Five nutrients that make sense as capsules or powder

In some cases, nutrients taken in the form of particular nutritional supplements make sense. You have no health problems, you get regular check-ups from your doctor, and you are aware that vitamin pills are not a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet and sufficient exercise. Then these five nutrients could be a good supplement for you:

1. Zinc

Appropriate mineral supplements are vital if a zinc deficiency has been medically confirmed. For everyone else, please only use it in moderation. Many of the zinc supplements available in drugstores or pharmacies contain doses that are too high for healthy consumers. Suppose a cold is coming on or a runny nose is developing. In that case, dietary supplements containing the mineral can temporarily prevent the rhinoviruses responsible for it from spreading further in the body.

However, they should then be taken for a limited period of time and not without consulting a doctor. Vegetarians and vegans are an exception: since meat is one of the main sources of zinc, it can make sense to take the trace element as a dietary supplement if you consciously avoid it.

2. Probiotics

After taking antibiotics, for example, after a sore throat or sinus infection, so-called probiotics (ideally in combination with prebiotics) can help cleanse the intestines. You don’t have to go to the pharmacy to buy probiotics anymore: effective and high-quality probiotic capsules and powders are also available in drugstores.

3. Biotin

A sufficient supply of biotin is important for a regulated metabolism: This vital substance, also known as vitamin H, ensures healthy skin, hair and nails and is involved in numerous processes in the body, such as the functioning of the nervous system. Although biotin is found in nuts, oatmeal, soybeans, spinach, lentils and mushrooms, it is often lost through incorrect storage of foods.

If you have hair loss, brittle nails, or skin problems, it can, therefore, help to take a course of dietary supplements containing biotin. You should discuss taking the vitamin for a longer period of time with a doctor: Hormonal fluctuations or thyroid diseases, such as an underactive thyroid, can also be responsible for symptoms that persist over a longer period of time, such as severe hair loss.

4. Folic acid

During pregnancy or if you want to have children, it is a good idea to take folic acid as a daily dietary supplement. The B vitamin is essential for the production of new cells and enables the healthy growth of the embryo. The active ingredient also contributes to blood formation, promotes hair growth, and ensures a healthy scalp.

5. Green tea extract

Green tea extract has been proven to reduce the number of malignant cells in lymphatic leukemia and has a positive effect on health even when cancer is not present. If you don’t like green tea, capsules are a good option.