Veganism is a lifestyle that eliminates the use of animal products, including dietary foods and supplements. While veganism has many health benefits, some key nutrients can be difficult to obtain through vegan diets alone. Fortunately, there are many vegan supplements available at Body by Nature supplements to fill in the nutritional gaps.
Here are the top vegan supplements for optimal health.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient found primarily in animal-based products such as meats, dairy, and eggs. For this reason, vegans are at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining healthy nerves and red blood cells.
Iron
Iron is an important mineral for many bodily functions, including red blood cell production and energy metabolism. Iron is found in many plant-based foods such as legumes, nuts, and fortified cereals. However, the form of iron found in plants is not as readily absorbed as the form found in animal-based products.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are important for brain health and reducing inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and seafood, but not in vegan diets. To get the benefits of omega-3s, vegans can take a vegan omega-3 supplement that is derived from algae.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is important for bone health and immunity. While some foods such as fortified plant-based milks and cereals contain vitamin D, the best source is sunlight. Unfortunately, vegans may not get enough vitamin D from the sun, so a vitamin D supplement may be necessary.
Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral for bone health. While dairy products are the most common source of calcium, vegans can get adequate calcium from plant-based sources such as fortified plant-based milk and dark leafy greens.