Why would I take a supplement if my diet is healthy and balanced?

• Today's soil is no longer as nutritionally rich as 50 years ago.
• Many women suffer from nutritional deficiencies at one point or another, even if they follow the 'perfect' diet.
• Nutritional deficiencies could affect your mood, sleep, energy levels, immunity, productivity and overall health.

You may be wondering why on earth would I take a supplement if I follow a healthy and balanced diet? We get it, we've been there.

It's not the first time we cover this ground. If you haven't already, head over to the 'Nutrients aren't what they used to be' article to get the full low down on how the foods we eat are no longer as nutritionally rich as 50 years ago.

Exactly, you've heard it right. Unfortunately, the soil where our fruits, vegetables, cereals, and legumes grow on, are no longer as nutritionally rich as they used to be. In fact in some cases, the nutrient content could be 20-40% lower than half a century ago. As a result, the foods that grow on them, are nutritionally poorer. So even if we follow the perfect 'textbook' diet, we could be dealing with nutritional deficiencies.

Some of the most common deficiencies amongst women are iron –according the the WHO it is estimated that over 2 billion people could suffer from this mineral deficiency–, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D –it is estimated that over 60% of the worldwide population could be deficient in this vitamin– and magnesium. These are essential nutrients that you don't want to be deficient in because they play a huge role in your bodies vital functions.

Iron, vitamin B12 and magnesium for example, play a vital role in maintaining healthy energy levels. A deficiency in any of these three, can leave you feeling drained and exhausted. So if you're constantly tired, maybe it's time you get a blood test to check your nutritional levels.

Did you know that magnesium, for example, is involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in our bodies, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, blood pressure regulation, and regulating sleep? Interesting, right?

When it comes to our mood, nutrients such as vitamin B12, magnesium and tryptophan, also play their part. A very important one, actually. They are involved in serotonin production, known as the 'happiness' hormone and neurotransmitter that regulates our mood and sleep. When your serotonin levels are low, naturally so will your mood.

And what about our immunity? Our immune system is also influenced by our nutritional intake. Low levels of vitamin D, iron and vitamin B12 can debilitate your immunity, making you more vulnerable to getting sick. And, let's be honest...the last thing we can afford right now is to be walking around –'home'– with a weak immunity.

So why take a supplement? Because unfortunately studies have proven that the food we're served on our plate today is less nutritionally dense, and even if we make the effort of eating healthy and clean, we could still be suffering from nutritional deficiencies. And because it's okay to give your body that extra boost it needs to function optimally. Who wants to be tired, moody, stressed, sleep deprived and bloated? We don't! And that's why we believe in giving our body all the essential nutrients it needs to thrive.