Although some nutritional supplements are beneficial for your health, others can be harmful. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, which creates a loophole for some substandard products to enter the market. Therefore, before buying and taking supplements, you need to understand their pros and cons. Below is a look at the benefits and risks of dietary supplements.
Benefits of Supplements
Enables You to Meet Your Daily Recommended Nutrient Intake
Our bodies require a wide range of nutrients and minerals to operate optimally. While it is possible to get all these nutrients and minerals through a healthy diet, most people cannot.
Their diet mainly consists of highly processed foods that are low in micronutrients rather than fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. As such, you will need to take supplements to meet your daily recommended intake.
May Help to Prevent Diseases
For instance, pregnant women are required to take folic acid supplements to prevent spina bifida in the fetus. Similarly, supplementation with Vitamin D and Calcium among children and seniors can help to prevent bone diseases. According to research findings by nih.gov, daily low dose micronutrient supplementation can minimize the risk of diseases such as cancer and cataracts, particularly among men.
Can Help in Treatment of Certain Diseases
Certain supplements can help in the treatment and management of some diseases. Therefore, they may be prescribed alongside medication or as part of a disease management regimen. For example, Vitamin C can help in alleviating cold and flu symptoms. Several studies indicate garlic supplements are beneficial in lowering high blood pressure.
In the instances where taking supplements will be beneficial, you must do your due diligence to ascertain you indeed need them and that the brand you choose is credible. First, consult with your doctor or a nutritionist to identify any deficiencies. Then, check customer reviews for the product you are considering. For instance, purity product reviews indicate that although their supplements are beneficial, the company policies and procedures are unfavorable.
Disadvantages of Supplements
Nutrient Quality Does Not Match Up to Food Nutrients
Food is a better source of nutrients than supplements. Although some medical professionals argue quality and bioavailability of nutrients in supplements are similar to that of food nutrients, artificially manufactured nutrients lack the coherence of the nutrient combination found in foods.
For instance, various vitamins customer reviews indicate that the supplements are made with chemicals that may not be as bioavailable as natural vitamins.
They are More Prone to Overdosing
Since supplements contain concentrated levels of nutrients and lack the fiber found in natural sources of micronutrients, you are more likely to overdose. When taken in high doses, they can cause toxicity in the body. Besides, most supplements exceed the recommended daily intake, with manufacturers arguing that the higher dosage is suitable for therapeutic use.
Can Cause Adverse Effects
Even when consumed within the recommended dosage, nutritional supplements can cause negative side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and hypercalcemia.
May Interact with Other Medication
If you are taking any prescribed drugs, you need to be extremely cautious about taking supplements, as they may have a harmful interaction. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with your physician before taking any supplements if you have an underlying health condition or if you are taking other medicines.
Supplements have become over-commercialized, with manufacturers and distributors going to great lengths to market them as beneficial to customers. As such, most people end up taking supplements that they do not need.
Before making your purchase, check for customer reviews to see if those indicate negative side effects or unreliable business procedures. They also will indicate the key supplement benefits that you expect from the product.
Ultimately, a healthy diet is the best way to meet your daily recommended nutrient intake.
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