Dietary Supplements - Do I Really Need Them?

Dietary supplements can include vitamins, minerals,elements and compounds according to some
herbals, botanicals, amino acids, and enzymes. Dietaryprofessionals--including vitamins, minerals, amino acids
supplements are products that people add to theirand other chemicals. If you're a vegetarian, you may
diets. Dietary supplements can't replicate all of thenot consume enough calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins
nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruitsB-12 and D.
and vegetables. Dietary supplements come in theHealthy
form of pills, capsules, powders, gel tabs, extracts, orIf you're generally healthy and eat a wide variety of
liquids.foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
Supplementlegumes, lean meats and fish, you likely don't need
A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouthdietary supplements. However, if you can't or don't
that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended toeat enough healthy foods, or can't or don't eat a
supplement the diet. To take a supplement as safelyvariety of healthy foods, you may need a daily
as possible Tell your doctor about any dietarydietary supplement. Taking vitamins does not make
supplements you use do not take a bigger dose thanup for an unhealthy diet, and vitamins are an
the label recommends. Stop taking it if you have sideinsufficient substitute for nutrients from fresh fruits,
effects Read trustworthy information about thevegetables and whole grains, but a general
supplement National Center for Complementary andmultivitamin and mineral supplement can be a good
Alternative Medicine. Some dietary supplements maysafeguard. Do not assume that because a product
help some people get enough essential nutrients toclaims to support or promote healthy body function
improve their diets and be in their best health.that it prevents or reduces the risk of any disease,
Vitaminsincluding cancer. Don't rely on supplements to make
Vitamins and minerals are substances your bodyup for an unhealthy diet. This is because many people
needs in small but steady amounts for normalhave turned to dietary supplement in order to fill the
growth, function and health. Vitamins and dietarygaps that arise due to unhealthy diet.
supplements work only when properly dissolved andBenefits
absorbed. Vitamins act as powerful preventativeScientists use several approaches to evaluate dietary
measures against disease and the aging process, notsupplements for their potential health benefits and
to mention their critical function for healthy living. Asafety risks, including their history of use and
dietary supplement, also known as food supplementlaboratory studies using cell or animal models. A few
or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended toindividual dietary supplements have been shown to
supply nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fattyhave positive benefits for your health too.
acids or amino acids that are missing or are notEating
consumed in sufficient quantity in a person's diet.To achieve your personal best requires a balanced
Liquid vitamins provide a sound alternative toeating plan and a consistent physical activity program.
multivitamin pills. They constitute a new approach toBut eating healthy foods is the best way to get the
delivery of nutrients, in addition to classic pills and lessnutrients you need.
conventional liquid vitamins. So you need a freshDietary supplements are widely available in the United
supply of these vitamins every day. People often useStates in health food stores, grocery stores,
vitamins and minerals to supplement diet and treatpharmacies, on the Internet, and by mail. At this time,
disease. The "dietary ingredients" in dietarysupplement manufacturers must meet the
supplements may include vitamins, minerals, herbs,requirements of the FDA's Good Manufacturing
and amino acids as well as substances such asPractices (GMPs) for foods. Dietary supplements can
enzymes, organ tissues, metabolites, extracts orhelp us lead healthier, longer lives, but only if taken
concentrates. Fat-soluble vitamins and water-solubleproperly. You should not use the information
vitamins are the two basic forms of vitamins requiredcontained on this site for diagnosing or treating a
by every human body. Nutrients are the substanceshealth problem or disease, or prescribing any
the body needs to function--about 45 differentmedication.