Diet complements are any food or dietary supplement added to one’s diet to meet a specific health goal, be it nutritional deficiencies, illness or any other condition. Diet complements may come in the form of food, minerals or herbs and combinations thereof; such supplements are often used to prevent or treat deficiencies, illnesses and other medical conditions.
At approximately 6 months, an infant’s energy requirements begin to outstrip those provided by breast milk alone and complementary foods should be introduced as soon as possible. When doing so, best practice includes:
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances consumed by our bodies for various metabolic processes. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining normal growth and development, maintaining good health, and the functioning of the immune system.
Biochemists recognize thirteen recognized vitamins. Biochemists divide them into two groups — water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins – each comprising of Vitamin C and its B-complex cousins as well as A, D, E and K respectively.
Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed through lymph channels in the intestinal wall. Since they cannot be stored, regular ingestion is required for adequate levels; any excess passes out through urine. Meanwhile, four fat-soluble vitamins are stored away in liver and fat tissues before being gradually released back into circulation as needed.
Minerals
Minerals, like vitamins, are vital to keeping the human body running at peak performance. Minerals are inorganic substances found naturally and found in food, soil and water sources. Their classification depends on chemical composition and crystal structure (how their atoms are organized); furthermore they are distinguished by how often and in which directions they cleave into flat surfaces – characteristics defining mineral classification.
Minerals can form through inorganic processes, like when rocks undergo changes in pressure and temperature, while others form through living organisms, like calcium carbonate shells on mollusks or corals or the hydroxylapatite mineral which forms bone and tooth enamel. Furthermore, “mineral” can refer to compounds with very different physical properties – like graphite from pencils or diamonds.
Iron
Iron is an essential mineral required by our bodies for hemoglobin production – red blood cell proteins which transport oxygen around our bodies – as well as carbon dioxide removal. Iron comes mainly from food sources; meat, fish and poultry as well as fortified grains like cereal are important sources. Other plant foods like spinach and beans contain non-heme iron which our bodies absorb more easily when eaten alongside sources of Vitamin C like citrus fruits or tomatoes.
Anemia occurs when your body lacks adequate iron for normal red blood cell production; those at risk include pregnant women, infants and young children as well as adults who do not eat meat or poultry, who lose blood, as well as individuals with genetic disorders like hemochromatosis which cause iron build-up within their system.
Carbohydrates
Carbs provide our bodies with energy. Once digested, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose (blood sugar) which is then used by cells, tissues and the brain for energy needs. Any excess glucose stored by liver and muscles for later use.
Carbs can be found in many foods, such as bread, beans, potatoes, pasta, sweets, soft drinks and corn. To get the best carbohydrates sources unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains vegetables and fruits are best.
Carbs play an essential role in maintaining overall health; certain varieties are healthier than others. Dietary fiber and natural sugars, like those found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are better choices than added sugars found in beverages, candies and desserts.
Proteins
Proteins are the building blocks of cells. Composed of amino acids joined together with peptide bonds, they play an integral part in cell growth, repair, immunity, and inflammation processes. Protein undernutrition may result in anemia, stunting, edema, muscle weakness, and impaired immunity – potentially life-threatening conditions for those susceptible.
Complementary proteins are foods that work together to supply all essential amino acids. An example would be grains and legumes (like wheat bread and peanut butter), as beans provide the amino acid lysine, which may be lacking from grain proteins; while nuts and seeds provide methionine which completes legume proteins. Therefore, eating an array of proteins including eggs, fish, poultry meats beans nuts seeds seeds whole grains is recommended to ensure an abundance of all the necessary amino acids are consumed.
