A dietary supplement must be proven unsafe before the FDA will remove it from store shelves. Therefore, it is up to you as the consumer to become a savvy supplement shopper in order to make informed choices that enhance your health!
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) defines a dietary supplement as a product tha t:
- supplements the food you eat;
- contains one or more dietary ingredient (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids, and other substances);
- comes in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form; and
- is labeled as a dietary supplement.
There are different types of dietary, or nutritional, supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements are types of dietary supplements containing micronutrients meant to help a healthy body function smoothly. Herbal (or botanical) supplements are dietary supplements that have a medicinal purpose. Herbal supplements generally support a specific area of the body’s health, such as the liver, bones or skin.
Health benefits of vitamin and mineral supplements
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that serve a specific purpose and benefit the body in a unique way. For example, vitamin A supports vision and bone growth, whereas vitamin E strengthens the immune system and helps repair DNA. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can impair the body’s ability to heal and protect itself.
Taking vitamins does not make up for an unhealthy diet, and vitamins are an insufficient substitute for nutrients from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but a general multivitamin and mineral supplement can be a good safeguard.
In general, children and adults might benefit from taking one multivitamin per day. A multivitamin helps provide a consistent source of the necessary vitamins and micronutrients. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "a daily multivitamin, and maybe an extra vitamin D supplement, is a great way to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need to be healthy."
However, the very first consideration is to eat a healthy diet. Even the best supplement is no substitute for good nutrition. In general most Americans consume foods that are high in calories, but lack nutrients that are vital for good health.
The George Mateljan Foundation has created a list of the world’s healthiest foods. These foods are nutrient-dense, whole foods that are readily available, economical, and tasty – so there’s few excuses not to enjoy them! You can get most of the vitamins and mineral you need simply by eating a few choice foods. For example, one cup of steamed broccoli will provide you with more than 50% of your daily recommended amount of Vitamins C, K, and A, and high amounts of folate and fiber. Add some baked salmon, and you’ll get over half your RDA of Vitamin D, protein, B vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids. That’s one nutrient-packed meal!
Some groups of people, because of distinct nutritional needs, especially benefit from taking a vitamin and mineral supplement :
- Women of childbearing age (need extra calcium and iron)
- Pregnant or lactating women
- Children and teenagers with irregular eating habits
- Seniors
- Vegetarians or vegans (may be deficient in key nutrients)
- Dieters or people avoiding certain food groups (may be deficient in key nutrients)
- People with eating disorders or medical conditions (deficiency diseases, absorption problems, lactose intolerance, etc.)
- People who eat processed and fast food often
Good Nutrition: The First Step
Whole foods rich in micronutrients such as fruits and vegetables grown using sustainable farming practices are the best choice for vitamin-rich foods. However, vitamins are only one part of a healthy diet. Eating the right combination of fats, carbohydrates and protein, and learning smarter eating habits, can help you ensure a nutritious diet.See Healthy Eating for tips on making the best food choices to support overall health.
Ensuring smart supplementation
The word “supplement” means something added. In this case, you’re “adding” to a basic healthy diet and lifestyle, or a prescription medication or therapy you’ve been given to treat a condition or disease. An herbal supplement or vitamin regiment on its own will not necessarily cure or treat your condition or heath problem. And remember that not all supplements are good, especially when taken in toxic doses or combined with other medications.
The media loves exciting headlines, so the moment an herb or vitamin is tentatively shown to be beneficial in some way, it is touted as the next miracle cure. Advertising can be misleading as well, promising us “totally safe”, “natural” and “quick and effective” solutions to many health problems. You can keep yourself from falling prey to false promises by researching any product you are considering taking. Make sure there is good scientific research that supports the claims of the supplement’s marketers.
If you’re considering using a dietary supplement in place of drugs, consult your health care provider first. And remember, just because it is “natural” doesn’t mean its gentler or more beneficial to your body - many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects and their safety is not assured.
Disclaimer:
The material provided on the website is for information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis.
You should consult your physician or healthcare professional regarding your health and should not take any action with respect to content provided on this site.information source: http://www.helpguide.org