Nutritional supplements are food substances designed to promote or preserve overall health, such as protein and energy; or vitamins and minerals. They can help people meet their dietary goals more quickly or maintain them better.
Dietary supplements may help bridge any nutritional gaps, particularly during pregnancy when folic acid may be suggested as part of a healthy eating pattern. But it’s still best to focus on creating an overall healthier diet in order to meet all your nutrient needs effectively.
Vitamins
Vitamins are an essential group of nutrients for growth and cell functions, often found naturally in foods or taken as supplements. Some types of vitamins (B-complex and C) dissolve quickly in water without being stored by your body, so daily consumption must occur to avoid deficiency; fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and E) dissolve more slowly into fat tissue or liver cells and can therefore be stored longer term in your system.
Certain supplements, like folic acid for pregnant women, may be helpful, but should never replace a healthy diet of fresh whole foods. Furthermore, certain supplements may interact with medications so should only be taken on advice of a physician or dietitian. High doses of certain vitamins like Vitamin A may lead to vision problems and organ damage while an excess of Vitamin C could cause diarrhea in high doses.
Minerals
Minerals are found both in foods and the earth and our bodies require them for development and proper functioning, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and iron.
Vitamins and minerals work in harmony to keep our bodies operating at peak performance. Most people should be able to get all of the required vitamins and minerals through their diet alone; however, others may require extra supplements.
Some minerals are added to processed food products like flour and bread to boost their nutritional value and counter deficiencies, such as goitre prevention with salt addition of iodine and vitamin C in fruit juices to aid absorption.
There are various types of minerals. Macrominerals (requiring large amounts for health), such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium; others like zinc, selenium copper and chromium are beneficial in terms of overall health; iron helps produce hemoglobin that transports oxygen throughout your body while keeping concentration levels normal; Potassium supports muscle contractions nerve signals fluid balance while zinc plays an essential role in supporting immunity systems and gene expression.
Herbs
Herbs have long been touted for their purported health-promoting properties, yet it’s essential to keep in mind that these natural remedies have yet to undergo rigorous scientific trials and their safety and efficacy can often remain uncertain.
However, herbal medicines should be seen as supplements rather than pharmaceutical drugs – their claims may not always be supported by scientific data.
Before taking herbal supplements, it’s also essential to consult a healthcare provider first. Certain herbs can interact adversely with medications like heart, blood pressure and anti-cancer therapies, while pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid some herbal products due to possible risks they pose.
Nutraceuticals
Nutritional supplements are any product containing concentrated doses of vitamins, minerals and other substances known to have physiological effects. Such products may be included as part of a daily diet plan or for treating disease-related malnutrition; additionally they may be taken as ergogenic aids to boost athletic performance. Such supplements often feature in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and other nutritional ingredients that can provide you with additional vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, enzymes probiotics or probiotics and other essential elements. Dietary supplements come in the form of tablets, capsules, gel caps, tinctures or powders; unlike drugs they’re not regulated the same way – some even make claims about treating or curing diseases which require supporting scientific evidence before FDA bans it does unless scientific evidence supports them backed up by scientific evidence backed up by scientific evidence backed up by scientific evidence. When selecting supplements always opt for clear labeling and avoid proprietary blends which don’t disclose exactly how many ingredients make up each serving amount; this way ensure you know if any potential harmful ingredients could lurk hidden there in trace amounts within.
