Wellness supplements are used to address nutritional deficiencies, manage specific medical conditions, and enhance overall well-being. Common examples are glucosamine and chondroitin supplements used for relieving arthritis symptoms – although research into their efficacy varies widely.
Other supplements may help achieve specific health goals, like increasing energy levels during exercise or supporting mental balance and weight loss.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds produced by plants that the body uses in small amounts for various metabolic processes. Most people receive enough through diet, but pregnant and breastfeeding women, those consuming excessive alcohol, taking drugs or elderly individuals may require vitamin supplements for optimal health.
Wellness supplements contain vitamins, minerals, and herbs designed to promote overall health and wellness. Available as pills, capsules or powder, wellness supplements do not fall under FDA regulation and can make health claims without actually treating diseases or curing illnesses.
Vitamin C dietary supplements have long been touted as effective agents against colds. Not only does Vitamin C boost immune system function and decrease risk for infection, it also supports DNA synthesis. Vitamin C can be found naturally in various fruits and vegetables such as oranges, kiwis, berries, bananas, cauliflower kale green leafy vegetables tomatoes cheese meats plus fortified foods as well as drinks containing this nutrient.
Minerals
Minerals are essential components of our bodies’ nutritional makeup and vital for keeping us healthy and functioning optimally.
Minerals can easily be identified by their crystal form and chemical composition. Minerals are inorganic substances found naturally, not produced by living organisms, and must remain solid at room temperature with a defined crystal structure; liquids, gases or amorphous substances do not constitute minerals.
Magnesium supplements are one of the most frequently consumed dietary supplements, providing crucial support for heart, muscle and digestion health, digestion improvement and sleep aid. Iron also plays an essential role in helping reduce bruising as well as encouraging the production of healthy white blood cells.
Trace minerals (also called micronutrients) are needed in very small amounts when compared to proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Examples include copper, chromium, molybdenum manganese selenium. They can be found naturally in foods or used as dietary supplements in multivitamin/mineral formulas or taken separately as trace element supplements and are typically absorbed through our gut or intestines.
Herbal & Botanical
Herbal supplements have become increasingly popular over time, available at most grocery stores, health food stores, and pharmacies. But unlike drugs and other medications, herbal preparations aren’t subject to regulation like other pharmaceutical products are. No clinical trials have been performed to prove their efficacy either – therefore you should consult a state licensed healthcare provider prior to making decisions based on them.
Botanical supplements derived from plants have long been used to treat various conditions and enhance overall wellness. Typically, they’re less costly than pharmaceutical medications with less adverse side effects and reduced costs.
But herbal supplements are often not standardized, which means different batches could provide vastly differing health benefits. Furthermore, certain herbs may interact with medications and cause adverse side effects; to get optimal results it’s best to take regular dosage and monitor any results so you can see which works for your specific needs.
Supplement Safety
As opposed to prescription medications which undergo extensive testing before entering the market, supplements do not need to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for their safety or effectiveness before being released for sale on the market. Therefore, consumers must exercise extreme caution and education.
An effective rule of thumb for taking supplements is following the recommendations on their label or from a health care professional. Too much of any ingredient could cause side effects like gastrointestinal upset or nervousness; caffeine in particular can cause tremors, palpitations and jitteriness in users.
When shopping for supplements, look for products with third-party seals such as US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplement Verified or NSF International to indicate that they have been tested to ensure accurate ingredients without contaminants or proprietary blends or matrixs or complex. In addition, their packaging should include an easy-to-read Supplement Facts label and be free from proprietary blends or complexs that might obscure content.
