Essential Nutrients That You Should Consume More
Nutrients are important for keeping your overall health balanced and lengthening your life span. Although it’s possible to consume too many nutrients, most people aren’t getting enough from their diets. With that in mind, here are some essential nutrients that you should consume more often.
Amino Acids and Protein
You probably know that protein is critical for building muscle and keeping your hormones in check, but you might not know that amino acids are critical for the creation of protein cells. Amino acids serve as the foundations for muscle fibers, and they also help your body grow throughout your life. Consuming enough amino acids helps your body optimize the aging process.
There are 20 amino acids overall, but of these, 9 are considered essential: phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, threonine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, lysine. Though plant proteins do contain some amino acids, animal proteins possess all the essential ones. Eating animal protein sources such as lean meat, eggs, and dairy as well as legumes such as beans and lentils will ensure you consume enough amino acids.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that also maintain your body. There are many vitamins out there, but the essential ones are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and B vitamins. All of these vitamins serve different functions. For example, vitamin C is crucial for many bodily functions, so think about its health benefits the next time you go apple-picking. The seven essential minerals are phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, and sodium. Like vitamins, each of these minerals benefits different bodily functions.
No food can single-handedly provide every essential vitamin and mineral, but eating a diverse array of foods will help you get closer to reaching this goal. Taking a supplement can also help you fill the gaps in your diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You can commonly find two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids in your diet: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are unhealthy, and you’re better off avoiding them, but omega-3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits. These help your body optimize both heart and brain health, but unlike other fatty acids, your body can’t create omega-3 fatty acids internally. You can find this nutrient in fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna or plants such as chia and flax seeds.
Overall, consuming all the essential nutrients daily is easier said than done, but nevertheless, it’s a noble pursuit. Now that you know some essential nutrients that you should consume more of, add them to your shopping list.