Dietary supplements: sensible or not?
Dietary supplements: sensible or not?
dietary supplements: meaningful or not?
Dietary supplements are widespread these days and are viewed by many as a way to improve their health. But how sensible are these nutritional supplements really? Do you actually offer health benefits or is it a marketing trick? In this article we will deal with the topic in detail and examine the effects of nutritional supplements on our health.
What are dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements are products that contain nutrients that normally occur in our diet. You can be available in different shapes such as pills, tablets, powder or liquids. These nutritional supplements should supply the body with additional vitamins, minerals, trace elements or other compounds that can be important for optimal health.
Advantages of nutritional supplements
Dietary supplements can offer different advantages. You can help compensate for nutrient deficits that can arise due to an unbalanced diet. For example, if a person does not eat enough fruit and vegetables, taking a multivitamin preparation can help to obtain the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals.
In addition, certain nutritional supplements can offer specific health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil preparations, for example, can help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Vitamin D preparations can contribute to adequate supply in people with a lack of natural sunlight exposure and reduce the risk of bone diseases.
Risks and side effects
Although dietary supplements can offer many advantages, there are also risks and side effects that should be taken into account. Some dietary supplements can be toxic in high doses and lead to unwanted side effects. Excessive intake of vitamin A preparations can lead to headache, nausea and even liver damage, for example.
In addition, dietary supplements can have interactions with certain drugs. Some preparations can affect the effect of blood thinners or blood pressure -lowering medication. It is therefore important to obtain medical advice before taking nutritional supplements, especially if there are already chronic illnesses or medication.
When do dietary supplements make sense?
Most people can get all the necessary nutrients through a balanced diet. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and protein sources can provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and other compounds that are required for good health.
However, there are certain population groups that can benefit from nutritional supplements. Pregnant women, for example, need an increased amount of certain nutrients such as folic acid and iron. In such cases, nutritional supplements can be a valuable addition to nutrition to ensure that the need for essential nutrients is covered.Dietary supplements can also be useful for certain diets or lifestyles. Vegans, for example, can develop a lack of B12 vitamins, since these mainly occur in animal products. In such cases, taking B12 preparations may be necessary to avoid a defect.
How to select dietary supplements?
If you decide to take nutritional supplements, it is important to select high -quality products. Some points that should be taken into account are:
- Quality: Pay attention to quality standards and exams from independent organizations such as the TÜV or the German Nutrition Society.
- dosage: Check the recommended dosage on the packaging and stick to it. Overdosing can be harmful.
- ingredients: Read the composition of the nutritional supplements and make sure that there are no allergens.
- manufacturer: Find out about the manufacturer and look for reviews and experience reports from other users.
FAZIT
Dietary supplements can make sense to compensate for nutrient deficits or treat specific health problems. You can be a valuable addition to nutrition, especially in certain life situations or diets. However, it is important to take the risks and side effects into account and to obtain medical advice before taking it. In most cases, a balanced diet can provide all the necessary nutrients to support optimal health.
More about natural and healthy nutrition can be found in our advisory magazine ein-heilpraktiker.com