Health supplements are not just for people who have special dietary requirements. They can also be very useful to those who don’t eat properly or who don’t have the time to prepare nutritious meals. Some people prefer to take health supplements instead of eating healthy food like vegetables and fruits.
The primary function of health supplements is to increase the amount of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium in our bodies. These substances are essential for maintaining health and for preventing osteoporosis, a common bone disease that leads to fractures. A daily supplement may contain vitamins and minerals essential to maintain good health. However, a person can also get these substances from animal sources, such as milk, eggs, fish, poultry, and cheese.
Scientists have conducted scientific studies to determine the harmful effects of consuming various health supplements. The results show that most supplements cause some type of negative effects, including increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, digestive problems, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. These symptoms can be severe if they occur frequently. Some scientific evidence indicates that long-term use of certain pharmaceuticals can lead to cancer and other illnesses.
Health supplements should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. Health experts advise that health supplements be taken with a balanced diet alone. Most nutritional supplements contain certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and botanicals that can be found in fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Taking a supplement that contains all these elements minus one will not increase your nutrient intake significantly. The nutrient loss from a supplement cannot even come close to the value provided by a healthy diet alone.
Health experts advise that health supplements also be used in conjunction with a healthy diet. Health experts suggest that people who are planning to take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement should first eat foods that contain at least five percent of the recommended daily value (DV or mpD) of each vitamin. Foods that naturally contain a high amount of vitamin C, including oranges, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and kiwi fruit are good sources of vitamin C. Since orange and red bell peppers are rich sources of vitamin A, another vitamin commonly found in fruits and vegetables, consuming a food that is rich in vitamin A can further increase the absorption of the health supplements.
There are three major classifications of vitamins: fat soluble, water soluble, and organic. Fat soluble vitamins can be converted into cholesterol and are essential for health. Water soluble vitamins are not soluble in fat and must be taken in through the digestive system. Health experts recommend that a daily limit of vitamins be met with a multivitamin, as there are four different classes of vitamins, namely the organic classification, the whole foods vitamins, the provitamin, and the mineral vitamins. The recommended daily allowance of each vitamin is detailed on the Food Pyramid Guide.
To ensure the proper use of health supplements, it is important to read the label of ingredients. Look for a list of ingredients that indicate if the product contains fish oil, alpha lipoic acid, chondroitin S, D-limonene, allantoin, and other herbs and natural compounds. It is also important to read the Supplement Safety Information. This should include the manufacturer’s manufacturing code, as well as key safety data. For those who suffer from diseases and conditions, it is important to consult with their doctor before taking any health supplement.
For individuals with particular dietary needs, it is necessary to ensure that health supplements are compatible with the dietary requirements. It is also important to read the label of ingredients carefully. Some harmful ingredients can be found on certain health supplements.
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