Supplements
Supplements meaning
A dietary supplement is a substance that is taken orally; it is intended to add nutritional value to the diet. Dietary supplements can come in many forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids. I would go to a supplements store near me and pick up either of these forms. The most common reasons to supplement are to improve or maintain health, supplement the diet, support bone health (in women), lower cholesterol and improve immunity.
Type of Supplements – an Overview
The most common supplements consumed are multivitamin-minerals (MVM), calcium, vitamin C, herbals, fish oil, probiotics, vitamin D, glucosamine, collagen, and products for weight management, bodybuilding, and athletic enhancement. Sales of herbal and botanical supplements are on the rise. The most popular are turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger, echinacea, garlic, spirulina, ginseng, Gingko Biloba, St. John’s Wort, Aloe vera, and other energy-enhancing supplements.
The multiple sources of dietary supplements include fortified foods, bars, cereals, and beverages. These nutrition supplement products are formulated within the safe intake limits.
Supplements are added to meals or in-between meals to increase protein and energy intake or meet certain health purposes. Exercise caution with the intake of high protein supplements. Do not consume them rampantly without consulting qualified nutrition or diet professionals.
Do you need supplements?
The best nutritional strategy to promote optimal health and reduce the risk of chronic disease is to make wise food choices of a great variety of foods. For the majority of people, it is probably best to get antioxidants and phytonutrients by eating a variety of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. If food intake is inadequate, qualified nutrition and diet experts may add foods or supplements that are better accepted or tolerated. A qualified diet expert will record the food served and the amount actually eaten by the patient. This will help the healthcare professional accurately determine the patient’s energy and nutrient intake.
Visit a qualified nutrition expert. He/ she would do your nutrition assessment. This often involves noting down your food intake pattern, drinks, and supplements consumed – called the diet recall data. This personal dietary intake data depends on the economic situation, food availability, eating behavior, emotional climate, cultural background, effects of a disease, and the ability to acquire and absorb nutrients. An analysis of the dietary intake data gives a clearer picture of the nutrient content (macro and micronutrients). This nutrition expert compares this data analysis with the requirements. This helps him/ her to assess your nutritional gaps or deficiencies.
These requirements depend on the following factors:
- Age,
- Gender,
- Periods of growth such as pregnancy or adolescence,
- Presence of chronic disease or inflammation,
- The coexistence of stressors such as injury or psychological trauma, and
- Medical treatments or medications
Summary
The primary goal of consuming supplements should be to fulfill the nutritional gaps in the body which your current diet plan does not meet. This may prevent diseases and other lifestyle-related problems. Wise and right food choices come from guided professional advice. Almost all qualified diet professionals will guide you to eat the right foods from various food groups in the right proportion as needed by your body. You should consult a qualified nutrition professional to help you eat right and include supplements only as necessary.
Pallavi Pinge is a Clinical Nutritionist and Dietitian | Content Director & Editor for health websites | has a passion for digital health and enjoys promoting health and wellness. She’s the founder and director of Ambrosia Wellness, where she provides personalized nutrition counseling, education, and coaching to individuals with various health conditions. You can follow her on her social media channels below to stay tuned in with the latest in health and wellness | Health Blog | Contact her for appointments |
One reply on “Supplements”
Thanks for the post!