Dietary supplements are intended to supplement, not replace, your regular diet. They come in tablet, powder or liquid forms and usually contain vitamins and minerals in greater concentration than found in food sources.
Be wary that dietary supplements are not subject to the same oversight as pharmaceutical drugs and claims about their benefits may not be supported by evidence. Furthermore, overdosing on certain nutrients may have adverse side effects.
Vitamins
Many people use dietary supplements to prevent or treat certain health conditions, such as vitamins and minerals, herbs and amino acids. Dietary supplements come in the form of pills, gelcaps, liquids or powders and may be recommended by their healthcare professional.
Vitamins are vital components of living a healthy life. There are 13 water-soluble B vitamins and four fat-soluble A, D, E and K vitamins; since our bodies cannot store these vital nutrients they must be regularly taken in.
Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy skin, eyes, and hair. Vitamin D promotes bone strength by aiding calcium absorption. Folic acid provides essential support during pregnancies or fertility plans while choline ensures nerve cell health. All these essential nutrients can be found in various food sources; however, dietary supplements might be an ideal choice if prescription drugs impede absorption, or due to age or other circumstances prevent you from getting what your body needs from them.
Minerals
Minerals are solid substances found naturally, and can be recognized by their lustre, colour, hardness, cleavage, crystal form and ability to conduct electricity. Furthermore, minerals have specific internal ordered arrangements known as crystal structures as well as distinct chemical compositions which can be expressed with chemical formulae. Minerals tend to be inorganic although living organisms can produce them through inorganic processes (for instance in the shells of mollusks and coral or organically produced hydroxylapatite in human bones), while non crystalline mineraloids include materials like obsidian and opal.
Minerals play an essential role in maintaining health by performing several essential functions. Iron can aid the body by aiding red blood cell production to transport oxygen; zinc supports immune function by reading gene instructions; it’s also used for wound healing and relaxation of muscles. Furthermore, magnesium relaxes muscles for improved sleep quality and relaxation as well as calcium for bone health benefits.
Herbs
Herbs are green plants or dried plant parts (leaves, stems, seeds or flowers) with notable health benefits that are commonly used for cooking or herbal supplements/medicinal tea. Herbs and spices have been recognized by the FDA as being generally recognized as safe at concentrations typically found in food products.
Many people use herbs to strengthen their immune systems, prevent colds or flu, treat pain or reduce symptoms associated with indigestion and menstrual cramps, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and act as natural antibacterial agents. Unfortunately, not all herbs have been scientifically evaluated for safety or effectiveness; before taking any herb, always consult a healthcare provider first so they can help find one suitable to meet your individual needs and make sure it won’t interact negatively with any existing medications that you are taking.
Supplements for Special Needs
Before introducing any supplement into your child’s regimen, it’s a wise idea to speak to their pediatrician first. Children with special needs may require higher or lower doses than other kids of certain vitamins and supplements; Furthermore, recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) or Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) of nutrients are only guidelines, not mandates.
When purchasing a multivitamin, make sure it was manufactured following FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Most companies will indicate compliance with GMP standards on the label or website. GMP-certified products are routinely reviewed by an independent laboratory to ensure safety and purity, so if your child struggles swallowing pills it may be beneficial to choose something with liquid, gummy, or powder form as options. Make sure to inquire with your physician regarding potential interactions between medications and supplements your child is taking, such as SpectrumNeeds dietary supplement designed specifically to support methylation, gastrointestinal and neurotransmission processes commonly affected in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.
