Nothing is worse than being sick in the summer!
As summer approaches, it’s time to get your body and brain ready for the warm weather.
The sun will shine…the heat will beat down…and you’ll want to enjoy every moment.
But as great as summer is, it actually presents some health risks that winter does not.
The sunlight that you love so much can actually damage your skin if you aren’t careful.
And of course, the hot weather can leave you dehydrated.
Lastly, if you’re like most Americans, summer means plenty of opportunities to eat unhealthy (who doesn’t have a sweet tooth for ice cream in the summer?).
Luckily, there are plenty of supplements out there to help you stay healthy.
I’m sure you don’t want to miss a minute of summer fun, and these supplements can help.
Here are 12 of the best supplements for summer:
1. Fish Oil
When it comes to overall health benefits, it’s hard to compete with fish oil.
What makes fish oil such a super supplement?
It’s packed with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
These powerful nutrients are like anti-inflammatories and antioxidants on steroids.
In fact, the main reason why omega-3s are so incredible is that they reduce inflammation throughout the entire body.
It’s important to take fish oil year round, and that goes for the summer too.
Plenty of supplements reduce inflammation, but fish oil does it in your joints, your blood vessels, and your brain.
Inflammation is the root of most diseases, and fish oil is your secret weapon in the fight for better health.
Believe it or not, omega-3 supplements may even help you heal faster when you get a sunburn.
Omega-3 Deficiency Side Effects
Here are some of the health risks of not getting enough omega-3s:
- Faster skin aging
- Severe inflammation
- Allergies
- Digestive disorders
- Joint and muscle pain
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Heart disease
…and these are just a few of the risks associated with omega-3 deficiency.
Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough omega-3s, but taking a quality fish oil supplement can make up for it.
2. Bee Pollen
Congested sinuses and itchy eyes from airborne allergies can ruin a beautiful summer day.
Thankfully, bee pollen may be one of the best summer supplements for reducing airborne allergies. (1)
Bee pollen can provide serious natural allergy relief.
Plus, it’s full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are important to health.
Here are just a few of the benefits of bee pollen:
- Reduces inflammation
- Antiviral
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Reduces stress
- Blood circulation
- Lowers cholesterol
- Strengthens the immune system
Believe it or not, in some cases bee pollen is just as good at reducing inflammation as Tylenol…
Are you ready to improve your mood and kick allergies to the curb this summer with bee pollen?
3. Probiotics
Did you know that bacteria can actually be good for you?
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that strengthen the gut lining and protect you against illness.
When the warm weather comes, you want to be as healthy as you can be, and probiotics are one the best supplements for summer.
The fact is that a day at the beach just isn’t the same when you’re under the weather.
That’s where probiotics come in to save the day.
The Many Health Benefits of Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics are especially important for people with autoimmune conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Crohn’s disease.
But probiotics aren’t just for people with chronic illness.
In fact, 70 to 80 percent of the entire immune system is located in the digestive tract, and it needs probiotics to stay healthy. (3)
Here’s a quick rundown of the many health benefits of probiotics:
- Inflammation reduction
- Allergy control
- Digestive health
- Low blood pressure
- Better mood
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Strengthens the immune system
The bottom line is, a healthy gut is a happy you, and you want to feel amazing when it’s time for summer.
As a result, your digestive system and brain will be healthier.
Why Antioxidants are Important for Summer
Antioxidants help the body fight UV damage from within, but this is just one of there many jobs.
When it comes down to it, antioxidants like…
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- CoQ10
- Astaxanthin
- and Alpha Lipoic acid
…help the cells recover from ALL KINDS of damage.
In fact, the next time you cut your foot at the beach, vitamin C can help it heal faster.
Here are some of the best antioxidants for reducing cell damage and protecting you from disease:
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C has a big impact on the body as a whole.
For one, it improves immune function.
It also helps the body use collagen, a powerful protein that is critical to joint health.
Here are some of the main benefits of vitamin C:
- Brain function
- Fights cancer
- Promotes heart health
- Speeds injury recovery
- Reduces the risk of gout flare-ups
- Supports the immune system
- Reduces the risk of respiratory infection
In fact, vitamin C may be one of the best summer supplements for supporting the immune system.
Plus, it even treats the common cold and reduces the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia.
To top it all off, vitamin C reduces the risk of malaria, so stock up if you’re planning a trip to the tropics.
5. Vitamin E
What if I told you there was a vitamin that naturally slowed aging and was a powerful antioxidant?
Well, that’s vitamin E in a nutshell…and it’s great for skin health too.
This important nutrient also plays an critical role in the function of many organs.
However, the real reason why vitamin E is such an important summer supplement is that it reduces skin inflammation.
