In an ideal world, we would be able to easily lead healthy lives. We would have less stress, be able to exercise a little each day, have time to prepare delicious and healthy meals, and to get enough sleep each night.

Unfortunately, these good habits are not always realistic for busy professional people in and around the Toronto area. We have jobs, families, and children, and more obligations than we know what to do with. It can therefore be very challenging to lead healthy lives.

Fortunately, with the right combination of vitamins, supplements, and probiotics, it is possible to take a significant step toward a healthy life and to give your body the basic things it needs to operate on a healthy level. You can get good, reputable products at health stores like Better Living around Toronto.

Proper Digestive Health

A great place to start in your quest for a healthier lifestyle is with your digestive tract. This area of the body maintains a careful, delicate balance, and how we treat it can determine a lot about our health. Your digestive system currently houses about 500 different species of bacteria, which are responsible for helping you digest foods and derive the maximum benefit from your dietary choices. These good bacteria can provide you with up to 10% of the total energy your body needs to function at its best.

Aside from increasing your energy levels, probiotics can help you boost your immune system. Your body is able to more effectively fight off illness when it is receiving everything it needs, and can also reduce the impact of harmful bacteria by keeping it from growing in the first place.

Benefits from Vitamins and Nutrients

One of the key probiotic benefits you can experience is the increased production and absorption of nutrients. Your body produces a number of nutrients on its own, as long as it has the proper tools. These nutrients include folate, vitamin K, various B vitamins, and even certain fatty acids. All of these nutrients contribute to your overall health and are facilitated by the use of probiotic supplements.

While maintaining your digestive health is important, it is also just as essential to take a daily multivitamin in order to supplement your healthy lifestyle as well. Even if you strive to eat healthy, you may have some shortfalls, which can lead to risks to your body over time. Women who are considering becoming pregnant are at particular risk for ill effects of low levels of certain vitamins, and people who follow vegetarian diets or the aging population can also face major health concerns due to deficiencies.

Vitamins and probiotics work in conjunction to keep us healthy, so it is important to understand how they work and which ones to get in order to receive the maximum benefit possible.

Selecting the Right Products: Probiotics

It is generally safe for most people to take probiotic supplements, though it is always a good idea to consult with a physician before you start any kind of regimen. If you are given the all clear to proceed, there are certain things you should know when selecting the right priobiotic product.

First of all, most national health and safety organizations have taken a hard stance on the regulation of probiotic supplements. All health supplements sold in Canada now require NPN (natural product numbers) from Health Canada to ensure label accuracy, potency and safety.

Second of all, you should look for different strains of bacteria to derive the most benefits from your supplement use. Certain strains can help you with immunity issues, digestive issues, lactose intolerance, and other conditions. Be well-informed, using us and well-regarded research as your guide to select which ones are right for you.

Are you currently taking any probiotic supplements? How did you decide on the product you selected? Share your research with us in the comments.

Selecting the Right Products: Vitamins

According to studies, there are five vitamins and nutrients in which adults seem to fall short most frequently: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Magnesium, and Calcium.

Calcium in particular is a common problem, with women falling short frequently throughout their lifetimes. It is estimated that as much as 70% of girls between 6 and 11 do not receive enough calcium, and 88% of teenage girls from ages 12 to 19 also do not get enough. When women reach adulthood, 90% of them are still not receiving sufficient calcium.

When selecting a multivitamin, it is important to keep these figures in mind and to select one that helps you make up for these deficiencies. While a multivitamin will not completely make up for an unhealthy diet, it can be a good insurance policy for those days when eating healthy is a challenge.

Taking Probiotics and Vitamins Together

While probiotics are generally safe, even if you consume them in large amounts, you should consider other factors such as fat and calories if you choose to eat probiotic foods versus taking supplements. In addition, some vitamins can be harmful if you take too much, so you should be careful to avoid an adverse reaction. A nutrition expert can help you determine which amounts are appropriate for you and keep you within the safe range of any supplement you take.

What kinds of probiotic supplements and multivitamins do you take? Share your healthy habits with us in the comments.