Hello everyone,
Hope you are all having a great summer break and for this month’s blog post we are going to dive into the world of nutraceuticals, explore the different types and find out who would benefit from taking dietary supplements.
What are dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements are products containing vitamins, minerals or plant material which should be used in addition to one’s diet but never as a food substitute! These products can be found in tablet, capsule or liquid form. From their observed health benefits, supplements can be divided into two categories; supplements decreasing disease risk or progression and supplements improving mental and physical performance. Whether we should be taking these products additionally to our diet does not always have a yes or no answer as it will greatly depend on the current state of health of every individual.
Who should be taking dietary supplements?
In the past few years we have seen a massive increase in supplement use of products (dominating in Europe and North America) which are easily available from the supermarkets, health food stores or even from the internet. Millions of people are daily reaching for dietary supplements in hope of decreasing risk of diseases, boosting vitality or even limiting the signs of aging. However, with growing global market for supplements, hundreds of new products are being produced, making it even more confusing for people to understand whether they should be taking supplements and if yes, which ones are worth taking. Therefore, it is always recommended that people who have concerns about their diet or not getting enough of the right nutrients, to go and see their GP or a registered dietitian. Not only are they the experts in diet and nutrition, but they will also be able to comment on one’s diet, discuss the importance of a balanced diet and eventually suggest evidence- based supplements which are personalized to their circumstances.
In general, a healthy individual without any nutritional deficiencies should be able to obtain all the essential nutrients from a well-balanced diet. However, there are also certain groups of people who are more likely to have specific nutritional deficiencies and therefore, they are recommended to take specific supplements. Here are few examples:
Pregnant and breastfeeding women - are advised to take vitamin D supplements, and folic acid supplements when trying to conceive and during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy in order to reduce child’s risk of neural tube defects
Children aged 6 months to 5 years – should be taking supplements containing vitamin A, C, D
People on a plant-based diet – are recommended to take vitamin B12 supplements as it can’t be obtained from plants
People at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency – these include people over 65 years, people with darker skin or people who are not exposed to much sun (in UK Public Health England recommends that all adults and children over the age of 1 should take vitamin D supplements throughout autumn and winter)
Overall, it is important to remember that most of us get all the vitamins and minerals we need from a well-balanced diet which should include at least five portions of fruit or vegetables per day. If a person decides to buy a supplement, they should always ask themselves “do I really need it” and whether there is some solid evidence suggesting that it will work. Ultimately, before using any dietary supplement make sure to consult your GP who will be able to check your general health, check for any nutritional deficiencies and offer you their professional advice.
You can read more on this topic: https://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/05May/Documents/BtH_supplements.pdf
Keep an eye out for our next blog post and keep following our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts (@altpharmcareers) for regular updates on new and exciting events we’re planning for next year!
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