Dietary supplements have never been more prevalent, yet safety remains a question mark.
Supplements come in many different forms, from tablets and capsules to liquids and powders. Their contents may include vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals as well as amino acids – many companies even choose to submit their products voluntarily to the FDA for increased scrutiny.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds required by organisms to function normally and remain healthy, but their body cannot produce sufficient quantities for long-term existence. Instead, these must be obtained through diet.
Vitamin A, C, E and Beta-Carotene are widely recognized for strengthening immune systems and combatting infection in the body. Meanwhile, Vitamin D and Folic Acid play an integral part in mitigating heart disease by managing homocysteine levels and decreasing risk.
Vitamin supplements come in various forms and can be bought over-the-counter or via prescription. Regulation for supplements varies based on product and manufacturer; some companies voluntarily submit to tighter controls by having their product certified by an outside organization; such products will feature the USP Verified mark on their packaging.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic elements found naturally on Earth and in food sources that our bodies require for proper functioning. We require major and trace minerals in large amounts (100 milligrams or more per day); essential dietary minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium sodium chloride. Trace minerals may be required in smaller amounts and include iron iodine zinc fluoride copper manganese selenium
Mineral intake is key to leading a healthier life+. Iron can be obtained through eating foods such as meat, fish, poultry and beans, while potassium can be obtained through bananas, fruits and vegetables, which all provide important amounts of potassium needed to regulate blood pressure, maintain heart rhythm and balance fluid balance in cells.
Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are products with additional health benefits beyond food sources. This term derives from combining “nutrient” and “pharmaceutical,” and it refers to any processed food or dietary supplement with medical or health advantages; such as beverages enriched with nutrients, vitamins and minerals or herbal products.
Nutraceuticals can play an essential role in improving overall wellbeing and helping prevent disease, making them an essential component of a healthy diet. Nutraceuticals play an essential part in the prevention of hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress as well as male infertility; furthermore they improve female fertility as well as improving cognitive function while decreasing risks such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Herbs
Herbs offer our diets a host of essential vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll and enzymes. Their addition can add a burst of flavour by replacing salt, sugar and added fat with more flavorful alternatives like herbs.
Herbs contain phytochemicals (health-promoting compounds), which have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent disease, reduce inflammation and even help fight cancer. Common examples include thyme, rosemary and parsley.
Herbs are tender green plants with soft stems without woody parts that usually complete their life cycles within one or two seasons. Used both fresh or medicinally, herbs include perennials like thyme and rosemary as well as biennials like basil and parsley as biennials; annual varieties like cilantro and mint. Herbs may be grown both in vegetable gardens as well as dedicated herb gardens for growing them to use either as herbal teas or sprinkled onto foods such as roasted vegetables, soups or stews.
Other Ingredients
Clean source products have quickly become the trendiest ingredients available today to support consumer health goals. These ingredients feature minimal processing and no contaminants that might impact on health in the form of pesticides or artificial additives; in addition, these ethically sourced and free from fillers and binders are what consumers crave in their nutritional supplements and foods; which explains why one quarter of global consumers now choose products based on health benefits alone.
