Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs and other products in pill, capsule, powder or bar form that are not subject to drug regulation.
Scientific investigations often begin with observational studies to compare the health status of those taking supplements with those who don’t, before proceeding to randomized clinical trials for further testing.
Vitamins
Vitamins are vital nutrients needed by our bodies in small amounts in order to function correctly and stay healthy, and can be obtained either through food sources or supplements. Most people should be able to obtain all their required vitamins by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Vitamins A and D play an integral part in human growth and development, and aiding immunity function. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects; women expecting should take folic acid supplement daily.
The vitamin family comprises both fat- and water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in liver tissue, while excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted through urine. Water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and the B Vitamin family must be consumed on an ongoing basis to avoid deficiencies and deficiencies.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances found naturally throughout Earth’s crust and rock formations, with distinctive chemical composition and crystal structures. Carl Linnaeus classified minerals according to his Systema Naturae into seven classifications: phylum, class, order, family tribe genus species.
Most minerals are essential components of human nutrition in large amounts, from maintaining healthy bones, teeth and blood to nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Minerals are divided into major (macrominerals) and trace minerals – with major minerals (macrominerals) being required daily in quantities of 100 milligrams or greater while trace minerals requiring much smaller daily dosages such as iron, iodine, zinc copper fluoride selenium being examples of major ones.
Most minerals can be found in various food sources. A well-rounded diet should provide most of what we need; however, in certain instances a supplement may be required.
Herbs
Herbs have long been used to enhance health and well-being. Herbal plants contain numerous health-boosting chemicals which may provide stress relief, reduce swelling, increase energy or even treat certain medical conditions.
Herbal supplements do not fall under the same stringent standards as medicines, meaning their labels cannot claim that it treats a specific health condition or undergo clinical trials before being sold as medicines.
Herbs include plants such as Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Levisticum officinale (lovage), and Petroselinum crispum (parsley), all known for their aromatic leaves arranged in terminal umbels of flowers. Herbs can be eaten raw as salad ingredients or used to season soups, sauces, breads and baked goods without adding fats, salt or sugars.
