Therapeutic Benefits of Foods
Food as medicine has long been part of modern medical tradition, as Hippocrates famously stated: ‘Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” This philosophy fell out of fashion during the 1900s as pharmaceutical drugs became available, yet recent scientific research has demonstrated that certain foods do indeed possess medicinal or therapeutic properties – these foods are known as functional or medicinal foods. Foods tailored specifically to meet organic body needs are known as functional foods, unlike standard nutritional or fortified food which tends to be consumed in smaller amounts and only exert physiological effects [2]. Nutrition can play an integral part in treating mental health disorders and therapy can assist with making necessary alterations for maximum wellbeing.
Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance
Manufacturers and sellers claim that ingredients found in dietary supplements can enhance exercise or athletic performance, often called “ergogenic aids”. Such supplements increase strength or endurance, enhance training efficiency, accelerate goal attainment more rapidly or reduce injury risks during intense physical exercise sessions more rapidly; in some cases they even help prevent fatigue during recovery after strenuous workouts.
There is no evidence to show that taking extra vitamins or minerals improves sporting performance unless the person has an identifiable deficiency (for instance iron). A well-planned diet should provide sufficient vitamins and minerals to meet all their needs.
Studies comparing arginine with placebo for the enhancement of high-intensity exercise have failed to demonstrate any benefit [2,3]. Supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E was associated with reduced aerobic capacity and running performance measures; perhaps because these amounts exceeded those set forth by the Food and Nutrition Board as Tolerable Upper Intake Levels.
Dietary Supplements for Disease Prevention
Dietary supplements may help protect against certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. By increasing essential levels of vitamins and minerals in the body, these supplements can ensure cells function more efficiently while also helping fill any dietary gaps that exist in someone’s diet.
Dietary supplements contain more than just vitamins and minerals; they may also include other substances with potential benefits, such as omega-3 fatty acids or probiotic bacteria. While not considered medicines, these substances do not fall under regulation like medicines do.
Supplement users tend to be healthier than nonusers; those who take supplements tend to report very good or excellent health, have health insurance, eat fruits and vegetables regularly, exercise frequently and limit alcohol and tobacco intake. This fact sheet from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider or serve as an authoritative source.
