The Truth About Supplements: 5 Things You Should Know
What Do Supplements Do?
They could be spilling out of your medicine cabinet or lining the countertops of your bathroom If you’re one of the hundreds of millions of Americans who consume any kind of vitamin or supplement every day.
You may be trying to overcome a vitamin deficiency or reduce your risk of getting certain diseases– or you might feel more positive about your health after popping an ingredient that claims to boost your overall health.
In the past, everything from zinc and vitamin A Americans was taking vitamins and supplements in their diets for years. When supplements first became accessible in the 1940s, people were rushing to their local vitamin store, to stock up on these seemingly magical pills to boost overall health and overall well-being — and they never stopped.
5 Things You Need to Know About Dietary Supplements
- Supplements can be found in a variety of types.
“Whether in pill, powder or liquid form, the goal of dietary supplements is often the same: to supplement your diet to get enough nutrients and enhance health,” explains Jeffrey Millstein, MD, a physician at Penn Internal Medicine Woodbury Heights. They contain at least one dietary ingredient such as vitamins, minerals herbal extracts, botanicals, amino acids, or even enzymes. Many of the most well-known supplements are multivitamins (which can help you avoid taking a dozen pills a daily) however, they are also available as a standalone supplement. The most simple common denominator? They’re classified as supplementation for the diet. - Are supplements worth it?
There’s a reason why supplements are popular: sometimes, they are effective. “In fact, it’s illegal for companies to make claims that supplements will treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases,” says Dr. Millstein. Also, the products you buy from stores or on the internet may differ from those used in studies therefore, studies could be inaccurate. - Supplements can be dangerous.
In the majority of instances, multivitamins aren’t likely to cause dangers to your health. However, it’s essential to be careful when you take any medication into your body. In addition, federal regulations regarding nutritional supplements are not as strict as prescription medications. Certain supplements might contain ingredients not listed on the label and can be unsafe. Certain supplements are advertised as supplements for health, but they actually contain prescription medications and aren’t allowed in diet supplements. - Consult your doctor before you take any supplements.
Your first step should be talking about your options with your healthcare professional since the supplement’s effectiveness and security could depend on your personal circumstances and overall health. On top of that you should keep these guidelines to keep in mind when you select supplements: Use supplements according to the label and your healthcare provider’s instructions. Review the label carefully, which will include ingredients, drug interactions, as well as the percent daily value ( percent daily value). Be wary of claims that seem to be exaggerated, such as “completely safe” or “works better than (insert prescription drug).” Keep in mind that “natural” doesn’t necessarily equal “safe.” Maintain your supplements well-organized and away from children. - There is nothing that can match the nutritional power of a nutritious diet.
No matter what your aim is when you take supplements, one thing is for sure: they’re not substitutes for a nutritionally dense well-balanced diet. “Supplements are meant to be supplementary — meaning they enhance benefits already provided by eating a well-rounded diet,” explains Dr. Millstein. Supplements shouldn’t be used as a substitute for real food. Do not underestimate the benefits that a nutritious salad can offer in comparison to pills made in factories.