No matter how long you have been avoiding animal products, it is a good idea to get your health checked out and make sure that you are supplementing effectively.
For best health, it is a good idea to be aware of the Vitamins and minerals that are considered trace elements in vegetables, grains, and fruits. Because your body needs these vitamins and minerals to work effectively, you will need a supplement plan for what you are missing.
Iron
Meat is the simplest way to get enough iron. If you do not eat meat, you will need to get iron from somewhere else. A multivitamin that contains iron can be a healthy start, but you may need to take it with food for the best stomach health.
Iron can irritate your tummy. If you have a history of digestive challenges, carefully monitor any
- nausea
- hyperacidity
- excess burping
- dark stools
- constipation
after adding an iron supplement.
Consider taking your iron supplement with fat, such as nut butter, if you notice such irritation. Applesauce can also soothe an irritated tummy after taking your iron if you must take it on an empty stomach. Another option is to use a fortified cereal as a snack or a meal if you can find a vegan option that offers all the iron you need each day.
Calcium
Because milk products are generally the go-to product for calcium, vegans will need to dig a little deeper to get enough. If you are over the age of fifty, you will need more. While you can get calcium from greens, broccoli, chickpeas, and fortified beverages, a supplement may be necessary.
Like iron, calcium supplements can lead to stomach upset. If you notice chalky stools or excess gas, consider splitting your calcium supplements up and taking them in three smaller doses with each meal. You may also need to follow up on your calcium with a bit of acid.For example, you can take your multivitamin with nut butter to reduce irritation and increase absorption, then follow it up with green tea for a bit more acid to reduce the symptoms that a calcium supplement can often cause.
NMN
The supplement nicotinamide mononucleotide is currently being tested as a way to fight off the symptoms of aging.While eating a vegan diet is a great source of healthy and low toxin foods, getting the best NMN supplement for your tolerance and your needs is an excellent investment in your future.
Another exciting feature of NMN supplements is that they may make it easy to control and manage blood sugar.If you are diabetic or at risk of diabetes, getting your blood sugar under control as early as possible can protect your brain, heart, blood pressure, and inflammation levels. No matter what supplement you are taking to help level out your blood sugar, make sure to keep your water intake high to flush out toxins and reduce inflammation.
Iodine
Because iodine is critical for thyroid support, you will want to either use iodine fortified salt in your cooking or consider an iodine supplement.If you eat plenty of seaweed, your iodine levels may be healthy.
If you are prone to thyroid challenges, make sure you do not get too much iodine. Too much can lead to goiters and thyroid inflammation, which can depress thyroid function. Before you start to supplement with iodine, get your levels checked.
Zinc
Zinc is generally a trace element in fruits and vegetables. Because it is so critical for wound healing, scalp health, and immune function, you will want to make sure that you get a zinc supplement. Luckily, you can find zinc supplements in lozenge form.These lozenges are generally formulated with Vitamin C as well.
Some users find that zinc supplements can be excessively bitter or acidic. Consider pairing your zinc lozenge with plenty of water or a creamy fruit product, such as bananas.
A vegan diet and lifestyle can help you to feel better about the impact you make on our world.A vegan supplements diet, particularly in the United States, will take some planning and will be harder to arrange than the Standard American Diet, or SAD. Only you can decide if it is worth it, but you will want to review your supplement needs for optimum health.