How Food Supplements Can Strengthen and Heal

Eat a variety of healthy foods

There are certain foods that will help people heal from injury or illness.  Studies show that foods high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin E, and Protein help with healing and strengthen the immune system.  The key is to eat a variety of healthy foods in the right quantities to derive the most nutritional benefits.

Related: What Are the 10 Haram Foods That Muslims Think Are Halal?

What foods are high in vitamins, minerals, and protein?

Vitamins, minerals, and proteins that help you heal and strengthen your immune system can be found in the following foods:

• Vitamin A: is found in meat, fish liver, apricots, cantaloupes, carrots, cheese, eggs, and leafy green vegetables.​​​​​​
• Vitamin C: is found in liver, mangos, milk, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, melons, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. ​​​​​
• Vitamin D: is found in milk products, egg yolks, liver, and fish liver oils.
• Zinc:  found in eggs, fish, legumes, liver, meat, milk, potato skins, strawberries, and peppers. ​​​​​​
• Protein:  found in dairy products, eggs, legumes, meat, poultry, and fish which help you build and maintain muscle, heal tissue, and have a healthy immune system.  Collagen is a protein that is found in the connective tissue and skin of animals.  It is mainly derived from pork skin but can be derived from poultry and fish. ​​​​​​
• Iron:  found in beans, nuts, and red meat.
• Vitamin E: is found in seeds, nuts, vegetables, oils, peanut butter, and meat.
• B1, B2, K, Niacin, B12, Pantothenic Acid, and Biotin: are found in liver, kidney, and other meat products and also can be sourced from non-meat products like grains, vegetables, legumes, and dairy.

Related: How to Read a Halal Food Label: What to Look for and Avoid

What if nutritional needs are not met through diet?

In many countries, food is refined, processed, and mass-produced. Refined foods like some flours, for example, are widely consumed but simply do not have the same nutritional value that whole grains straight from the source have.

Some people will grind their own grains and puree or juice their vegetables and fruits to enable higher levels of consumption and more nutritional value.  This time-consuming, expensive, and high-calorie option is not for everyone.  If you cannot meet your daily nutritional needs through diet, The Cleveland Clinic suggests supplementing your diet with vitamins, minerals, and proteins.  This can be in the form of nutritional drinks, tablets, capsules, and powders.

Not all nutritional products are the same. There are thousands of products on the market. Nutritional supplements vary in ingredients, processing, quality, and efficacy.  Before choosing supplements, savvy consumers will do some research and understand exactly what they are paying for.

Related: Eco-Halal: How Food Brands Can Market to Muslims

How do you know what is in the supplements and if they’re Halal?

In the growing market that includes vitamins, whole food supplements, proteins, and minerals, ISA has a process in place to investigate ingredients and sources for Halal compliance.  Once compliance is established, products will be certified and can carry the ISA Halal logo.  There are supplements like vitamins, minerals, and protein powder – which may require additional care to meet Halal compliance.  From protein bars to healthy shakes, to artificial flavors, additives, and colors, ISA helps ensure that all certified products meet international Halal standards.

It is possible to boost your immune system and ability to heal with food and supplements.  For the millions of people that consume supplements, ISA certification ensures that the ingredients are Halal in substance, processing, packaging, and storing.