As the adage goes, you are what you eat. Eating healthy has got to be a top 2020 priority as healthy diets directly result in good physical health and psychological well-being. There is a vast range of nutritional supplements that can be added to one’s diet, which when combined well with the right foods could provide optimum nutrition. You can also read more on how to boost your immune system, using the right supplements for your body.
It can be tough for one to know what’s a fact or fallacy about health supplements and vitamins. Unlike in earlier years where dependence for nutrients was purely on food consumed, more people are now considering supplements as an important addition to their daily nutrient uptakes. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) places supplements under four major categories;
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
- Probiotics
- Specialty Supplements
- Sports nutrition Supplements
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
These are organic compounds that facilitate the functionality of cells in the human body. Most consumers of dietary supplements purchase products under this category. This said, a healthy body needs very little uptake of these from body cells on daily basis. An overdose of vitamin and mineral supplements may therefore prove detrimental to one’s health because most vitamins like D, E, K and Calcium are fat soluble- they get stored in body fat and are never ridded out of the body.
It is worth noting that despite the fact that vitamins and minerals contained in supplements are synthesized to match the exact chemical composition of natural vitamins found in food, one must not depend on them as a substitute or replacement for your normal diet as you will consequently deprive yourself of other vital vitamins.
- Probiotics
These are live bacteria that are beneficial to the body’s functionality. The human body houses both “good” and “bad” bacteria, and while many may think that all bacteria are bad, we sometimes get rid of bacteria (consciously through prescribed medication) creating a deficiency resulting in different health risks. The primary role of probiotics in the body is to aid in digestion by controlling gut movement facilitating efficient transportation of food through different points of digestive processes.
Naturally, probiotics are sourced from the foods we consume and yoghurt.
The Health Emergency Highlights #76 by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that despite researchers having not specified which supplements treat which conditions, probiotics have been used in treatment of some diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Infectious diarrhea and Diarrhea resulting from prescribed medications.
In general, these supplements are rarely reported to have any negative side effects. However, one must not take probiotics if suffering from immune system problems without a doctor’s prescription.
- Specialty Supplements
These are simply those supplements that are designed to cater for specific health needs. They are also heavily consumed and are mostly found as variations of different fish oil supplements that are majorly composed of Omega 3 and fatty acids. For instance, as aforementioned, most vitamins are fat soluble, hence, a doctor can prescribe vitamin supplements due to a natural deficiency of the same in one’s body fat composition.
- Sports Nutrition Supplements
Sportsmen and women who are actively competing highly depend of accurate dietary uptakes. This means that every aspect of this i.e amount of food, composition and when it is eaten, is calculated to the last nutrient. This is important not only for enhanced performance in training, but also facilitates fast recovery in the event of an injury. This has led to scientists genetically enhancing or modifying already existing supplements and vitamins to specifically cater to the needs of sportsmen. This explains why we come across products such as Vitamin B complex.
It is worth noting that unlike the common misconception about these products, they do not necessarily provide more physical energy or mental focus, but enhance one’s metabolic processes, ensuring optimal production and use of body heat and energy.
To conclude, supplements have their place in one’s dietary life. Be reasonable on both sides- eat a good diet and derive the natural nutritious benefits, as well as identifying what nutrients and minerals your body needs as supplements. If trying to address certain conditions within the body, it is best to first seek guidance from a nutraceutical specialist. Remember, you have a lot of control over your health, and a lot of it comes down to what you eat. Also remember that we do have vitamin and mineral supplements as well as immune boosters that can be of benefit to you. Free delivery is assured once you have placed your orders.
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