This might be vitamin E’s greatest superpower, because healthy hormones make it easier to…
- Fight fatigue
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce anxiety
- and fight allergies…
So if you want to feel incredible for the summer, make sure to take plenty of vitamin E.
6. CoQ10
CoQ10 is one of the most popular anti-aging supplements because it supports all the cells in the body. (6)
At the same time, CoQ10 helps with digestion.
On the flipside, not having enough CoQ10 can spell trouble.
Here are just a few of the conditions linked to CoQ10 deficiency:
- Poor memory
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer
- Muscle disorders
But CoQ10 doesn’t just work alone…it also maximizes the effects of other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E.
The point is, this powerful antioxidant does it’s best to keep you healthy for your summer fun.
7. Astaxanthin
Is astaxanthin even better than vitamin C?
Some medical professionals go so far as to call it the “king of carotenoids” (a family of antioxidants).
Astonishingly, astaxanthin may be 6,000 times better than vitamin C at fighting free radicals.
It’s one of the best summer supplements because it does everything from reducing wrinkles to fighting inflammation.
8. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is another great summer supplement for reducing inflammation.
Although the body makes some ALA on its own, ALA supplements guard against skin damage and reduce the risk of diabetes.
Plus, ALA supports mitochondria, the energy factories of the cells.
This is why supplementing with ALA can boost energy and keep you energized for fun in the sun.
9. Collagen
The harsh summer sun can take a toll on your skin…
But thankfully collagen is great at repairing damaged tissues throughout the body.
Collagen production slows as you age, but taking a quality collagen supplement can help sun-damaged skin heal faster.
On top of that, collagen also aids joint recovery.
What makes collagen so good at repairing the body?
For starters, it’s the most common protein in the body, and it’s a master at replacing dead skin cells and improving skin tone.
At the same time, collagen acts as the glue that strengthens joints and tendons.
In fact, if your legs feel extra stiff when you try to stand, you could probably benefit from collagen supplements.
According to recent studies, collagen can be especially effective for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. (7)
Collagen Deficiency Side Effects
Here are some of the risks of not getting enough collagen:
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Severe joint inflammation
- Low energy
- Reduced muscle mass
- Increased inflammation
But these are just a few of the side effects of low collagen levels in the body.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of high-quality collagen supplements to help you conquer the summer.
10. Biotin
Biotin (vitamin B7) isn’t just any B vitamin, it specializes in making skin and hair healthier.
In fact, its nickname is the “H” vitamin (after a German word that means “hair and skin”).
For one, biotin can help the skin bounce back from sun damage…but it’s more than just a nutrient for the skin.
Inside the body, biotin boosts metabolism.
If you don’t have enough biotin in your body, you might struggle to absorb nutrients from food.
But the benefits of biotin don’t stop there…
Biotin works hard to help the muscles recover, so if you want to bounce back fast after your weekly workouts, biotin supplements might be worth a try.
Biotin Deficiency Side Effects
Here are some of the risks of not getting enough biotin:
- Wrinkly, sagging skin
- Brittle hair
- Dry eyes
- Low energy
- Malnutrition
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- Depression
- Poor metabolism
Without enough biotin, the body might struggle to convert food into energy.
When this happens, the side effects can really start to stack up.
Don’t let biotin deficiency ruin your fun in the sun!
Instead, consider strengthening your skin and supporting you metabolism with biotin supplements.
11. Multivitamin
No matter the season, you should always take a well-rounded multivitamin.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in something and forget to take your supplements.
That’s why in the chaos of summer, a multivitamin can save the day.
It’s important to get a high-quality multivitamin that contains:
- B vitamins
- Electrolytes
- Antioxidants
- Minerals
The electrolytes might be the most important nutrients when it comes to summer, and here’s why:
When you sweat, you lose electrolytes, which are critical for a healthy nervous system.
In fact, an electrolyte deficiency can cause headaches, brain fog, and muscle cramps.
But electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and calcium aren’t just important for avoiding cramps and headaches.
Magnesium can be especially effective at reducing anxiety.
The bottom line is that if you want to feel your best this summer, don’t forget to take a daily multivitamin.
12. Protein Powder
If you plan on having an active summer, it’s important to get enough protein.
What makes protein so important?
For one, the amino acids in protein speed muscle repair and reduce soreness.
Instead of being sore for days after your backpacking trip, take a paleo-friendly protein powder so you can have fun all summer long.
Do I Still Need to Take Vitamin D Supplements During the Summer?
Yes, it’s still a good idea to take vitamin D during the summer.
But while you’re at it, you might as well get at least 20 minutes of sunshine a day.
In the right dose, vitamin D from the sun can be a powerful anti-inflammatory and be great for hormone health.
If you have any further questions, our providers at Complete Care Health Centers are happy to help.
Feel free to contact us today for help finding the best summer supplements.