42 JUNE 2017
Food & Nutrition
WORDSPATRICK LOHPHOTOGRAPHISTOCKPHOTOThe Top Five
Supplements Your
Body Needs Now
Although they can’t replace your prescribed medicines
vitamins and minerals, they can still work wonders
SORRY, MALAYSIANS: DR. LESLEY
Braun, Director of Blackmores
Institute, says we’re an unhealthy
lot. “No one eats the daily
requirement of two and four
servings of fruit and vegetables
respectively. That’s why Malaysians
fall sick so easily,” she explains. This
is where supplements can come in
handy to strengthen your immune
system and to boost recovery
time when you fall ill. To get you
started, here are five essentials
from Blackmores Institute, as
recommended by Dr. Braun.
1/ CURCUMIN FROM
TURMERIC AS AN
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Concentrated curcumin extracted
from turmeric is perfect as an
anti-inflammatory, according to Dr.
Braun, who adds that inflammation
happens in our body undetected.
“It’s also safe to take with other
medication, unless stated by your
doctor or pharmacist,” she says.
2/ GLUCOSAMINE FOR
ACHES AND PAINS
It’s difficult to get glucosamine
from your diet, so this supplement
will help, especially when you
experience aches and pains due
to osteoporosis and arthritis,
according to Dr. Braun. “If your pain
is extreme, however, see a doctor
to get medication, which you can
then use in combination with your
supplement,” she states.3/ ZINC FOR
PERFORMANCE
AND ENERGY
People who exercise regularly
lose a lot of zinc. “When you are
zinc-deficient, you suffer appetite
and weight loss, your wounds heal
slower, and you fall sick easily,”
Dr. Braun explains. “If you are a
professional athlete, get the right
dose from your pharmacist to
support your training hours.”4/ COQ10 FOR CELL
PRODUCTION
If you are active, you’ll need this
supplement for cell reproduction
for better performance. “It helps
cells create more energy and
prolongs your workouts. It also
boosts your recovery rate,” Dr.
Braun says.5/ PROBIOTICS AND
ANTIBIOTICS FOR
BETTER RECOVERY
“Probiotics prevent any side effects
from antibiotics that might kill good
bacteria in your body,” Dr. Braun
says. However, if you are on heart
medication, consult your doctor
before taking probiotics (or any
supplements for that matter), as
the combination of the two could
lead to blood thinning.42 JUNE 2017
Dr. Lesley Braun is the Director of Blackmores Institute, a research centre for
healthcare professionals and medical students to educate the public about
their health. Visit blackmoresinstitute.org