Recent studies have shown that dietary products have become very popular among Australians. Whether you are a professional athlete, an occasional sportsman or you just care for your body, you can enhance the results from your physical activity. Being healthy is more than just working out. You need to bear in mind there are some nutrients your body might be in need of. Science has evolved so much that nowadays there are supplements for everything.

Professional athletes use supplements such as collagen, probiotics, multivitamins, whey, vitamine D, among others, to complement for all the nutrients they may lack. You can add these to your everyday diet and routine and become healthier. Here’s a list of the best supplements:

Collagen

Collagen is a natural protein that your body can produce on its own to strengthen your tissues: bones, tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles, and even hair. However, as we grow older the production of this protein decreases so our hair and skin are not as smooth and shiny as they used to. The same goes for the other tissues, because of loss of collagen we become more prone to injuries and pain in our joints. The best way to fight this is taking collagen pills as a supplement on a daily basis.

According to recent studies, collagen is good for recovering from injuries and helps protect the body from future damage. Even celebrities talk about it, on an interview to the website Well and Good, Jennifer Aniston said that taking collagen peptides has made her skin and hair glow and look healthy.

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms present in some fermented foods or supplements. Scientists now believe that the balance of bacteria in the digestive system is crucial for an overall wellbeing. If there is no balance in the bacteria of our gut, there can be many illnesses and ailments like extreme weight loss, decrease of immunodefence, among others.

Some of the benefits of probiotics are:

• *  they help balance all the friendly bacteria in your digestive system

• *  they help prevent diarrhea.

• *  they improve your mental health.

• *  they keep your heart healthy.

• *  they reduce allergies and Eczema.

• *  they boost your immune system.

• *  they help you lose weight.

Multivitamins

The nutrient-gap-fillers are a must have in your diet. Multivitamins are essential as they help with muscle recovery, among other benefits. Each vitamin has different effects on our bodies. For example, vitamin C gives us the antioxidants we need to decelerate aging and making muscles stronger to recover faster. Other vitamins like potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium are necessary for our bodies, especially for people who practice sports. Some vitamins can even slow muscular degeneration.

Whey

Together with casein, whey is one of the two proteins that make up milk. It is separated from the casein to form a product similar to cheese. Many people who are lactose intolerant consume this as it contains all the essential amino acids in milk with little lactose. Athletes sometimes take whey to enhance their performance. It can be eaten as a cheese, or as a powder mixed with other food. When taken before and after working out it enhances muscle growth.

Vitamin D

Although by taking multivitamins you will see good results, there is not enough vitamin D in them. Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, it is very important for our bodies. It can be produced naturally by being exposed to the sun or by taking it as a supplement.

Some of the benefits of taking vitamin D are:

• *  it prevents multiesclerosis, cancer, and type 1 diabetes.

• *  it helps your bones and teeth stay strong.

• *  it boosts your immune system.

• *  it helps the brain and nervous system to stay healthy.

Omega 3

These acids are healthy fat that help control cholesterol levels, boost your immune system and soothe any inflammation or pain. Sportspeople usually take omega 3 supplements to prevent any sport-related injuries. It is present naturally in fish and some plants, but you can buy it as a pill. If you are vegan, there are plant-based options.

Overall benefits of taking supplements

All the aforementioned products should always be complemented with a healthy diet and exercise. Their general benefits are: strength gain, faster muscle recovery, decrease in body fat, bone and ligaments strength, less inflammation, and a boost in your immune system. The ingredients of some supplements can also help to support healthy bowel movements and may help with cleansing the digestive system potentially leading to greater energy levels. Look for products with bio complete 3 ingredients.

Remember to be patient and not to expect immediate results. Everything takes time and dedication and no supplement is going to work fine if you are not following a healthy diet and doing regular exercise. Also, always pick high quality brands just to be sure they have been approved by the authorities. Finally, always check with a specialist.