Nutritional products represent a multibillion-dollar global industry that spans all corners of the globe, encompassing pills, capsules, tablets, drinks and powders that may or may not contain false health claims; some even pose potential threats in high doses such as calcium toxicity which can cause nausea, vomiting, impaired kidney function and irregular heartbeats.
For your own protection, the FDA requires that information about dietary supplements is accurate and not misleading. To learn more, consult a health care provider and read labels carefully.
Vitamins
People spend $60 billion annually on nutritional supplements ranging from multivitamins and digestive aids to so-called muscle builders – yet not all products are equal, according to UCHealth Today.
Vitamins are organic substances found in small amounts in food that provide essential body functions. There are 13 recognized vitamins, such as folic acid and vitamin D; two such as A and D accumulate in fat tissues in the liver over time.
Folic acid (known as vitamin B9) is essential for pregnant women as it aids the production of DNA and RNA; various fruits, peas and legumes contain this vitamin; while there are also lettered compounds once considered vitamins that have since been reclassified (including the controversial cancer treatment laetrile).
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances with distinct chemical composition and an orderly atomic structure, typically crystalline in structure with various physical characteristics such as hardness, lustre, streakiness and cleavage.
There are two categories of minerals – major and trace. We require macrominerals (known as macrominerals ) in large amounts daily – up to 100 milligrams according to an ounce’s 28 grams). Examples of major minerals are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and sulfur; we also need trace minerals such as iron iodine zinc fluoride selenium in smaller amounts for good health.
By definition, minerals are defined as materials found naturally and cannot be produced artificially, distinguishing them from synthetic diamonds and precious stones produced in labs.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen bonded together into 20 amino acids that form 20 different species – nine essential for humans being histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine phenylalanine tryptophan and valine).
These amino acids combine in various ways to form proteins with diverse functions. Lysine can produce hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine that regulate our stress response, while threonine assists with fat metabolism.
Protein-rich foods like meats, fish and dairy products provide essential amino acid supplements. However, some individuals may require additional amino acid supplements due to physiological issues or diet restrictions – in these instances amino acid supplements can help maintain a positive nitrogen balance and thus promote muscle growth while improving athletic performance.
Weight Loss Supplements
Dietary supplements marketed for weight loss contain an array of ingredients, with scientific knowledge varying widely among these components and much further investigation necessary. Some supplements may help increase energy expenditure or act as appetite suppressants while others, like Chitosan (an extract derived from lobster shells, crabs and shrimp) may prevent fat absorption by the body.
Though dietary supplements may help support your weight-loss goals, implementing diet and lifestyle changes are the safest way to make changes that lead to lasting weight loss. Before choosing any weight-loss supplement, talk with your healthcare professional first as their regulations differ significantly from prescription or over-the-counter drugs; so manufacturers don’t need to demonstrate its safety or effectiveness prior to selling their product(s).
Herbal Extracts
Herbal extracts (or phytochemicals) are plant-derived compounds with many health advantages, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cancer fighting benefits. Furthermore, herbal extracts also have digestive, cardiovascular, and neurological advantages.
Herbs can be transformed into herbal supplements in numerous forms, including capsules, tinctures and glycerites. Each form offers distinct advantages; therefore it’s important to choose what works for you.
Tinctures are liquid herbs soaked in alcohol or vinegar to extract their active components, and taken directly from their bottle using a dropper, mixed into food and drinks or used to create healing elixirs, syrups or teas. Glycerin-based versions may be an alternative choice for those sensitive to alcohol.
