Health supplements are an increasingly popular industry. We all believe they can reduce our risk for noncommunicable diseases and help improve overall wellness.
As with any hype, it’s essential to remain skeptical. Since the FDA does not regulate this industry, manufacturers can make unsubstantiated claims such as “boosting immunity” or treating arthritis without proper documentation of how their product or nutrient works. Look out for structure/function claims which describe how nutrients or supplement ingredients function in your body.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential nutrients our bodies require in order to function and develop normally, and are found naturally in food as well as taken in supplement form to prevent deficiency or address specific health concerns.
Dietary supplements are products like pills, capsules, powders, beverages and energy bars that contain additional vitamins and minerals to support health and wellbeing. Although not subject to rigorous tests as drugs, dietary supplements can play an essential part in helping individuals live a better quality of life.
Vitamins offer several health and mental wellbeing benefits, including raising serotonin levels in your body and encouraging strong bones by regulating calcium and phosphorus intake, keeping teeth strong, and supporting normal pregnancy by helping with calcium absorption. As with any vitamin supplementation regimen, always consult your healthcare provider first before making decisions based solely on self-medication.
Minerals
Minerals are natural occurring solid substances with regular crystal structures and identifiable chemical composition. Minerals form through geological processes and may consist of single elements or more frequently, complex compounds (such as salt which is both a mineral and rock).
Minerals play an essential role in maintaining good dental and bone health. They transmit nerve impulses, produce hormones and maintain normal heartbeat rhythm. Magnesium, zinc, copper and iron all support immune function by helping manage systemic inflammation.
Our bodies require essential minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus as well as trace elements like fluoride, iron, iodine selenium and zinc for proper functioning. Food sources that contain minerals include eggs, green vegetables, nuts & seeds whole grain products dairy products as well as vitamin and mineral supplements which should only be taken at recommended doses without medical advice. Vitamin & mineral supplements typically pose no significant risks; however high doses should not be taken without first consulting a healthcare practitioner.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent or slow cell damage by neutralizing unstable molecules known as free radicals. Antioxidants can be found naturally in foods like fruits and vegetables or taken as supplements to increase protection.
Many news articles, advertisements, and food labels claim that antioxidants can protect against diseases like cancer, heart disease and vision loss; however, laboratory tests and large-scale observational studies (where people were asked about their dietary habits and health outcomes) have failed to show that eating foods high in antioxidants or taking antioxidant supplements actually reduced risk for these conditions.
Diet is the primary source of antioxidants. Furthermore, our bodies use different forms of antioxidants in combination, so isolated supplements don’t provide as many advantages.
Herbal extracts
Herbal extracts have become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medicines due to their longer duration, reduced side effects, and ability to improve overall wellness. Unfortunately, however, due to widespread usage, it can be challenging assessing their safety and efficacy – particularly those using traditional identification and preparation processes for herbal medications.
Solvent choice and concentration have a direct bearing on the spectrum of components extracted. Therefore, it’s crucial to compare chromatographic profiles from various herbal extracts before making your selection.
Liquid herbal extracts can be easily mixed with water or food to form tinctures or mixed into beverages to produce tea, as well as being used to formulate salves, syrups and essential oils that provide health benefits to a range of health conditions.
Stem cell oral therapy
Stem cells are multipurpose cells that have the capacity to transform into many different specialised cell types such as bone or brain cells, playing an essential role in tissue regeneration and repair processes, as well as strengthening immunity.
Many health supplements claim to contain or activate stem cells, yet evidence for such claims remains limited. Claims such as animal placenta stem cell pills may be untrue and misleading, since stem cells must be stored under very cold temperatures to preserve viability; otherwise they would be destroyed by digestive enzymes if consumed orally.
Certain foods and dietary supplements can help to stimulate stem cells and improve your body’s natural healing capabilities. Vitamin D plays an integral part in cell function and immunity, so look for it in salmon, mackerel, fortified dairy products and egg yolks for an abundance of vitamin D.
