are multiple varieties of vitamin D available so make sure your supplement contains vitamin D3.

Probiotic

A good probiotic supplement can work wonders for your gut health. Gut health is directly connected with our overall well-being including our mental health but as we age good bacteria gets depleted.

Some of the effects of low gut bacteria include:

• Digestive issues
• Chronic stress
• Depression
• Inflamed skin
• Autoimmune disease
• Bad breath
• Sugar cravings

Replenishing your gut with healthy bacteria is necessary for optimal health and mental well-being. Also, did you know that there’s a direct connection between stress and gut health? That’s why it’s important to find a good and multipurpose probiotic to aid digestion and gut function. This will leave you feeling healthier, happier, and more energetic.

Omega 3

This one is an all-rounder and provides so many benefits such as relief from anxiety and depression, improve risk factors for heart disease, fighting against inflammation and more.

On the other hand, some of the signs you need to look out for in case you are omega 3 deficient are:

• Inability to concentrate
• Dry skin and hair
• Join pain
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Fish is a fabulous way to get more omega3s but I still recommend opting for the supplements. It’s cheaper and gets absorbed by the body in a quick and effective way. But if you suffer from any serious medical conditions, it’s best to consult your doctor first.

Do you consume any supplements regularly? Talk to me!