Dietary Supplements….Health Gimmick or Value?

Are supplements necessary for good health? The answer to the question is no because there are many things that you can do for good health. Are supplements necessary to achieve optimal health? Yes, but there are some conditions to this answer.

A majority of adults in the United States take one or more supplements daily or on occasion. With the explosive growth of supplement companies and products over the past decade, there is probably a supplement for just about everything. One of the driving forces behind the boom and expansion of the supplement industry is consumer interest in health and self-care. With the buzz around supplements in today’s world, it often makes you wonder are supplements a necessity for good health or are they being marketed as such to increase profits.

Supplement is defined as something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Dietary supplements are meant to supplement a healthful, balanced diet to help fill nutrient gaps. They are not drugs and, therefore, are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. They contain dietary ingredients or nutrients that work with your biology by supporting normal enzyme function and biochemical reactions. Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals or botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other products. They come in a variety of forms: tablets, capsules, powders, drinks, and bars.

A healthful, balanced diet supplies the body with sufficient nutrients to carry out routine tasks, but in today’s world, the nutritional demand placed on our body requires more than just the recommended daily amount. Exposure to hazardous toxins and chemicals that poison our bodies, living with too much stress, not getting enough sleep, lack of sufficient exercise, and inflammation all contribute to this heavier demand. Even certain times in our life cycles (ex: pregnancy, elderly, etc.) impacts and increases our nutritional needs. Supplements enrich and fortify the body’s internal environment in addition to providing added support required during certain periods of our life cycle.

With all that being said, it is important to emphasize that in order for a supplement to be of value to any person the need or purpose for it must be identified which is why it is essential to discuss dietary supplements with a trained holistic practitioner or healthcare professional.

If you have been taking supplements and have yet to experience any favorable changes in your health or if you are not taking any supplements and are considering to add them to your health regimen contact us today to find out which supplements (if any) best suit your needs.

Elena Alisma, ND

References:

https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216048/