Dietary supplements are an increasingly popular means of providing essential vitamin and mineral nutrients, including multivitamin-mineral products; vitamins A, D, E and K; minerals; herbs or botanicals; amino acids and enzymes.
Due to their widespread use, supplements must be included in diet analyses. This can be accomplished using 24-hour recalls and food records.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals play an essential role in human health. A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats provides most of these vital vitamins and minerals for our bodies to function at their optimal level.
However, some individuals may require vitamin or mineral supplements for health reasons. Our bodies can only store so much of a particular nutrient; exceeding the safe upper intake level (UL) could have adverse health consequences.
Fat-soluble vitamins like carotene, tocopherol and vitamin A are particularly crucial to overall good health; supplement use to meet their requirements is highly advised. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium potassium iron and zinc minerals are equally crucial; supplement use has been found to significantly decrease prevalence of inadequate total micronutrient intakes (diet plus supplements) among women in this study and this trend was especially noticeable among men; supplement usage also significantly lowered prevalence rates for inadequate calcium, folic acid and vitamin D intakes among both groups of adults.
Herbs and botanicals
Herbs and botanicals are plant parts (leaves, flowers, seeds, bark roots twigs or roots) used to promote health. They may be taken alone or combined with pharmaceutical drugs for maximum effect.
Botanicals are commonly sold as dietary supplements and are subject to different regulations than prescription pharmaceutical drugs.
Dosage and formulation can affect the safety of botanical preparations. A cup of tea typically contains less of an herb than does a bottle of tincture or pill made with dry extract; in addition, its potency may differ between batches.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommends speaking to your physician prior to taking any herbal or botanical products as many aren’t tested for safety or effectiveness. Before taking any herbs or botanicals, be sure to inform them as these might interact with other medications, including cancer treatments. Also keep an eye out for side effects like upset stomach or sleepiness as some herbs could have adverse reactions such as this.
Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are an emerging segment of healthcare that can assist with medical treatments or promote preventative health measures, yet often struggle to be integrated into existing healthcare systems due to looser regulations than pharmaceuticals.
Nutraceuticals are food products designed to enhance or support overall wellness, such as supplementing essential vitamins and minerals intake or providing antioxidant protection from oxidative stress. Furthermore, nutraceuticals may even treat or cure certain diseases.
These products may include nutrients, herbal extracts, spices and other ingredients; concentrated sources of nutrients such as polyunsaturated fats (fish oil), peptides probiotics probiotics probiotics probiotics carotenoids proteins; genetically engineered products may also fall under this classification; however the FDA requires all dietary supplements contain a disclaimer stating they have not been evaluated by them and shouldn’t be used to diagnose or treat disease; this makes dietary supplements different than pharmaceutical medications, which have rigorous clinical trials backing claims of improving or curing diseases.
Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements are substances taken to improve one’s health. This may include vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids in tablet, capsule, gel cap form or powders and liquid forms; such dietary supplements may be taken when necessary due to diet restrictions or conditions like low iron or vitamin D deficiency.
Dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but unlike drugs they do not need to undergo extensive testing processes. Instead they fall under food regulation standards that enforce general nutrition, safety, labeling and manufacturing requirements.
Before taking any dietary supplement, always consult with a medical provider first. They can advise whether the supplement is right for you and provide appropriate doses, while also providing helpful resources where to purchase these supplements from.
