Written by What are nutritional supplements?
Nutritional supplements include a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and herbs designed to add to the nutrients people get from food. When taken properly, nutritional supplements can be beneficial to almost anyone. For some people, supplements can be a useful way to get nutrients they may be lacking. Let’s talk about these essential health benefits of nutritional supplements.
In general, you can provide your body with almost all the nutrients it needs through nutritional supplements. Supplements, however, should not replace a full meal or a healthy diet, so be sure to eat a variety of foods. We recommend that healthy people get enough nutrition by eating a variety of foods in moderation rather than taking supplements.
For example, others may help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.
Essential Health Benefits of Nutritional supplements
Many supplements are certainly good for your health, the data varies a lot, and it is important to know which ones can benefit your health and which ones can be harmful. You may also benefit from taking a wide range of other supplements. Use supplements only if your doctor has recommended them. Essential health benefits of nutritional supplements include:
- Strengthens the immune system
Taking nutritional supplements helps strengthen the immune system. A weak immune system makes your body more susceptible to various diseases. if you’re struggling to eat healthy but are still deficient in some way, supplements can help. Some supplements can help ensure you’re getting enough of the important nutrients your body needs to function. Having a daily supplement helps to fix this.
- Helps the body maintain and repair itself
Consuming nutritional supplements on a regular basis can also help with body structure and repair. There are processes that happen throughout your life that can put stress on your body. For instance, your daily exercise. A failure in tissue repair and maintenance can lead to diseases, such as osteoporosis, which develops from bone loss that occurs as you age. By taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, you can promote healthy muscle growth and strong bones.
- Prevents disease
Taking certain types of supplements can also help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Many essential vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E, work as antioxidants in the body. These vitamins work to remove chemicals called free radicals that lead to oxidative damage to your cells. The National Cancer Institute says that oxidative damage to cells contributes to the development of cancer. Although studies on the effects of antioxidant supplements on the prevention of cancer in humans are inconclusive so far, getting a small amount of antioxidant vitamins can be beneficial to your health. Supplementing your diet with B vitamins will help prevent and even treat many of the effects of vitamin deficiency, including skin diseases, muscle damage, joint pain, and anaemia.
- Promotes good metabolism
After you eat each meal, your body breaks down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in your food and absorbs the nutrients that food provides for it to function optimally. Nutritional supplements such as the B complex vitamins boost metabolism and aid in nutrient absorption.
- Provides extra nutrients
Nowadays, we cannot get all the necessary nutrients in our diet for many reasons. Dietary supplements help prevent deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are essential for the proper functioning of the system. Supplements can provide you with extra nutrients when your diet is deficient or caused by certain health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, or chronic diarrhoea. Individual nutrients are available as supplements, usually in larger doses than regular multivitamins. Some of the more popular supplements are included in multivitamins (which can help you avoid taking a dozen pills a day), but they can also be purchased as stand-alone supplements.
Side Effects of Nutritional Supplements
Caution is required when taking certain nutritional supplements. This is because you can overdose on certain supplements, putting you at risk of serious injury and death. Furthermore, these supplements may interact with some of the foods you are eating or with your prescription medications.
You are more likely to experience side effects from supplements if you take high doses or if you take several different supplements together. Most nutritional supplements are safe if product directions are followed, but some nutrients may have adverse effects in high doses. Anyone taking supplements should be careful not to exceed the maximum dose, as studies have shown that taking too many vitamins can lead to health problems.
To further prevent any unpleasant side effects from the use of nutritional supplements, you should consult your healthcare provider first. They can help you determine which supplements will suit your needs. They will also advice you on how a particular supplement may interfere with your body and with other medications you might be taking if you have any health conditions.
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that taking more than the recommended daily intake of certain vitamin or mineral supplements in healthy people is beneficial.
You probably don’t need supplements if you’re a healthy adult who eats a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and fish. Healthy, balanced diets cannot be substituted with dietary supplements. A diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, adequate protein, and healthy fats usually provides all the nutrients needed for good health.
Read more: Complete Nutrition: Essential Nutrients Your Body Needs
It is also important to tell your doctor about nutritional supplements you are taking during treatment for health reasons, such as heart problems or high blood pressure, or if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is important to note that healthcare professionals can make recommendations about whether a dietary supplement interacts with the medication you are taking. Your first step should be to discuss your options with your doctor, as the effectiveness and safety of the supplement may depend on your individual situation and medical condition.
Dietary supplements can provide health benefits, but they can also pose health risks. Supplements can be harmful when taken in certain combinations, with certain prescription drugs, or before surgery or other procedures. In addition to healthy eating, active exercise, stress reduction, and working towards a healthy weight, supplements can be a great tool in your wellness arsenal. The Council for Responsible Nutrition also explains that even people who eat well can be at risk of a certain vitamin deficiency, leading to the need for supplements.
In conclusion, Vitamin or mineral supplements are not a substitute for a nutritionally balanced diet. While nutritional supplements cannot replace a balanced diet, they can provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients when used responsibly. The key is to ensure that supplements are taken in addition to a healthy diet and nutrient-dense foods. One of the main benefits of nutritional supplements is that they allow people to get adequate nutrients in the right amount.
