“If we are creating ourselves all the time, then it is never too late to begin creating the bodies we want instead of the ones we mistakenly assume we are stuck with.” — Deepak Chopra
If you’ve adopted the “new year, new me” mantra for 2022, you might be looking for some natural ways to feel healthier this year. Last month we tackled natural products that help us feel better on the outside, so for January we are focussing on things that improve our insides.
At Staff Shop we believe that a healthy lifestyle can help us in all areas of our life. When we feel better, we live better. We asked our team what natural superfoods and supplements they rely on for their health and wellness and we were motivated by their responses.
With their favorites, we have created our top 10 list of superfoods and supplements to consider for a healthy 2022!
We get many vitamins and nutrients from the foods we eat, but most times we are deficient and need to balance with supplements.
Top 10 Staff Shop Recommendations for Superfoods and Supplements
1. Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is the red colour found in seafood – it’s also a powerful antioxidant. You can obviously get this by eating a salmon dinner or adding shrimp to a stirfry, but you can also take it as a supplement. Many believe taking this helps with your heart health, diabetes and signs of aging. You can take astaxanthin orally, or apply a topical treatment directly to the skin to smooth wrinkles and minimize age spots and retain moisture. It’s a superfood for your skin.
2. Biotin
Biotin, or vitamin B7, as it’s sometimes known, is often taken for hair growth, skin irritations or brittle nails. Staff Shop’s COO, Alison Hernandez took it to repair her thinning hairline and it was a miracle solution! You can get biotin in supplement form or naturally by eating specific foods, such as eggs, bananas, pork and cauliflower.
3. Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green colour, but it’s also a popular health trend. You can get chlorophyll naturally by eating green vegetables. If you want to boost your intake, you can take it as a supplement in pill form or liquid in your water. Taking chlorophyll can have healing benefits, as it’s known to be full of antioxidants.
4. Fish Oil
Want to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids? Eat more fish. If you don’t like fish or don’t want to eat it all the time (especially considering mercury traces), you can supplement it with fish oil capsules. Fish oil is good for your heart and your other muscles. In addition, it’s a great boost for your brain and mental health.
5. Green Tea
For Talent Acquisition Specialist, Mohammad Alqroum, green tea is his superfood of choice. “Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds which have strong anti-inflammatory effects, and it helps me digest after a big meal,” he said.
6. Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink full of good bacteria that can aid in digestion. Kombucha has been used for centuries, making it more than a trend. Because it naturally improves your gut health, it can also aid in weight loss. It can improve your metabolism and is high in antioxidants. Kombucha is also a natural anti-inflammatory and good for your heart. It’s an optimal superfood.
7. Magnesium
Special Events Manager, Alexander MacLeod has found that taking magnesium tablets before bed is really helping his overall health. “I definitely feel more relaxed when getting into bed and have been falling asleep faster!”
Alexander is correct, magnesium can help you sleep better. Experts say that it loosens tight muscles and regulates melatonin in your body, which is the hormone responsible for your sleep cycle. A good night’s sleep is crucial to our overall health.
8. Multivitamin
Why choose one vitamin or supplement, when you can get several in one dose! For Talent Acquisition Specialist Naureen Ahmed, taking a multivitamin formulated for women is part of her daily routine. What are the benefits? She says, “Boost natural energy and vitality while supporting your heart, brain, eyes, and immune system – keeping your body functioning at its best.”
There are plenty of formulas available at your local drug store, so find one that suits your needs.
9. Vitamin D
COO Alison Hernandez enjoys the benefits of Vitamin D. While we get vitamin D naturally from the sun (and sun substitutes), many office workers miss out on sunny days, especially in the winter. Alison brings daylight indoors with an OttLite.
Obviously, this best cure is to enjoy time outside in the sunshine. But during the winter months it can be hard for Canadians to get vitamin D from the sun, so taking supplements is a must. You can also get vitamin D naturally from food, such as mushrooms and fortified dairy products. Vitamin D helps calcium absorb into our bones. Think of vitamin D as your happy hormone during the colder seasons – helping you combat the winter blues.
10. Vitamin IV therapy
Founder and CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand believes in vitamin IV therapy. While this isn’t a specific supplement, you can get a variety of vitamin cocktails to ward off illness and improve your health and wellbeing. Cancer patients have benefited from receiving high doses of vitamin C as an example.
While celebrities swear by this treatment for anything from jetlag to the common cold, there is science that proves this is a more efficient way to get vitamins into your body. When vitamins are ingested orally, the absorption rate is much lower than when received intravenously.
What is in your arsenal to help fight off toxins? What do you eat or take to improve your overall health and wellness? Did you make any health-related New Year’s resolutions? Share in the comments.
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Disclaimer: The views in this blog are Staff Shop’s and are intended as personal recommendations for awareness purposes only. This information is not professional medical advice, and should not replace the consultation of a medical professional for any type of diagnosis or treatment.
“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.” — Hippocrates
