Demanding work schedules, long commutes — such is the life that plenty of Singaporeans face on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this doesn’t bode well for our overall health. Singapore’s healthcare costs are on the rise, and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension affect more and more people here.
So what can we do about it? Besides aiming for a more balanced work-life balance and a more active lifestyle, we should also look into our nutritional needs. The solution to that for many in Singapore is to take health supplements.
Let’s discuss several key supplements that will help you stay strong even if you’re always busy.
How Supplements Can Help With Your Health Struggles
Let’s be honest with ourselves: most of us don’t have the healthiest of diets. Sure, we have a smorgasbord of convenient, delicious options around us, but are they all nourishing?
Sadly, they are not, so we need to improve our food choices. However, this doesn’t automatically solve our problem either. By taking health supplements, we can make up for the gaps in our intake so we avoid deficiencies and the complications that follow them.
Must-Have Supplements When You’re Busy
Probiotics
A healthy gut biome is important for various aspects of your health, including digestion, your immune system, and even skincare. But our food culture here often lacks the diverse bacteria needed to achieve this. It’s why it’s quite common for people in Singapore to take probiotic supplements. These often come in different bacterial strains to meet different needs, such as fighting diarrhoea or lowering your cholesterol count.
Protein
Protein is a key nutrient for your muscle health and metabolism. If you struggle to eat enough protein every day — especially if you have irregular meal schedules — then you could consider protein supplements. These often come in powders that you can mix into beverages, though you can also find ready-to-drink products.
Vitamin B Complex
B-complex supplements can be a great help when you’re under constant stress and working long hours. They support your nervous system, circulation, and energy levels so you can think clearly and perform well at work.
Vitamin C
Don’t want to fall ill with colds and the flu too often? Then you need to have more Vitamin C in your system. It bolsters your immunity so you can fight back more effectively against infections. This vitamin is also an antioxidant that can help lower our risk of various chronic diseases, including heart disease and gout.
Vitamin D
Singapore gets plenty of sunlight — an important source of Vitamin D— but the heat and humidity make us spend most of the daylight hours indoors. Taking supplements for this vitamin would support your bone health, immune function, and even your mood.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 supplements like fish oil are a must-have for your heart and brain. It lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol, boosts your cognitive function and memory, and also combats inflammation.
Magnesium
This mineral is also essential for many bodily functions, so you should consider getting supplements for it too. Some ways they enhance your health include maintaining bone health, improving your insulin sensitivity, reducing migraines, and regulating your heart rhythm.
Where You Buy Them Matters Too
While there are some basic standards in Singapore for health supplement products, it’s best to play it safe and choose your brands wisely, too. Opt for suppliers that undergo third-party testing and provide a clear list of ingredients. You could also go to a health shop that has a good reputation with fellow locals — they’re unlikely to let you down either.
But don’t forget to consult your healthcare provider if you want to add supplements to your daily routine. They can recommend suitable dosages and help avoid potentially harmful side effects if you’re taking other medications or have existing health issues.
Let’s Be More Mindful of Our Well-being
Supplements are not the sole solution to our nutritional needs, but it does help make up for some of our shortcomings when striving for a healthy lifestyle in Singapore. In any case, it never hurts to take more initiative in caring for ourselves.
Making an investment in our health today can pay off immensely in the future, so let’s make the most out of it.
Related Infographic: Health Supplements for Mental Wellbeing
