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Understanding Supplements: What You Really Need
Trivia: What is the only U.S. national park that sits in three states?
RetireHub
August 01, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Friday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on understanding supplements: what you really need, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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On this day in 1981 MTV (Music Television) launched in the U.S. with the iconic words, "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll." The very first music video played? "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. The channel revolutionized music culture and became a defining part of 80s youth—and pop history.
Understanding Supplements: What You Really Need
Walk through any drugstore or scroll online and you’ll find shelves full of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements promising better sleep, stronger bones, a sharper mind, and a longer life. But do we really need all of them? The answer is: not necessarily.
For most healthy adults who eat a balanced diet, many essential nutrients come from food. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins typically provide the vitamins and minerals we need. However, certain groups—like older adults—may benefit from targeted supplements due to natural changes in the body over time. As we age, nutrient absorption may decrease, and our needs for things like vitamin D, calcium, B12, and magnesium may increase.
For example, vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium, which supports strong bones and helps prevent fractures. Sun exposure helps produce vitamin D, but many people—especially those in less sunny climates or with darker skin—don’t get enough from the sun alone. Likewise, vitamin B12, crucial for nerve function and energy, becomes harder to absorb as we age, making supplementation more important for some.
Still, more isn’t always better. Taking excessive amounts of certain supplements—like iron, vitamin A, or vitamin E—can be harmful, especially when combined with medications. That’s why it’s essential to talk to a healthcare provider before starting anything new. A simple blood test or a nutrition consultation can help determine if you’re actually deficient in any nutrients.
One common myth is that supplements are "natural" and therefore risk-free. In reality, they are lightly regulated and can interact with medications or health conditions. For instance, St. John’s Wort, often used for mood support, can interfere with antidepressants, birth control, and even anesthesia.
So how do you know what’s worth your time and money? Start with your personal health profile. If you're dealing with joint pain, glucosamine or turmeric might help. For sleep issues, melatonin or magnesium glycinate could be worth exploring. But don’t fall for blanket promises or buzzy trends—what works for someone else may not work for you.
Bottom line: Supplements can play a helpful role, but they’re not a cure-all. Whole foods and healthy habits should always come first, and any supplement routine should be thoughtfully tailored to your individual needs.
💊 Do You Take Dietary Supplements Regularly? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What is your favorite way to explore a historic city?
When it comes to exploring historic cities, our readers are all about walking! A guided tour with a local expert edged out the competition with 31% of the vote, closely followed by self-guided strolls using a map or app (30%). Hop-on, hop-off buses remain a favorite for a quarter of respondents, while just 1% prefer to bike through the past. And for the café lovers? 12% enjoy soaking up history one espresso at a time.
TOP COMMENTS
“I’ve enjoyed when a good guide enhances the tour.”
“I like the self-guided tours because if I should find a side street, building, or neat little shop or cafe that I would like to further explore, I can do so.”
“Love the trolley or bus tours-hop on, hop off. Relaxing way to see a city.”
Spousal Support & Divorce After 60: What You Should Know
When couples decide to divorce later in life—often after decades together—they face unique legal and financial questions, particularly around spousal support. Even in amicable splits, alimony (sometimes called spousal maintenance) may be awarded to help a lower-income spouse maintain a similar standard of living after the marriage ends—especially if one partner devoted years to raising a family or supporting the other’s career.
Importantly, retirement doesn't automatically cancel support obligations. In fact, courts typically treat retirement as a significant financial change—meaning the paying spouse can request a modification or reduction. Whether courts approve it depends on factors like the retiree’s age, source of income (such as pensions or Social Security), health, and whether the retirement was made in good faith.
Across many states—including California and Florida—laws now encourage more flexible, time-limited spousal support agreements rather than permanent payouts. Courts also weigh the length of the marriage, each partner’s financial situation, health, and retirement status. For example, some states cap support amounts based on income and tie duration to the length of the marriage.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Inbox zen
Meaning: A calm, peaceful state of mind achieved when your email inbox is tidy, organized, and under control—often with zero unread messages or only those that truly matter.
In a sentence: "Ever since I unsubscribed from all those shopping emails and started checking messages just twice a day, I’ve finally reached Inbox Zen—and let me tell you, it feels better than winning bingo night!"
Good News of the Day
Hero Shelter Dog Saves a Life—Then Finds a Forever Home!
Meet Sienna, a gentle 4-year-old shelter dog whose natural intuition made all the difference. At a Virginia adoption event, Sienna quietly approached a stranger named Josh, placed her paw on his leg, and wouldn’t budge—instead of chasing treats or attention. Moments later, Josh's wife realized he was having seizures and had missed his medication; Sienna’s urgent gesture helped prevent a full seizure.
Despite never being trained to recognize medical emergencies, this laid-back Labrador-pit bull mix showed extraordinary empathy and smarts. Her shelter shared the story, sparking a wave of adoption requests—especially from families touched by epilepsy. In the end, Sienna was welcomed into the Sweeney family, where her calm presence now offers comfort and companionship, especially to their son who also has epilepsy.
Stories like Sienna’s remind us of the incredible potential and loyalty rescue dogs hold. Sometimes, the greatest gifts come from the most unexpected places—and in Sienna’s case, the rescue turned into a life-saving rescue story of her own.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Who was the first openly gay elected official in California? |
What is the only U.S. national park that sits in three states? |
Which country has had the longest-running continuous monarchy in the world? |
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