What Supplements are Available at Axiom Chiropractic?
In 2015, 45.6% of Canadians aged one year and older (approximately 15.7 million people) used at least one nutritional supplement, yet many don’t see the results they’re hoping for. It’s not just about taking a supplement; it’s about choosing the right one for your unique health goals.
At Axiom Chiropractic, we offer a curated selection of supplements designed to support specific needs, from enhancing hydration and energy to protecting joint health and boosting immunity. Curious if you’re taking the most effective supplements?
Let’s break down our top recommendations and how they can make a difference in your wellness journey.
Vitamin D Supplements
Why Vitamin D is Important for Health
Vitamin D is a powerhouse when it comes to supporting bone strength, muscle function, and immune health. It plays a key role in helping our bodies absorb calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones and preventing issues like osteoporosis.
Additionally, vitamin D supports our immune system, helping us fend off infections and stay strong through the seasons. However, vitamin D deficiency is common, especially in areas with limited sunlight, which can put people at risk for a range of health concerns.
When levels are low, people can experience symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain, or even mood shifts. This can cause stress on the body - click here to learn how a Calgary chiropractor can help me manage stress? In severe cases, a lack of vitamin D is linked to conditions like rickets in children and bone pain in adults, making it crucial to maintain adequate levels.
Who Benefits from Vitamin D Supplementation?
While vitamin D is important, not everyone necessarily needs a supplement. The individuals who benefit most are those with low vitamin D levels or deficiencies, which includes people who spend a lot of time indoors or have darker skin tones, as these factors can affect vitamin D production from sunlight.
For older adults, vitamin D can be particularly beneficial in supporting bone health and reducing fall risk, especially when combined with calcium.
Supplementation can also be helpful during the winter months or for those who live in areas with long stretches of cloudy days.
Here’s a quick look at who may benefit most from vitamin D:
Older adults to support bone density and fall prevention.
Individuals with limited sun exposure due to lifestyle or climate.
People with certain health conditions affecting vitamin D absorption.
Dosage and Safety Considerations
For most people, moderate vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective. However, high doses, specifically 4,000 IU or more per day, may carry risks, such as reduced bone density or an increased likelihood of falls. This is why it’s essential to take vitamin D only as needed and ideally under guidance.
For those who already have healthy vitamin D levels, taking additional supplements doesn’t offer extra benefits and can potentially do more harm than good.
In summary, vitamin D is best targeted to those who truly need it, so checking your vitamin D levels is a good first step before starting a supplement routine. At Axiom Chiropractic, we’re here to help guide you on safe supplementation for optimal health.
Electrolyte Packets
Why Electrolytes are Essential During Exercise
Electrolytes are minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium that are crucial for keeping our bodies hydrated and muscles functioning well—especially during exercise. When we sweat, we lose not only water but also these essential minerals, which can lead to imbalances that affect performance and recovery.
Water and electrolytes work to balance body fluids, control muscle contractions, and support energy levels, which makes them essential for anyone engaged in physical activity.
If you’re feeling unusually tired, getting muscle cramps, or feeling dizzy during or after workouts, you might be experiencing electrolyte loss. This is where electrolyte supplements come in handy, helping you maintain a balanced state.
Key Findings on Electrolyte Supplement Benefits
Studies show that electrolyte supplements are more effective than regular water in keeping the body hydrated and maintaining essential electrolytes during exercise. Compared to plain water, electrolyte solutions help retain body weight, keep blood sodium levels stable, and maintain fluid in the cells and blood.
By improving these factors, electrolyte supplements have been shown to enhance endurance markers like exercise time, heart rate, and oxygen intake.
Here’s how electrolyte packets can help during intensive workouts:
Better hydration: Keeps water levels balanced by maintaining electrolytes.
Improved endurance: Helps you perform longer without fatigue.
Enhanced recovery: Replenishes lost minerals for faster recovery. Electrolyte packets can make all the difference for those pushing their limits in sports or high-intensity exercise.
Who Should Use Electrolyte Supplements?
Electrolyte supplements are great for anyone engaged in high-intensity or prolonged exercise, like athletes or people doing extended training sessions. For athletes, electrolyte packets are particularly valuable for replacing lost salts and improving performance.
The timing of these supplements can be adjusted based on exercise type and duration. Athletes might benefit from taking electrolytes before, during, and after exercise to maximize hydration and recovery.
If you’re not engaging in prolonged exercise, your electrolyte needs may be lower, but a supplement can still help in cases of heavy sweating or long workouts.
At Axiom Chiropractic, we offer electrolyte packets designed to support optimal hydration for those needing it most.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their role in supporting heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Found naturally in fish and certain seeds, omega-3s are crucial for managing blood fats like triglycerides and can help reduce joint pain and stiffness, particularly in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Although they’re commonly associated with heart health, omega-3s also support cognitive health, making them valuable as we age. There is also modern research showing how Omega-3 supplementation can assist with concussion management.
Some benefits of omega-3s include:
Lowering triglycerides: Beneficial for heart health.
Reducing joint inflammation: Supports joint health, especially in arthritis.
Boosting brain function: Important for cognitive health and focus.
Seafood vs. Omega-3 Supplements
While omega-3 supplements are popular, research indicates that eating seafood a few times per week is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease death, whereas the benefits of omega-3 supplements are more limited.
This suggests that getting omega-3s from whole food sources may provide additional nutrients beyond what supplements offer. For those who don’t consume fish regularly, omega-3 supplements can fill the gap, but supplements alone may not provide the same benefits as a seafood-rich diet.
If you’re considering omega-3 supplements, think of them as an addition to a balanced diet rather than a substitute for omega-3-rich foods.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
Omega-3 supplements are generally safe, with mild side effects like bad breath, fishy taste, or gastrointestinal discomfort. However, it’s important for those on blood-thinning medications to talk to their healthcare provider, as omega-3s can interact with these medications.
Additionally, studies have presented conflicting findings regarding omega-3s and prostate cancer risk, with some research linking higher blood levels of omega-3s to increased risk, while other studies show no link.
To stay safe, it’s best to stick to recommended dosages and consult a healthcare provider if you have any specific concerns or conditions. Omega-3 supplements offer great benefits but, as with all supplements, should be taken with attention to individual health needs.
Choosing the Right Supplements for Your Health Needs
At Axiom Chiropractic, your go-to chiropractic office when you’re finding a chiropractor near me in Calgary, we offer targeted supplements that support specific health needs, from vitamin D for bone health to electrolytes for hydration and omega-3s for heart and joint health. These supplements aren’t one-size-fits-all, and each has unique benefits, best suited for people with specific needs.
Vitamin D can be essential for those with low sun exposure, while electrolyte packets provide valuable hydration support for those engaged in intense exercise.
Omega-3 supplements, though beneficial, are most effective when combined with a balanced diet.
Whether you’re looking to improve sleep, boost athletic performance, or support long-term health, we’re here to guide you in making informed choices about supplementation.
Reach out to Axiom Chiropractic to discuss when to visit a chiropractor and learn more about how these supplements might fit into your wellness journey!
