Understanding the proper use and different qualities of a supplement can help you use it properly or not at all.
Supplements have become a large industry with many enthusiastic promoters. However, in all studies that show how certain vitamins and nutrients affect our body, taking supplements does not always give us the results we expect and expect. ..
“In my clinical experience, the benefits of supplements are most effective when tailored to the individual’s unique nutritional needs,” said Dr. Tamara Darag, a naturopathic practitioner licensed by the Minnesota Medical Practice Board. Says.
Darragh says getting expert advice from a knowledgeable provider can be important in any supplement regimen, given the various benefits and needs.
Such professionals can take into account a variety of factors, including age, gender, genetics, family history, illness, and lifestyle factors. It may also be wise to test for undernourishment.
The value of the dollar
There are so many different types of supplements available and new ones are on the market every day beyond expert advice, but choose safe and high quality products that may actually bring some benefits. How can I be sure that I am doing this?
One way to check product quality is to look for products that have been tested by an independent third party such as ConsumerLab, NSF, Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG). Third-party testing is not required by law, but some manufacturers choose to test their products third-party as a sign of their commitment to quality and transparency.
These independent groups test for illegal substances, verify that the ingredients on the label are actually in the bottle, test the efficacy of the product, and list the results. (COA) will be provided. Some manufacturers, such as Nutrigold, offer COA for their products so that consumers can easily access them via their website or the QR code on the product label.
Unlike prescription drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the safety or quality of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Instead, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that safety standards are met and that the supplement actually contains the ingredients and potency listed on the label.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health, a 2012 government survey found that 20% of supplements sold for weight loss or support for the immune system make illegal claims on the label. The FDA has also found prescription drugs in thousands of products sold as dietary supplements.
The FDA plays several roles. We may inspect supplement manufacturing facilities and monitor reports of adverse events submitted by the company itself, health care professionals, or consumers. Distributors also prohibit supplement manufacturers from making false claims or exaggerating the effectiveness of their products.
However, the science itself can be uncertain because the human body is so complex and people are so different from each other.
Research results on the safety and efficacy of many supplements are mixed and often inconsistent, and certain nutrients can pose serious health risks or are highly toxic. Therefore, it is important to consult with a trusted healthcare provider about your individual nutritional needs and purchase supplements from a trusted manufacturer. Take the hype about health claims with healthy skepticism. Words such as “natural,” “standardized,” “clean,” and “verified” do not guarantee quality.
Strictly supplement
According to Darragh, the quality of supplements depends on a variety of factors, including the quality and purity of raw materials, the formulations used, the inclusion or exclusion of unwanted fillers and dyes, and quality control during the manufacturing process.
An important thing to keep in mind is that dietary supplements, by definition, are intended to “supplement” the nutrients supplied through the diet, not to replace them. Many health professionals believe that for most healthy people, all the nutrients they need for good health should be available through a variety of nutritious diets.
According to the FDA, supplements are products that are taken orally and contain one or more “dietary ingredients.” Although technically neither food nor medicine, it can contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plants (plant derivatives), or living microorganisms (such as probiotics). Supplements can also include a combination of these ingredients.
Dietary supplements can be a powerful tool for the health and wellness of people who may need to fill nutritional gaps. And with careful selection and use, it can play an important role in promoting the health and wellness of many. But they are not a panacea that some promoters, marketers, and so-called experts advertise them.
There are conditions that may require additional nutritional support from supplements. People with malnutrition or poor absorption may need supplements to meet all nutritional needs.
Vegans may benefit from supplementation with vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal foods. It may also benefit pregnant or lactating women who have an increased need for nutrition, and women who have limited access to healthy foods.
Inside story
Dietary supplements can be “natural” in the sense that they are taken from either leaves, roots, or other substances found in nature, but that does not mean that they are risk-free. It is important to be careful. The same applies to those synthesized in more industrial processes.
Herbs and other plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years around the world, but the dietary supplements we know today have only become prominent in the last century.
It was in 1912 that scientists began to discover that the world of nutrients contained more than the main nutrients of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Over the next few decades, it was discovered that the number of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients gradually increased. These nutrients were gradually separated and extracted immediately after being synthesized in the lab. Since then, they have been commercialized.
Decades of progress have moved the dietary supplement industry from an ambiguous state to a ubiquitous state. The Responsible Nutrition Council, which conducts an annual consumer survey on dietary supplements, found that the latest results from 2021 show that supplement use is new and that 4 out of 5 Americans have some dietary supplement. Reported that it showed that it was using.
And that shift comes with risks.
Problems and problems
Because supplements are a concentrated form of certain compounds, they can be overdose by overdose, either short-term or long-term.
For example, a study published at the Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin on December 22, 2016, showed that excessive amounts of vitamin A impair bone health and increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
And beyond the big differences in supplement quality, the simple fact is that the body may not be able to effectively use certain vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements. They may need to be taken when other nutrients, fiber, or certain biological conditions are met. This means spending a lot of money on supplements and getting little or no results.
Several other studies have found that taking various supplements such as folic acid, retinol, and multivitamins may not help prevent the disease, or it may actually have a detrimental effect. Also, according to the FDA, some supplements can adversely affect prescription drugs. Others interfere with laboratory tests and can have dangerous effects during surgery.
One of the most popular forms of supplements is multivitamins. And while taking multivitamins daily may not hurt, there isn’t much evidence that it works. As the National Center for Complementary and Integrated Hygiene of the National Institutes of Health states on its website, “Most studies show that taking multivitamins can lead to longer lives, slower cognitive decline, cancer, and heart disease. , Shows that it does not reduce the chances of getting diabetes. “
“I wish I had a magical supplement’insurance policy’, but in reality health is very complicated,” said Mr. Dollarg.
“Dietary supplements can be part of this quest to prevent illness and health problems, but I think they are very important. They are a nutritious diet, It works best when taken as part of an overall plan consisting of daily habits that include, but are not limited to, exercise, sleep, stress resilience, balance, joy, and community. “
Zrinka Peters has been writing professionally for over a decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Simon Fraser University and has appeared in various printed and online publications such as Health Digest, Parent.com, Today’s Catholic Teacher and Education.com.
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