From iron to seaweed, these are the best supplements to boost your metabolism and improve your health in the long term
Health and wellbeing have never been more important to us, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has dominated the past 18 months. The health and fitness club industry is now worth more than $96 billion worldwide, as people set aside more time to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing.
One way in which people are getting this health boost is through supplements. As people have identified gaps in their own diet and imbalances in their nutritional intake, supplements have emerged as a convenient and cost effective way for people to address dietary issues or combat health concerns. From bone strength to immune boosting, cognitive function to cardiovascular health, there are many reasons to invest in supplements. And among the most popular of these is undoubtedly the use of supplements to help in managing metabolism.
But why is your metabolism so important, and what are the best supplements to boost your metabolism? Let’s take a look.
Why is your metabolism important?
Your metabolism dictates the rate at which the body breaks down food and nutrients for energy. This energy, in turn, supports a range of different bodily functions – including normal organ function, cell repair and even breathing. Various factors impact how effectively your metabolism works, including what you eat and your age.
The faster your metabolism is, the more quickly your body burns calories and turns them into energy, making you less likely to put on weight. As we get older, our metabolism naturally slows, but certain vitamins and minerals can help to maintain and boost metabolism in the long run.
Why supplements?
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to take supplements for our health, and we’d get all the nutrition we need from a balanced diet. This is indeed the case for some people, but a lot of people require a helping hand to support their health and wellbeing, and this is where supplements come in.
Supplements are often recommended or even prescribed as a way to provide vital vitamins, minerals and a broad range of nutrients.
And, as we’ve already mentioned, supplements can be useful for supporting metabolism. Here are some of the best supplements to boost metabolism and support healthy weight management.
It’s important to note that some vitamins and minerals can cause adverse reactions when taken together, so be sure to consult a medical health professional before adding new supplements to your diet.
The best supplements to boost your metabolism
Iron
Your body needs iron for healthy development, growth, and metabolism. Iron is essential in supporting cell function and the creation of certain hormones. It also helps to carry oxygen in red blood cells to and from muscles and tissues in the body.
When you have low iron levels, these red blood cells may not be able to send enough oxygen to the muscles. This can prevent muscles from burning fat for fuel as they should, interfering with your optimum metabolism.
Magnesium
Magnesium is necessary for the chemical reactions that produce energy in your body to take place, making it essential for both metabolism and energy release. Although magnesium can be found in common foods like bananas, nuts and seeds, salmon and spinach, you can also take magnesium supplements to boost your metabolism after speaking to a doctor.
B vitamins
There are a number of B vitamins that play key roles in supporting a healthy metabolism – such as B-12, B-6, folate and biotin. Being deficient in one B vitamin can impact your other B vitamin levels, which in turn can disrupt your metabolism. For example, vitamin B-12 is key for the metabolic breakdown of proteins and fats, but it needs vitamins B-6 and folate in order to function correctly.
Iodine
Iodine deficiency has been called Britain’s “hidden health crisis” as it impacts more than half of the UK population. Getting enough iodine in your daily diet is paramount when it comes to supporting both your metabolism and your overall health.
While there are synthetic iodine supplements on the market today, seaweed supplements prevent a natural and organic solution to those who wish to maintain healthy iodine levels. Iodine is a vital yet often overlooked vitamin when it comes to maintaining metabolism, as well as cognitive function, skin health, thyroid function and more.
Not all seaweed supplements are created equal however, and it’s important to shop smart. Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful® organic seaweed capsules are made using only wild-harvested seaweed from the pristine waters of the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Just one 500mg capsule a day can be enough to provide all the iodine you need to be more wonderful.