You have probably heard a lot about supplements, from ads about pure encapsulations in Supplement First, down to your friends raving about it for health reasons. Most of us are all familiar with supplements, having heard about them or used them ourselves.
But what are supplements, really? And what good can they do for our overall health?
What Are Supplements?
Supplements are available without needing a prescription, coming in tablet, powder, or liquid form. They also come in capsules, gelcaps, or soft gels. Common supplements would include herbal products (botanicals), vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes.
People take supplements so they ensure their bodies receive the right amount of nutrients for optimum health. As the name suggests, supplements exist to help supplement one’s diet to receive necessary vitamins and minerals to improve their overall health.
You can find popular supplements coming in a multivitamin (with multiple nutrients in one tablet to avoid taking a lot of capsules daily). However, there are brands like pure supplements that offer supplements containing only one or two major nutrients.
Here are the common dietary supplements you can find in groceries, pharmacies, and even online stores:
- Calcium
- Chondroitin Sulphate
- Echinacea
- Fish oil
- Glucosamine
- Vitamin D
- St. John’s Wort
- Green Tea
- And many more
The Benefits of Supplements
Why use supplements in the first place?
Some supplements offer assurance that our bodies receive enough vital substances necessary to function excellently. Other supplements may also help reduce the risk of various conditions and diseases.
Besides maintaining general health, supplements can also improve our immune system and support bodily performances, whether mental health or sports-related.
That said, you have to take note that supplements can’t replace complete meals that are needed for a healthy diet. This is why you need to make sure you eat a variety of nutritious food, too!
Unlike drugs and prescribed medications, supplements aren’t allowed to be marketed to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any diseases. Supplements shouldn’t make claims such as ‘lowers high cholesterol’ or ‘treats diseases’. Such claims can’t be legitimately mentioned for supplements.
While they do offer good effects on the body and make sure you receive adequate nutrition, you have to check with your doctor to see if they are necessary. They will recommend the necessary supplements to take and the proper dosages, as a high intake of certain supplements may end up harming the body!
So, who would benefit from dietary supplements?
- Women pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Senior citizens who require certain vitamins and minerals more compared to children and adults
- People who have restricted diets or food allergies, such as vegans, lactose intolerant people, or those who cannot digest or absorb nutrients well
Wrapping It Up
Various supplements provide excellent health benefits, as long as you invest in the right ones suitable for your health and condition. Before you do start taking supplements, do speak with your healthcare provider, who will advise you what supplements you need, along with recommendations to your diet.
