Supplements come in many different forms, from pills and capsules to powders, drinks and energy bars. Certain supplements target specific health objectives – for instance calcium+vitamin D combo to boost bone health or folic acid to prevent certain birth defects.
Before beginning any supplement regimen, always consult your health care professional first. They can tell if a supplement might interfere with other medicines you take or cause side effects.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances required by humans in small amounts for various functions, including disease prevention or strengthening immunity. People typically get most of their vitamins through food sources such as fruits and vegetables.
Water-soluble vitamins enter the bloodstream more readily than their fat-soluble counterparts, but those stored in your liver and fat tissue for long-term use such as A, D, E and K can build up to toxic levels over time.
Health care professionals may recommend dietary supplements as part of an overall strategy to mitigate certain health issues, like iron deficiency or osteoporosis. Supplements typically consist of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals like Vitamin C, fish oil, echinacea or multivitamins – it’s important to do your research first! Below you’ll find links that provide additional details.
Minerals
Minerals are substances found both in nature and food that our bodies need for growth and function. They include elements such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper zinc magnesium. Some minerals also act as antioxidants by helping prevent or slowing damage caused by certain forms of cell free radicals.
Minerals can be recognized by their color and luster, which describe how light is reflected off them. Their hardness is measured on the Mohs scale which includes 10 typical minerals from soft (talc) to hardest (diamond). Crystallization patterns or cleavage lines also help characterize them.
Halite, more commonly known as table salt, features excellent cleavage that makes it simple to separate into smaller pieces. Its taste resembles that of seawater and its salty texture are hallmarks of its quality. Selenium supports immunity by helping turn food into energy; some multivitamin/mineral supplements also contain herbs or other ingredients as essential elements for overall wellness.
Herbs
Herbs are edible plants with green, leafy parts that can be consumed or used medicinally. Herbs may be annuals or perennials and can be dried, smoked or made into tea for consumption.
People turn to herbal products as a means of preventing illness, treating symptoms or improving health. Unfortunately, herbs contain complex combinations of chemicals which may or may not work together to bring benefits; unlike pharmaceutical drugs which must undergo rigorous tests before being sold in stores.
Therefore, some herbal products make unsubstantiated claims or could cause harm when taken in large doses. It’s also essential to notify your healthcare provider if you take herbal products as some could interact with your prescription or over-the-counter medicines and cause unexpected side effects or interactions; Memorial Sloan Kettering recommends speaking to a health care professional prior to taking herbal supplements or vitamins.
Other Ingredients
Dietary supplements include multivitamins, minerals (such as calcium and iron), herbs or botanicals, amino acids and live microbials. They come in the form of tablets, capsules, soft gels gel caps powders beverages bars.
Some supplements contain ingredients not considered nutrients, such as gelatin (made from collagen extracted from the skin, ligaments or tendons of pigs and cows) or magnesium stearate (found in cocoa butter and palm oil) – typically included to keep pills or capsules intact.
Many dietary supplement products sold as dietary supplements must include on their label a statement that states they have not been evaluated by FDA and do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease – this requirement of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The National Institutes of Health encourages consumers and health care professionals alike to report any adverse reactions or serious illnesses caused by supplements; your identity will remain anonymously.
