Many of the vitamins and minerals our bodies require come from food, rather than from supplements regulated by FDA like they would be drug products.
Supplements come in pill or capsule form, although powders and beverages may also contain them. They do not possess the same level of evidence as drugs do.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic molecules necessary for maintaining proper body functioning. Since vitamins do not produce or synthesize in our bodies, consuming daily doses through food must be part of daily maintenance regimen. Vitamin supplements play an array of important functions ranging from helping strengthen bones to supporting our immune systems; fat-soluble and water-soluble are the two categories available to us.
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can be stored in your liver and fatty tissues for extended periods of time, while water-soluble vitamins cannot. Any excess will simply pass out of your system via urine.
Vitamins can be taken safely as directed, however taking large doses at one time could be harmful. Pregnant women should avoid taking high-dose supplemental vitamins without medical guidance.
Minerals
Minerals are naturally-occurring inorganic solid chemical compounds found in nature. They include inorganic elements such as iron (in steel) & copper, along with trace elements like iodine & zinc which are essential to human health.
The International Mineralogical Association has set guidelines that must be fulfilled for any substance to qualify as a mineral, including being solid at room temperature and possessing an identifiable crystal structure.
Crystal structures are the basis for how minerals form and display specific physical characteristics such as cleavage and symmetry. There are seven crystal families: isometric, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic and hexagonal. Further classification can be further divided up by groups like silicates & metallic minerals to allow identification & naming according to chemical composition and crystal form.
Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals have proven themselves as an effective alternative to pharmaceutical medications in improving health and well-being. Nutraceuticals may be taken either as supplements or part of one’s daily diet and have proven their ability to fight many different forms of disease including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, obesity and cancer among many others.
Nutraceuticals provide essential nutritional support, but sometimes it can be hard to get all of our necessary vitamins from food alone. Nutraceuticals offer medical benefits through nutritional supplements found in various forms like dietary supplements, functional foods or medical foods and help bridge the gap between nutrition and medicine, following Hippocrates’ philosophy that “Let food be your medicine”.
Herbs
Herbs are plants with leaves, seeds and buds which have medicinal uses. Herbs may be perennials like thyme, oregano and rosemary or biennials like parsley and annuals such as basil; sometimes even used as spices.
In general, herbs are considered safe when taken in small doses to season food; however, some can be toxic at higher dosages or when combined with certain medications.
Herbs contain beneficial polyphenols (the same compounds found in fruits and vegetables) which help combat cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Garlic, fenugreek and dill can help reduce cholesterol; yarrow may relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms and arthritis; feverfew is an effective migraine headache treatment; feverfew helps enhance immune function (see German Commission E monographs); feverfew can even enhance immunity (See German Commission E monographs for details) These herbs are commonly referred to as adaptogens or tonic herbs.) These types of plants.
Food Supplements
Food supplements are small unit doses sold as concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with nutritional or physiological benefits, sold over-the-counter as concentrated sources. Their composition, production and safety are governed by extensive legislation at both EU and national levels.
Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbal compounds or other ingredients packaged as pills, tablets, capsules, gel caps, powder bars or liquid. Supplementation helps meet the heightened nutritional requirements associated with demanding lifestyles or medical conditions.
Vitamin and mineral intake is typically sufficient in a balanced diet; thus additional supplementation isn’t usually necessary. However, certain populations or individuals such as pregnant women or postmenopausal women may require specific vitamins.
