Health supplements are compounds designed to aid the functioning of one’s body and include vitamins, minerals and herbs.
Folic acid is one of the many health supplements that can help prevent birth defects, while Vitamin D supports strong bones.
Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements, consisting of vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances that can be consumed to promote health benefits, come in many forms including pills, capsules, gel caps, powders and beverages. Although regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), dietary supplements do not undergo rigorous testing like pharmaceutical drugs do.
Supplements may be useful if your diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals. Pregnant women require folic acid for gestation, while calcium and vitamin D help build strong bones.
Dietary supplements don’t seem to help protect against diseases like cancer and heart disease; in fact, most experts consider them unlikely to do so and can even present health risks when taken in excess. It is wise to discuss any changes or supplements with your healthcare provider prior to taking any dietary supplements and report any that cause adverse reactions or illness directly to the FDA.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are vital nutrients, playing key roles in maintaining overall body health. Most people get enough through eating a varied diet; however, others may need supplements.
Vitamin supplements may be helpful to pregnant women, those with specific medical conditions and those on restricted diets; however, excessive doses of certain vitamins such as Vitamin A may cause diarrhoea while excessive levels of Vitamin C could suppress immune function.
Select a multivitamin/mineral supplement that meets your recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). Avoid megadose supplements which exceed this amount as these may not only be unnecessary but could potentially be harmful.
Herbs
Numerous herbs such as parsley are excellent sources of essential vitamins. Sage and turmeric also contain powerful antioxidant properties which may provide relief for inflammation-related conditions.
Before beginning using herbs for any health purpose, it is important to carefully consider why and if they will fit with your health goals. In addition, make sure any interactions exist with prescription drugs, and ensure you use an established herbal practitioner.
Herbs can be taken in various forms: tinctures, teas or tisanes, poultices, powders or capsules. Tinctures are the most potency form of herb therapy and have been found effective against depression, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis and premenstrual syndrome.
Herbs can be harvested wild-foraging or farmed, but for optimal quality herbs the best way is through an experienced herbal practitioner. A professional can recommend the appropriate herb type and ensure you’re using it effectively; additionally they may teach how to harvest or grow herbs at home and offer guidance for how best to consume them.
Supplements for specific health conditions
Although dietary supplements aren’t approved by the FDA to treat specific conditions, studies have revealed their beneficial properties. To get accurate advice about whether one might be helpful for you, speak to your physician.
He or she can assess for safety and add any supplemental medicines you take to your medical record.
Observational studies can be an excellent way of studying associations between supplements and health conditions. To effectively use them, researchers must collect baseline information about medical conditions and diet so they can be controlled for in statistical analyses. If a supplement is used to treat preclinical or comorbid medical conditions that might appear as increased disease risks in observational data – for instance vitamin E use has been linked with coronary artery disease risk factors like hypercholesterolemia and hypertension while calcium can cause acid reflux symptoms that lead to frequent acid reflux attacks and indigestion.
