Unfortunately, the medical professions often disregard nutrition as a necessary part of disease prevention. Instead, they usually opt to prescribe pharmaceuticals only after health concerns surface. Here are five health supplements that health professionals should take seriously.

Fish and Krill Oil

Fish and krill oils are among the best anti-inflammatory supplements around. Inflammation plays a role in nearly every degenerative disease, and the typical Western diet has far too many inflammatory omega-6 oils and not enough healthy, anti-inflammatory omega-3 oils. Krill and fish oils are rich in the EPA, omega-3 and DHA nutrition you need. These beneficial oils not only reduce inflammation, but also support brain function, healthy skin and hair, and muscle growth.

Ashwagandha

While this herb is obscure to most Westerners, ashwagandha is among the most potent herbs in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural healing. It’s a powerful adaptogen, a supplement that helps your body manage stress. Not only that, ashwagandha can reduce cortisol, lower blood sugar, give brain function a boost, and help relieve anxiety and depression. The best ashwagandha is organic, and often blended with black pepper, for a synergistic effect.

Probiotics

Your microbiome is the microbes and bacteria that live in your colon. Probiotics are the good bacteria within your microbiome, and they constantly compete with the bad bacteria, like Candida Albicans. Boosting your good bacteria can alleviate digestive problems, reduce allergic reactions, and perhaps most surprisingly, improve your mental health. This is because many brain chemicals, such as serotonin, are also produced in your gut. Look for a probiotic supplement with a broad spectrum of species.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps with well over 300 enzymatic processes in the body. Moreover, most of us don’t get nearly enough magnesium in our diet. A magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle cramps, headaches, metabolic syndrome, PMS, and even a heart attack. Taking magnesium every night before bed will not only help you get a good night’s sleep, it will benefit your body in hundreds of ways.

A Good Multi-Vitamin

Even a small deficiency of any vitamin or micronutrient can throw off your metabolism. A high-quality multi-vitamin with things like selenium, zinc, folic acid and molybdenum can keep your metabolism in balance. Without costly lab tests, it’s hard to say what nutrients you may be deficient in, and a good multi-vitamin can cover a lot of bases.

Taking a few readily available and inexpensive supplements can make maintaining your overall health easier than you think.