The Paleo diet is modelled on our hunter gatherer ancestors who led an active lifestyle eating nutrient dense, whole foods. Followers of the Paleo diet ditch processed foods and stick to a meal plan filled with lean meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, healthy fats, nuts and seeds.
Several studies have shown this diet to improve health significantly, help participants lose weight and reduce the risk of heart disease. You’ll get a huge amount of the right vitamins and minerals to keep your body strong on the Paleo diet. But, it may help to take a few natural health supplements to fill in any gaps.
Omega 3S
Omega 3s are important for everyone, regardless of whether you are on the Paleo diet. Supplementing with omega 3 offers benefits like lowering inflammation in the body, brain health, improved cardiovascular function, reduced joint pain and much more.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in sunshine and seafood. If you get enough of both, you may not need to top up. But if you don’t eat fish for example and live in an area without much sun, a vitamin D supplement will be hugely beneficial.
Probiotics
Often digestive problems are the reason people start on the Paleo diet. If this sounds like you, supplementing with probiotics is essential to balance out good gut bacteria. Yogurt and fermented foods are good sources of probiotics, or search for a quality supplement.
Vitamin B12
Good natural sources of vitamin B12 are oily fish, clams, liver and eggs which are eaten on the Paleo diet. But if you don’t like these foods, consider topping up with a health supplement. Vitamin B12 assists with the formation of red blood cells, keeps nerves healthy and helps make DNA.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a crucial role in the body supporting nerve and muscle function and the production of energy. Without it, you are more susceptible to cramping, headaches, blood clots and high blood pressure. While many foods in the Paleo diet contain magnesium like nuts, seeds and legumes, energy levels may be diminished when you eat less carbs.
Co-Enzyme Q10
CoQ10 helps to regulate blood sugar, improve heart health, assist in the prevention and treatment of cancer and may reduce migraine frequency. Our bodies produce a small amount of CoQ10 but you can get more with a good supplement and foods like; organ meats, fatty fish, spinach, cauliflower, oranges and strawberries.
Vitamin K2
We need calcium to maintain healthy, strong bones. Vitamin K2 is needed to activate a protein that helps the mineral attach to our bones. Dietary sources of vitamin K2 are beef, pork, liver and dairy foods. If you don’t eat these foods, consider taking a health supplement.