Dietary Supplements: Everything You Need to Know

During 2017-18, 57.6% of adults in the United States, aged 20 and over reported consuming dietary supplements. Diet supplements usually contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, amino acids, and many other ingredients. It generally comes in the form of capsules, gummies, powder, drinks, and energy bars.

However, there is more to unravel about dietary supplements like which one to choose, what side effects to avert, and more. In this piece, you will find everything you need to know about dietary supplements.

What are Dietary Supplements?

A dietary supplement is a synthetically manufactured product to supplement with one’s regular diet. It exists in the form of capsule, powder, tablet, gummies, or liquid. A supplement generally offers nutrients extracted from food sources to fulfill the requirement of certain vitamins and minerals. Animals are also used to make dietary supplements, such as collagen for fish or poultry.

These are sold individually or in the combined form. In Canada and the US, dietary supplements are taken as a substitute for food and are supervised according to it.  Around 50,000 supplements are marketed every year in the United States. Multivitamins are the most used dietary supplements and are used to treat nutrient deficiency in adults.

Important factors to consider before taking dietary supplements

Dietary supplement label

Products that are marketed as dietary supplements come with a supplement facts label that records all the active ingredients, amount per serving, fillers, flavorings, and more. Always make sure to check if any ingredients can bring side effects in the long term. Also, if you don’t find a credible list of ingredients with the product, Google the item and see if you find anything there.

Every manufacturer offers the serving size, but there are chances your doctor may recommend different amounts according to your existing health. 

Efficacy

If you are not maintaining a healthy diet or not consuming enough nutrients, dietary supplements can help you get sufficient amounts of essential nutrients. Still, it can’t take the place of green vegetables, seeds, and natural fibers that are crucial to lead a healthy life.

A healthy diet with supplements is helpful to treat underlying skin conditions. For instance,

• Vitamin D and calcium reduces bone loss and keeps bones stronger
• Omega-3 fatty acids extracted from fish might be helpful for people with heart issues.
• A combination of Vitamin E, C, lutein, zinc, zeaxanthin, and copper is believed to slow down vision loss in older adults suffering from age-related macular degeneration.
• Folic acid lessens the chance of specific congenital disabilities.

Safety and Risks Involved

Almost every dietary supplement includes active ingredients that have strong effects. So, the possibility of a bad reaction exists while consuming supplements. You will experience side effects from a supplement if you take them at a high dosage instead of recommended value or take many supplements at a time. Some accessories can even change your body’s response to anesthesia if taken before surgery.

Some dietary supplements are also known to interact with medications, for example:

• Antioxidant dietary supplements like vitamin E and C might interfere with the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy.
• Vitamin K is believed to reduce the ability of blood thinner warfarin to impede blood from clotting.

Quality assurance

The FDA has brought good manufacturing practices that manufacturers must abide by to help assure the purity, identity, strength, and composition of their supplements. The GMPs can prevent adding the wrong components and reduce the risk of improper combination and marking of a product. The FDA schedules periodic inspections of the facilities that manufacture dietary supplements.

Many organizations provide quality assurance testing and only allow products that are up to the mark, which indicates that the product was manufactured correctly, includes the ingredients listed, and does not have harmful chemicals.

Benefits of including diet supplements

There are many benefits of diet supplements; here are the common ones:

a. Improves cognitive abilities

As you age, it is normal for some of the cognitive capacities to fade away. Supplements that contain precise cognitive formulas can help in boosting memory power. Continuing for a long time can regain some of the cognitive abilities or prevent further deterioration.

You can quickly get these supplements in any local store, search diet supplements Canada and get a list of credible sellers.

b. Lessens the risks of developing heart disease

Heart disease kills people more than anything else. One person dies every 36 seconds in the US due to CVD. You can prevent heart issues by including Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. They are believed to have a positive impact on those who are more likely to develop heart issues.

c. Boosts immunity

A robust immune system combats many illnesses. If you’re making efforts towards strengthening your immunity, dietary supplements might be the answer for all your health-related issues. Many supplements can boost your immune system like never before. Find nutritional supplements that include orange peel, ginger, and astragalus root. By taking these supplements, you will find yourself getting nauseous and sick a lot less than before. 

d. Treats insomnia

Sleeplessness has become a significant issue for millions of people worldwide. Last year, 30% of the population suffered from sleep disorders daily. If you struggle to sleep every night, it’s high time you should address it. Do some changes in your sleep routine and make your bedroom conducive to sleeping, and avoid lying on the bed in the daytime, even during weekends.

Additionally, you must include supplements containing melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep cycle, just like sleeping aids that too with nominal side effects.

e. Before concluding, consult your doctor

Tell your doctor or dietician about supplements that you are planning to add to your daily diet. They can help you with proper supplements with no prevalent side effects. Always keep a record of every supplement you take. For each product, keep the dosage or recommended value in mind. Also, if you are scheduled for any surgical procedures, discuss any dietary supplement you take with your doctor.

Conclusion

Remember, no supplement will be effective for your health if you are unable to continue with a regular diet. You cannot compensate for a healthy diet with reliable supplements. Therefore, it is always necessary to include the right supplements, along with a proper diet, and see them doing wonders for your health!