Supplements can be a good source of vitamins or minerals that you lack in your diet. Whether it is part of your daily routine or not, supplements are gaining traction and are trending in the health world right now. However, are they what they are said to be? Or are they just a fad that will eventually die down?
But is there too much of a good thing? Supplements are good in moderation, and as far as possible, you should get all your vitamins and minerals from the things you eat and not from pills that you can drink. But as you grow older, taking supplements becomes a must for us to stay in good health. So, without further ado, let’s learn a bit more about food and mineral supplements.
1. Not all supplements are safe
Most multivitamins won’t cause any major threat to your body or health, but they aren’t something that you should overindulge on. It is important that you know the purpose of everything that you put in your body, and this is why you should buy any supplement without consulting a health professional first.
Supplements can even interact with your medication and counteract the effect of said medication. This may be risky if you suffer from certain health conditions like liver damage or if you are undergoing surgery. Most supplements are also not tested on children, pregnant people, and nursing parents, so you need to be acre when you consume them.
You should also be aware that the FDA is less strict with dietary supplements than they are with prescribed drugs. Some supplement companies may forgo putting certain ingredients on their labels, which may be unsafe for consumption.
2. There is one size fit all when it comes to supplements
Everyone has different needs, and we don’t all need the same supplement. The supplement that you’ll need or be recommended will depend on your diet and the needs of your body. Depending on certain things like your age, gender, sexuality, or even ethnicity, your body will need and have different nutritional requirements.
There is no one size fit all when it comes to supplements. All of us have different requirements, and this changes over time. The supplements a mother needs will not be the same as that of a bodybuilder or an older woman. This is why the supplements on the market provide different things.
Before you start taking any supplements, we advise you to visit your doctor as they will be in the best position to guide you towards the best supplement that will complement your diet and build.
3. Not all supplements are effective
Sure, supplements are popular, and sure some, if not most, of their work to a certain degree. But that doesn’t mean that all of them are effective. Not all supplements are approved by the FDA, and you need to be conscious of this while shopping for any kind of supplement.
Most doctors agree that in addition to a healthy diet, some supplements work and might be beneficial for our overall well-being, and this may have little to no risk to our health. However, it is important for you to know that the National Institute of Health has spent over $2.4 billion on study supplements, and they found no conclusive results.
Remember that most multivitamins won’t make you live longer, nor can they cure, diagnose, or even prevent diseases. The study that most supplements and vitamin companies use are usually skewed in their favor because there is no known miracle vitamin or supplement on the market.
Nothing beats a balanced diet and exercise, and they are the best way to stay healthy. If you have a balanced diet, you won’t need any sort of dietary supplement to help you out. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you want to read more about supplements.
