Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplement in Viriginia
The healthcare industry has grown in leaps and bounds during the 21st century. People are becoming more health-conscious, and the drug companies are cashing in. Dietary supplement manufacturers and suppliers have used persuasive marketing strategies to sell the promise of health, vitality, and happiness in order to live disease-free lives.
Healthy individuals are capable of meeting their nutrient needs with a well-balanced diet. If a person eats lots of fruits, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains, then taking supplements is not necessary. Most fruits and vegetables are packed with the necessary nutrients for meeting daily nutritional requirements. Depending on your sex, age, and eating combinations, your body might absorb more or less nutrients.
Supplements have their pros and cons, and a person should check with their doctor before taking any. There are some nutrients that are lacking in most diets. For example — Vitamin D is absolutely essential to have strong bones and absorb calcium, but there are a lot of foods that provide Vitamin D, so taking a supplement can stave off many diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and more.
Another supplement which is extremely important is Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Salmon, tuna, and fish are all very high in omega 3, but vegans can be lacking in this. Omega 3 may prevent several diseases such as heart diseases, anxiety and depression, skin disorders, as well as asthma in children. So taking an Omega 3 supplement may be a good idea.
Some people have really busy lives, and they might not have time to buy fresh produce or prepare it. For those individuals, taking supplements might be a good idea. Many individuals that are aware of their dietary deficiencies can compensate for their diet deficiencies by taking multivitamins. Dietary supplements may be used to enhance physical performance when exercising, specifically resistance training. Weight training involves breaking down muscle tissue and building it back up.
So taking protein supplements can aid in that process, as well as delaying the fatigue. But there are two sides of a coin, and taking supplements may also have its downsides. Supplements are artificial and cannot substitute for nutrients at all. They come with side effects such as nausea, headache, liver damage, dizziness, etc.
Also taking supplements regularly can hamper your bodys ability to absorb nutrients. Taking too many supplements can lead you to build up body toxicity. Taking too many calcium supplements can cause stones or high blood calcium. Many supplements can also lead to diarrhea.
Sometimes, your body may not be absorbing those supplements, and it may also be flushed out through your urine. It might be just a waste of money then.
Foods have fiber in them, which is why it gives you the satiety boost, but popping pills does not make up for the nutrition, and it could cause more harm than good. Nothing replaces what you eat, and you have to make smart choices in order to reap maximum benefits. So, ideally, a person must follow a healthful diet, which is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-processed foods.
Eating lots of nuts, seeds, garlic, yogurt can provide you all with the necessary nutrients, but there are some cases where supplements can give your body the kick it needs to live disease-free, as well as fight off chronic diseases. One should always check with their doctor before taking any type of supplements. In the US, food supplements are not as tightly regulated as pharmaceutical drugs.
Manufacturers are not required to demonstrate they are either safe or effective. The FDA does, however, keep a list of products contaminated with contaminants or potentially harmful that are sold as food additives. Supplement manufacturers must adhere to specific labeling guidelines, including what they may say about alleged benefits, and what they may not. That does not prevent manufacturers from making claims, often misleadingly, about how their products “boost your immune system” or “treat arthritis,” even when little science supports those claims.
Generally, the FDA acts only on the worst violations. While most supplements are safe if you follow product instructions, high doses of some nutrients may cause negative effects. You may even overdose on some supplements, causing severe damage and death.
Vitamin E may boost the effects of blood thinners, leading to easier bruising and nosebleeds. St. Johns wort may speed up the breakdown of many medications, including antidepressants and birth control pills, thus decreasing their effectiveness. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), if taken at higher dosages over the course of a year or longer, may cause serious neurological damage. Vitamin B6 may also decrease the effectiveness of the anti-seizure medications Dilantin (phenytoin) and levodopa (used for Parkinsons disease). Vitamin A used together with the acne-fighting retinoid drugs such as Accutane (isotretinoin) and Soriatane (acitretin) may lead to vitamin A toxicity.
Iron and calcium supplements may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics, namely tetracycline and fluoroquinolones, by up to 40%. Vitamin C may cause diarrhea if taken at higher dosages than the intestines can absorb (but some patients can tolerate between 5,000 and 25,000 mg a day). Selenium, boron, and iron supplements can be toxic when taken in high amounts.
Tell your health care professional about any supplements you plan to take, and any medications you are taking now, whether pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, herbal, traditional, or homoeopathic. For utmost safety and quality, select supplements that are tested and approved by a certified authority, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).