Dietary supplements are products used to augment or supplement diet with essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, herbs or any other substance.
The FDA regulates prescription medicines, but not dietary supplements, so it’s up to you to choose wisely when selecting them. Look for products bearing either the US Pharmacopeia or Underwriters Laboratory seal and avoid those that contain potentially harmful ingredients.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds used by your body to perform numerous tasks, including maintaining strong bones and healing wounds, as well as turning food into energy. Although vitamins can be found in many food sources, those unable to obtain enough may require supplements.
An RDA, or recommended daily allowance, of any vitamin or mineral is the minimum daily consumption amount needed to remain healthy. Nutrients such as vitamins are vital in supporting your body’s development and maintenance processes – lacking them can result in serious health concerns that range from decreased productivity to deficiency symptoms depending on which vitamin it pertains to.
Vitamin B1 is essential to cell function and metabolism of carbohydrates, while also supporting proper digestive health in intestines and stomach. A deficiency can lead to pellagra. On the other hand, Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant protecting skin cells as well as supporting proper bone and tooth health – it promotes good mood as well!
Minerals
Minerals are essential elements found naturally, essential for human health and classified into two groups – major minerals or macrominerals) and trace minerals. We require greater amounts of the former such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium chloride and magnesium while smaller quantities of trace minerals such as iron zinc copper manganese iodine fluoride selenium may also be essential to our well-being.
These minerals possess various characteristics. For instance, some have an eye-catching shine when observed under visible light and can conduct heat or electricity; others possess unique smells, like that found in rotten eggs; still others glow under ultraviolet lighting.
Multivitamins or multiminerals combine vitamins and minerals in supplement form for those who don’t get enough from diet alone; some even include herbs or other ingredients. Multis may help those unable to obtain sufficient vitamins from food alone; however, research shows they don’t reliably reduce chronic diseases risk.
Herbs
Herbs are plants with fragrant, colorful or flavorful leaves that can add both flavor and health benefits to food. Herbs may be grown specifically as herb gardens (herb, spice or apothecary gardens) or used in regular flower and vegetable beds.
Herbal medicines have long been used as natural medicine, in various forms including dried or fresh herbs, extracts, tinctures and teas. Since ancient times they have been employed to treat illness. Herbs fall under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act which differs from drug regulations in that manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practices that guarantee product purity and strength.
Many herbs provide multiple health benefits; parsley is chock-full of vitamins (A and C), minerals and folate, while oregano has antiviral properties. Herbs and plants have also long been utilized in religious practice; for instance myrrh and frankincense were prominent elements in Hellenistic and Jewish religions respectively while Hinduism utilizes its leaves from Azadirachta indica (Neem), Aegele marmelos leaves used in Anglo-Saxon paganism and white Sage is commonly employed throughout history for such reasons as these benefits.
Homeopathics
Homeopathic products include sugar pellets placed under the tongue, drops, creams and ointments that fall under Health Canada’s regulation as natural health products (NHPs).
Homeopathic medicines rely on the concept that small doses of an effective substance can treat symptoms effectively, often so diluted that only water or alcohol from its creation remains. Homeopathy medicine makers employ various diagnostic tools in order to find an individualized remedy.
Homeopathic therapies have shown promise in relieving symptoms ranging from allergies and asthma to diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Professional homeopaths specialize in treating serious illness like cancer or autoimmune diseases with homeopathy treatments.
Health Canada has reviewed certain homeopathic products (such as nosodes ) to verify their safety, as well as to support any health claims with appropriate scientific references from textbooks used for practicing homeopathy. Homeopathic products should not be seen as vaccine alternatives and all recommended conventional immunizations must continue.
