Facts and Figures about Dietary Supplements
photo credit: A. BelaniIf you are wise, you do your best to eat a healthy-well balanced diet. But some people are more prone to food allergies than others (maybe lactose intolerant or allergic to wheat), and other choose a eating style that might be devoid of certain foods (vegetarians or vegans). You have no doubt heard of various types of dietary supplements, but how do you know what is safe and appropriate for you and your diet?
What is a Dietary Supplement?
According to the National center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, a dietary supplement has to meet the following criteria:
- It is a product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet and that contains one or more of the following: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, or any combination of the above ingredients.
- It is intended to be taken in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form.
- It is not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.
- It is labeled as being a dietary supplement.
The first criteria really casts a wide net as far as what can be considered a dietary supplement, and it is always a good idea to consult your doctor when considering adding anything extra to what you regularly consume.
Types of Dietary Supplements and Their Functions
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that are intended to serve a specific purpose in the body and affect your health in certain ways. For example, vitamin A supports vision and bone growth, and vitamin E helps to strengthens the immune system and repair DNA. If you are vitamin and mineral deficient, that can impair the body’s ability to heal and protect itself. It should be stated that taking vitamin and mineral supplements in no way replaces the vitamins that be found through diet-i.e. in things like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Herbal supplements are different from vitamin and mineral supplements because they are supposed to have medicinal values. Herbs, or botanicals, are one of civilization’s oldest health care remedies, and are the basis of many modern medicines. Primitive and ancient cultures depended on herbs for healing the sick, and the contemporary cultures around the world continue to do so today. The World Health Organization has estimated that 80% of the world’s population continues to use traditional therapies, the majority of which are derived from plants.
Outline of Well Known Dietary Supplements
- Calcium. This is a very important supplement for women and the elderly to consider taking. Some diets can be calcium deficient, especially if you avoid dairy products, and a lack of calcium in your body can lead to brittle and fragile bones. This is obviously a concern for the elderly population, who can be prone to bone breaks with aging, and women tend to have weaker bones than men across the board. Calcium isn’t something to be taken willy-nilly, however, as it can cause constipation and possibly increased risk of urinary stone formation.
- Vitamin C. This supplement can be found everywhere, and you’ll often find people fending off colds popping Vitamin C like they were LifeSavers. While Vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system, it can cause diarrhea and urinary tract abnormalities when taken in excess.
- Ginseng. An herbal supplement, ginseng is purported to increase physical and mental endurance, boost energy, normalize body functions, reduce cholesterol, and help prevent cancer. As with the other supplements, there can be too much of a good thing. Ginseng can cause changes in your blood pressure, sleep loss, and anxiety.
It is crucial to do as much research as possible when considering taking any type of dietary supplement. One paper or website might trumpet the benefits of a certain pill, but they may not be disclosing the potential dangers. Read up on anything you are interested with taking and discuss it with your doctor before visiting your local health food store.
Tags: dietary supplements, health care, health insurance, herbal remedies, minerals, vitamins
May 6th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
It is important that you move your bowel regularly, fiber rich diet helps prevent constipation. “