Supplements come in all forms imaginable – capsules, tablets, softgels, liquids and powders. However, unlike pharmaceuticals and food, supplements do not need to be approved prior to entering the market and becoming widely available.
Vitamins and minerals help the body heal wounds, build bones, move muscles, and fight germs that make us sick. Gain knowledge about supplements so you can inform patients what they’re taking.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds required in small amounts for humans to perform essential functions and maintain health. Most commonly found in food sources in the form of easily absorbable molecules, humans produce some vitamins themselves while others must come from either diet or supplement. People with specific health issues or restrictions may require extra Vitamin supplements.
Vitamin supplements come in liquid, gummy or pill forms. When choosing a vitamin supplement, read its label to learn more about what its components include and in what quantities; additionally, be sure to consider its safety for pregnant women or children and any possible interactions between products you take and medications you are currently on.
Human bodies need 13 vitamins in order to function normally. Vitamin A plays a hormone-like role while B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid biotin vitamin B12 folate (also called folic acid) serve as coenzymes and are essential cofactors. Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K) can be stored in liver fatty tissues while water-soluble ones do not accumulate within; any excess is expelled through urine.
Minerals
Minerals play a critical role in maintaining proper functioning in bones, muscles, nerves and the cardiovascular system. You can obtain most of your daily mineral needs through diet. Many processed foods are fortified with minerals while supplements may also contain them. Minerals include iron which forms part of hemoglobin in blood that enables muscles to carry oxygen; magnesium which regulates muscle and nerve function while producing protein, bone and DNA; as well as Iodine which is found in some food items as well as available as a dietary supplement.
Minerals are solid substances with unique chemical compositions and highly ordered crystalline structures, and physical characteristics like hardness, lustre, streak and hardness are used to distinguish among them. Hardness measurements distinguish talc from quartz; for instance, talc is soft and easily scratched while quartz boasts hard surfaces with vitreous or glass-like luster whereas other attributes like cleavage direction provide important diagnostic features of its presence or absence in any given mineral specimen.
Herbs
Herbs are plants with aromatic or flavoring qualities used for flavouring food, medicinal applications, or fragrance purposes. Herbs differ from spices in that herbs come directly from plants; spices usually come from other parts such as bark (cinnamon), berries (peppercorns), seeds (cumin) or roots (turmeric).
Herbs can add flavour without increasing fat, sodium or sugar intake. Plus, herbs often possess health-promoting benefits! Herbs should be added towards the end of cooking for optimal flavor retention. Most herbs available as herbal supplements are also well-known culinary herbs, and can provide health benefits when taken in moderation or combined with other herbal products or medicines. Unfortunately, however, certain herbs can be toxic when consumed in large amounts; it is therefore important that consumers understand their effects before using these substances in food or as supplements.
Natural Supplements
Natural supplements can be an invaluable addition to a person’s diet. They can provide essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that may be lacking or inadequate from your daily food consumption. Most derived from plants, these natural supplements come in forms like herbal remedies, vitamin and mineral combinations or whole food formulas.
Plant-based supplements may be an alternative for individuals who prefer synthetic dietary supplements, yet it should be noted that even these natural options have the potential for harmful side effects – excess calcium can lead to nausea, vomiting, impaired kidney function and irregular heartbeat; excessive folic acid consumption may result in vomiting, dizziness or blurred vision.
Certain herbs may interact with certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, including St. John’s Wort which interacts with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and P-gp and may reduce their effectiveness. If any adverse reactions to supplements arise, it is imperative that they are reported immediately to the FDA.
