In recent years dietary supplements have gained huge popularity in the health and wellness space. More individuals are looking to improve their general health and supplements can be a great way to fill dietary gaps, provide your body with key nutrients and boost your immune system. This article will cover what supplements are, different types of supplements, how to choose the correct supplements and tips for safe supplement use.
What are supplements and why do people take them?
Dietary supplements are products that aim to provide concentrated amounts of nutrients to individuals that may be lacking certain nutrients in their regular diet. The main purpose of supplements is to address nutritional deficiencies and improve specific health needs. They can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have limited diets due to certain health conditions. However, it is important to remember that supplements are designed to be used to supplement diet and not replace it.
Types of supplements
Dietary supplements are broadly categorised as:
- Vitamins: This can include multivitamins or vitamin D, C, A and so on.
- Minerals: Such as, calcium, magnesium or Iron.
- Amino acids: Such as tryptophan and lysine.
- Botanicals or herbs: Such as John’s Wort or ginseng.
- Live Microbials: Such as probiotics.
- Protein: Such as protein powder.
Supplements come in various forms, such as, powders, tablets, capsules, gummies, liquids and gels.
How to choose the right supplements
The first step to choosing the correct supplements is to identify your body’s nutritional deficiencies. To do this you can evaluate your current diet, consider health conditions and consult a health professional.
Start by evaluating your current diet to identify whether you are consuming the correct amount of the essential nutrients. For instance, if your diet is low in certain foods, you can identify the nutrients in these foods and the supplements needed to fill these gaps.
In addition, it is important to consider current medical conditions and the supplementation that may benefit these conditions or nutrient deficiencies they can cause. For example, celiac disease can affect the absorption of B vitamins in the body, so it can be helpful to take a vitamin b complex to counteract this.
Finally, consulting a health professional is a good way to identify your nutrient deficiencies and address them accordingly. A doctor can perform a blood test to identify specific deficiencies and recommend the correct supplementation and dosage to address these deficiencies.
Tips for safe supplement use
To maximise the benefits of supplements it is important to follow best practices for the safe consumption of supplements.
Read labels carefully
Prior to consuming supplements, it is crucial that you read the label carefully and pay attention to ingredients, daily dosage and potential risks.
High quality supplements
Always purchase supplements from trusted and reputable brands to ensure that your supplements are high-quality and effective. High-quality supplements go through rigorous testing and certification to ensure that they are safe and address nutrient deficiencies correctly.
Consider existing medications
Prior to consuming supplements, it is important to consider any existing medical conditions and medications. Supplements can negatively interact with certain medications, making them ineffective or causing dangerous side effects. Always check labels or consult a health professional prior to taking supplements alongside existing medications.
Consult GP
If you are unsure about taking a certain supplement then it is best to consult a GP. They can advise you on the correct supplements and dosage to take to suit your lifestyle and medical history.
Supplements can play a crucial role in effectively addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving overall health and wellbeing. However, with the supplement industry growing at a rapid rate navigating the world of supplements can be complex. This article offers valuable advice so that individuals can make informed and safe choices when consuming supplements.
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