Since dietary supplements aren’t reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they hit store shelves, it’s essential that consumers search out supplements from reputable manufacturers who adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices and labeling regulations.
Medicare members can utilize nutritional products prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner to help meet their health needs, such as:
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances necessary for good health that the body requires in small doses to function normally and remain disease free. You can get them from food or supplements, though most people get all they require through eating a varied and balanced diet.
There are 13 recognized vitamins, divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble categories. Our bodies store fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D and E in fat tissue and liver reserves for long periods of time; on the other hand, water-soluble ones like B-complex vitamins or Vitamin C require more time to diminish from our systems.
Supplements are available for many different uses, from strengthening immunity to building strong bones and muscles. Working with a healthcare provider, you can select the appropriate vitamin(s), as well as how much of each one to take, while being advised about potential interactions between medications you are currently taking and vitamins you might take.
Minerals
Minerals can be found both naturally on Earth and in food products. Minerals play an integral part in how your body functions properly by helping transmit nerve impulses, contract muscles, release energy from food, and release nutrients into your system. Minerals can be divided into two types: macrominerals and trace minerals. Macrominerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium potassium chloride are necessary while trace minerals include iron zinc iodine copper fluoride manganese selenium are all required in larger amounts than macrominerals for proper functioning; while trace minerals include iron zinc zinc iodine copper fluoride manganese selenium to name just some examples of these elements found both naturally in nature and foodsta while macrominerals serve multiple roles within them both groups.
Most people can obtain all of their required minerals through diet alone, but some individuals may require taking an extra supplement.
Some minerals consist of one element, like carbon (graphite and diamonds). These single-element minerals are known as polymorphs because their structures differ. Other types are polytypes because their chemical composition remains the same but their structures differ; such as calcite (table salt) and forsterite. Minerals are inorganic substances formed naturally; however, synthetic counterparts that resemble their natural counterpart can still be considered minerals.
Herbs
Herbs and spices can add depth of flavor, aroma and color to meals. Herbs refers to leaves from herbaceous plants without woody stems; while spices include seeds, buds, flowers fruits roots bark or whole or ground dried plant parts.
Many herbs contain health-promoting properties and form an integral part of a Mediterranean diet, such as pesto, za’atar and chimichurri.
Thyme has antiseptic and antifungal qualities, making it great for respiratory and lung health, relaxing and soothing properties, aiding digestive health, as well as being easily made into tea or added into soups or casseroles.
Add fines herbes mix to a salad for an explosion of green flavor, or use it as the basis of an herb butter recipe. Fresh herbs offer more phytochemicals proven beneficial against obesity, heart disease and cancer; plus they have more flavour than dried options!
Homeopathic supplements
Homeopathy is founded on the notion that minute doses of certain substances can have positive results in small quantities. For instance, homeopathic remedies used to treat headaches might contain small doses of arnica (mountain herb), known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Although medical experts remain skeptic of homeopathic products’ efficacy, studies have demonstrated their therapeutic value; nonetheless most homeopathic products remain unregulated and production methods can vary significantly between manufacturers.
Homeopathic remedies may interfere with the body’s natural defenses and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, using them instead of seeking medical care could delay treatment and even cause more severe complications down the line.
Although homeopathy may be popular, there is no scientific proof of its efficacy for any medical condition or vaccination for infectious disease. Health Canada regulates homeopathic products as natural health products (NHP) with low risks and accurate claims.
