Did you know that when it comes to your favorite supplements, the ingredients likely give you so many more benefits that what can go on a label?
When you opt for supplements, it pays to do a little extra research to learn exactly what a specific supplement can do for you. This is why you’ll find the same supplement but marketed in different ways. For instance, you can find Turmeric categorized under beauty and fitness, and not just for joint health.
The point is supplements are complex ingredients and getting to know them beyond the label can help you refine your supplement routine.
Here, we take a look at some of the most beloved supplements and look past their typical label.
Turmeric: It’s not all about the curcumin
Turmeric is beloved by the wellness world thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory properties which gives your body a wide range of benefits. Often, you’ll learn that the unique antioxidant found within turmeric, curcumin, is responsible for this ancient roots’ multiple benefits. What’s lesser known though about turmeric is it’s not just the curcumin that makes turmeric so good for you.
Turmeric, as a whole food supplement, gives you other compounds as well such as Alpha-turmerone, Beta-turmerone, Turmeric oil, and Demethoxycurcumin. Although they sound complex, in essence, these are all synergistic compounds found within Turmeric and are just as beneficial as highly praised curcumin.
This is why when looking for a turmeric supplement, it’s ideal to get a whole food Turmeric supplement instead of an isolated extracted curcumin supplement. This helps to ensure that your body absorbs all the anti-inflammatory benefits turmeric has to offer.
Ashwagandha: Not your typical energy booster
When we think of supplements for increased energy, often Ashwagandha gets mixed in with the likes of caffeine and green-tea extract. This is understandable since all these substances indeed provide an increase in energy.
Ashwagandha’s energy boost is unique when looking at it against caffeine-based energy supplements. Unlike caffeine which increases energy through increasing adrenaline and temporarily stimulating your brain, Ashwagandha energizes the body by helping the body cope with energy-depleting physical and mental stress.
This makes Ashwagandha a valid option for people looking to boost their energy, without worrying about caffeine jitters and crashes. Additionally, consistent intake of Ashwagandha can provide long-term overall increased energy, as opposed to caffeine-based energy supplements which cause a spike then fall in energy, and for many people, a dependency.
What many people might miss is Ashwagandha isn’t a stimulant, even though it’s often grouped together with other energy boosters that stimulate the body. Instead, as an adaptogen, Ashwagandha brings the body into a state of balance where you find yourself relaxed yet alert and focused while simultaneously feeling energized but not jittery.
Due to Ashwagandha’s balancing properties, the energy it gives makes you feel balanced instead of wired.
Discover more about Ashwagandha here.
Cinnamon: Not all cinnamon is created equally
Our favorite blood-sugar balancing spice deserves a little extra attention when it comes to its origin.
Did you know that the most commonly found cinnamon, the ones available in supermarkets and generic supplements, in fact, is a cousin of cinnamon called Cassia? Although the taste and smell are similar to the undiscerning, Cassia doesn’t have the same level of potency or benefits of true Cinnamon, otherwise known as Ceylon Cinnamon. Additionally, Cassia contains toxic compounds when taken in high doses and the cheapness is reflected in its level of quality.
Ceylon Cinnamon on the other hand, is non-toxic, less processed and more beneficial than its commercial counterpart. If you’re looking to reap all the blood-sugar stabilizing and immune boosting benefits of cinnamon, skip the supermarket stuff and look for Ceylon Cinnamon.
Discover more about Ceylon cinnamon here.
Probiotics: Not just for your gut health
When we think of probiotics, we immediately associate probiotics as a supplement to help regulate bowel movements and help ensure good digestion. While this is true, these tiny living microorganisms benefit so much more than just our gut health.
In fact, looking deeper into why and how probiotics promote good gut health, you’ll easily see how intimately gut health links to the rest of your wellbeing. A healthy gut does more than digest your food. Remember your last case of the stomach flu, and you’ll likely recall not just dealing with stomach pains, but fatigue, low moods, and poor focus as well.
Taking probiotics provides a multitude of benefits, even though it’s touted as a ‘gut health’ supplement. For instance, probiotics enhance your immunity, help regulate mood, promote mental clarity, promotes happiness, promotes hormone balance, and regulates hormones. If you’ve decided to pass on probiotics because ‘your digestion is working fine’ you may want to reconsider taking this supplement for the wide spectrum of benefits it provides.
Discover more about probiotics here.
Give Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon and Probiotics a try. These high- quality supplements provide your body with a wide spectrum of benefits that work synergistically to help you look and feel your best.
