Poles are more and more willing to reach for various types of dietary supplements, wanting to take care of their health, beauty and the proper supply of key vitamins and nutrients. Statistics show that in 2017 alone, we spent a total of as much as PLN 4.4 billion on health-promoting preparations and from year to year we observe a significant increase in the importance of this industry. However, consumer awareness leaves much to be desired. Many people still believe that dietary supplements are subject to the same regulation, research, efficacy testing, and surveillance as regular medications. Manufacturers sometimes take advantage of the lack of supervision over the supplement market and low entry barriers for new products, offering and aggressively advertising preparations of dubious effectiveness. Which popular dietary supplements are worth using? Which will bring visible results? Check!
CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) belongs to the group of cannabinoids, i.e. a group of compounds found naturally in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). Most people associate cannabis with a cannabinoid called THC, which is responsible for the intoxicating effects of the plant. CBD, although it is an ingredient found in the same plant, does not have psychoactive properties, so it does not cause intoxication or addiction, and also has a number of valuable health-promoting properties:
has a neuroactive and neuroprotective effect, relieves stress, allows you to relax, stimulates the nervous system, and regenerates nerve cells,
has an antioxidant effect by reducing oxidative stress, strengthening the immune system, preventing premature aging and protecting the skin against free radicals,
has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties, relieving even chronic pain, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial,
reduces nausea and vomiting, increases appetite and regulates metabolism,
It is also perfect as a means of supporting the fight against acne and psoriasis, and even cancer, attacking and destroying defective cells and inhibiting their multiplication.
CBD can be purchased in the form of droplets, tongue pastes, enteral capsules, dried fruit, inhalation crystals and cosmetics (creams, ointments, gels, oils).
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is made from manuka bushes growing in New Zealand. In the Maori language, manuka literally means “tea tree honey”. It differs from ordinary honey mainly by the fact that it has a 10 to 50 times higher concentration of an ingredient called MGO (methylglyoxal), which is responsible for numerous health-promoting properties of the preparation.
The most important properties of manuka honey:
supports the functioning of the digestive system and regulates the intestinal flora (it can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of reflux, gastric ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome),
strengthens natural immunity, affecting the work of the immune system,
supports the treatment of inflammation of the throat and sinuses, fighting staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria,
fights infections of the digestive system causing vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain,
supports the fight against eczema, youth and rosacea, and improves the overall condition of the skin,
accelerates wound healing.
Manuka honey should be taken in the amount of 2-3 teaspoons a day in the morning or evening before falling asleep. Manuka honey is also available on the market in the form of capsules, tablets, syrups, drops, lotions, creams or shampoos.
Black cumin oil
Black cumin oil, also known as black seed oil, contains many ingredients that have a positive effect on health – m.in. essential oils thymol, thymoquinone and thymohydrokinon. Black cumin itself (Nigella sativa), from the seeds of which valuable oil is extracted, was already known in ancient times for its spectacular health properties.
Black cumin oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, beta-carotene and antioxidants, so it is worth adding it to soups and salads. Thanks to its rich composition, it has a comprehensive effect on health:
lowers high blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels,
strengthens the immune system,
supports the fight against ailments of the digestive system (stomach and duodenal ulcers, food poisoning, etc.),
protects the liver (has a hepatoprotective effect),
controls allergic reactions thanks to antihistamicin,
protects the kidneys,
supports the treatment of asthma,
supports the treatment of diabetes thanks to the insulin content,
supports the treatment of acne, dandruff and allergic ailments thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties,
It has analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Black cumin oil should be cold-pressed and eaten only raw without heating, especially frying on it.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is one of the key vitamins, necessary for the proper functioning of the body. It is also called the sunshine vitamin because it is synthesized in the skin during sun exposure. For this reason, in autumn and winter we usually suffer from its deficiency – in Poland it affects as much as 90% of the entire society!
Vitamin D3 is worth supplementing due to its numerous health properties: the sunshine vitamin is responsible for the proper mineralization of bones and the proper development of the skeletal system, regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, improves the functioning of the circulatory system and heart muscle, supports natural immunity, and reduces the risk of cancer development.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 supplementation is also associated with a number of positive health effects. These Essential Fatty Acids have a positive effect on the functioning of the circulatory system and brain, increase the level of good cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, inhibit the development of type II diabetes, support mental health and the immune system, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, and also have an anti-cancer effect.
Magnesium + Vitamin B6
Magnesium is an element that should be supplemented by virtually everyone these days. Constant stress, late nights, consuming large amounts of coffee or a careless diet make it common for us to suffer from a deficiency of this nutrient.
Magnesium is called the element of life for a reason. It plays an important role in the proper functioning of the entire body, m.in. it activates about 300 enzymes, regulates the proper concentration of potassium in cells, protects against arrhythmia, ischemia and hypoxia of the heart, ensures proper muscle contractility, and also affects the body’s natural immunity.
Magnesium supplementation is best supported by vitamin B6, which has similar properties – it supports the proper functioning of the nervous system, has a positive effect on muscle contractions and heart function, regulates blood pressure and increases the body’s immunity.