Dietary supplements represent a multibillion-dollar industry. Unfortunately, as with any substance we put in our bodies, they carry the potential risk of side effects or adverse reactions.
Supplements come in many different forms: tablets, capsules, gel caps, softgels, powders, bars and gummies. They may include vitamins (D and B12) minerals (calcium and iron), herbs or botanicals as well as amino acids.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic molecules (or sets of closely related molecules called vitamers) essential to living organisms for proper body functioning in small quantities. As our bodies cannot produce them on their own, vitamins must be obtained through diet.
Many people use vitamin supplements to meet their dietary requirements. Although eating healthily should supply most of the essential vitamins and minerals you require, sometimes there can be gaps in our diet – this is particularly prevalent among older adults, those living with chronic diseases, pregnant or lactating women, as well as during periods of gestation or lactation.
Supplement products contain vitamins that fall into two broad categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and can be stored by your body; examples include vitamins C and B. When purchasing supplements, look for those certified by the USP to ensure quality standards are being met and some companies test them before selling them to ensure customers get exactly what is promised on the label.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic solids formed through natural geological processes and must remain solid at normal temperatures and pressures (liquids or gases are not considered minerals). Minerals must possess an ordered internal structure with distinct layers that only occur naturally, possess a consistent chemical makeup (meaning all instances of any particular mineral possess the same makeup), display distinct properties like having cleavage surfaces that break off easily along the crystal lattice directions, as well as having other distinguishing features like having cleavage surfaces which break easily along their lattice).
Other properties that help distinguish minerals include their color, hardness, hardness, hardness, luster, streak, solubility, magnetism and fracture properties. Other distinguishing properties may include their hardness, color hardness, hardness luster streak solubility magnetism fracture properties or taste/odor; for instance halite which is rock salt can taste salty; some minerals fluoresce under ultraviolet light while some generate electric charges when pressure is applied – known as piezoelectricity.
Vitamins and minerals work best when consumed as part of whole food sources, as they form part of an effective combination of nutrients that are thought to reduce heart disease risk as well as certain cancer risks, like phytochemicals. Vitamin and mineral intake through food is typically better absorbed than from supplement products alone.
Herbs
Herbs are leafy green plants that can be used in culinary recipes, added as fragrances, or used as part of natural medicine regimens. Herbs should not be confused with spices which typically consist of ground down seeds, fruits, root bark, berries or the stigmas and roots of flowers (cloves).
Herbal supplements can be an effective treatment option for depression, anxiety and sleep issues; however, they may have adverse side effects and interact with certain medications.
Before beginning herbal supplements, it’s essential that you consult with your health care provider first. They can assist in selecting appropriate herbs to meet your individual needs while considering potential interactions between supplements and drugs as well as dosage or form considerations that could alter how effectively a supplement works, including dosage or form issues. In addition, they may provide safe high-quality herbs which require only moderate water usage for growth.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods will introduce its private-label nutritional supplements beginning September, according to Steve Ramirez, marketing manager for brand partners at Amrion, the company producing these products. Whole Foods employees (known as “team members”) will help promote these new offerings within their stores and throughout their communities.
Whole foods refers to natural, minimally processed food items which have not been altered with artificial additives or processed beyond recognition in any way, including fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, nuts/seeds/whole grains etc.
When selecting “whole food” products, look for short and easily identifiable ingredient lists and avoid those containing excessively sweet-sounding ingredients such as corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup. Instead, take note of any healthful additions such as molasses, natural sweeteners or stevia – plus check for “used as vitamin” which indicates the product contains whole food sources like kale or broccoli for its main source of vitamins.
