6 Ps That Provide Pleasing Benefits

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At various times this year, we have inserted into this space blogs based on a particular letter of the alphabet, listing supplements, herbs, nutrients, etc. that all begin with the same letter. This time, we present a pot-pourri of great supplements and products that start with the letter ‘P.' You might have heard of some of these before, while others might be underrated and/or undiscovered by you. Either way, we hope you will be informed and enjoy this change of pace in blog format. Each of the items included on this list provides a wide variety of benefits. Some of these benefits might be pertinent to you and your own health needs or relevant to a family member or friend. We listed them in alphabetical order. As always, speak with a healthcare professional before trying any over-the-counter products for the first time.

Pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid is the technical name for vitamin B5 and is extremely useful for your body's breakdown of various energy sources. It helps your body break down all three of the macronutrients that humans consume and get their energy from. These macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids (fats). Having enough of this vitamin in your system is also helpful in maintaining clear skin.

Passion flower

Passion flower is a plant that is very commonly used in the practice of herbal medicine, with its most common historical use being that of a sedative. It also might be useful for alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, and it could even aid in alleviating symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Note that passion flower's success is mostly anecdotal and is still the subject of scientific research as to its effectiveness.

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is a type of compound called a prohormone, and it has several potential benefits to cognition and mood. It occurs naturally in the body, and is a building block of steroid hormones such as cortisol, a key hormone when it comes to the stress response. Supplementing with pregnenolone might help remedy depression, improve cognition and memory, and even help mitigate anhedonia and other symptoms of depression.

Prenatal supplements

Prenatal supplements are something to watch out for if you or a family member are pregnant. A good prenatal supplement contains calcium, folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and a variety of other vitamins and nutrients. Folic acid helps encourage a woman's fertility and might lessen the chances of congenital abnormality. Calcium is vital for bone health, which is why maintaining a sufficient amount is very important for pregnant women.

Proteolytic enzymes

Proteolytics enzymes, also known as proteases, are enzymes that have a few different uses. Various types of proteases include bromelain and papain, among others. They are all important and useful to the body. Supplementing with proteolytic enzymes can promote proper digestion, and are especially useful to persons with digestive issues or other conditions that affect digestion. These enzymes are also renowned for their potential to encourage healthy healing of wounds, when applied directly to the skin.

Pyruvate

Pyruvate is a substance that might be useful for encouraging weight loss. It occurs naturally in the body when sugar is being broken down. Its potential for weight loss is due to pyruvate's effect on increasing the breakdown of fat. There is a diverse array of benefits sourced from the supplements in the list above. If any of these supplements resonate with you and your health needs, do some more reading on them, or talk to your doctor. It just might be the right decision for you and your health.