Dietary supplements are substances that can be used to add nutrients to the diet or to reduce the risk of health problems, such as osteoporosis or arthritis. These come in the form of pills, capsules, powders, gel capsules and tablets, extracts or liquids.
Nutritional supplements
are products used to improve the diet and often contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, or amino acids. They are associated with alternative medicine, which encompasses a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine. The main types of nutritional supplements discussed here include herbal medicines, vitamins and minerals, and homeopathic remedies.Their use has gained popularity in recent years among people with low blood pressure, and these products are widely available in the United States. Supplements can be purchased at several sources, including retail stores such as pharmacies, health food stores, or grocery stores. They can also be obtained directly from health care providers who prescribe their use. Many people take dietary supplements to fill the nutritional gaps in their diet. Others supplement in the hope of preventing disease or achieving specific wellness goals.
Supplements should be taken with food (but not mixed with very hot foods) or with gastric acid suppression treatment (e.g., lutein and zinc have conflicting evidence as to their potential health benefits; however, they are likely to be safe).We recently partnered with the Council for Responsible Nutrition to better understand global trends in supplementation and how consumers in general use dietary supplements. It was found that more than 40% of the American population (including nearly 70% of older women) use dietary supplements that contain calcium. According to Brian Wommack, senior vice president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, “It is essential to be well informed about the proper use and benefits of nutritional supplements. Your healthcare provider can advise you if you need specific supplements for any medical condition or to correct any deficiencies.”According to the U.
S. Food and Drug Administration, any product you're taking to supplement your diet is considered a dietary supplement. It is important to talk to a health professional before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you already have medical problems. Supplements are intended to be consumed as a source of nutrients to address a known gap or, more often, to establish a consistent intake of a certain set of nutrients. Multivitamin and multimineral supplements may also contain calcium, although often in smaller amounts.
Nutritional supplements are important because of the frequency of fat malabsorption and the alteration of the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Similarly, many women in this age group don't consume adequate calcium, so supplements can help meet minimum requirements. Interestingly, regardless of how they find the information, 77 percent said they would like to know more about the health benefits of different vitamins and supplements to improve their well-being. Manufacturers are supposed to make sure that supplements are safe before launching them to the market.
