Supplements

What are dietary supplements and what are they for?

Food supplements are products designed to complement the diet and provide additional nutrients that may be missing in the daily diet. These products may be in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, liquids or bars and contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids or other ingredients considered beneficial to health.

Food supplements are used to:

1. Fill nutritional deficiencies: They provide vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that may be missing in the daily diet.
2. Improve sports performance: Some supplements are designed to help improve physical performance and recovery after exercise.
3. Support general health: Some supplements are aimed at improving the health of various body systems, such as the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, among others.

And here I add what always appears in supplement advertisements and on labels:

«It is important to keep in mind that dietary supplements should not be used as substitutes for a balanced and varied diet, and that their consumption should always be supervised by a health professional to avoid possible side effects or interactions with other medications.»

Why do I add it? Well, because if you look closely it makes all the sense in the world. First, you can obtain all the nutrients from your diet, and second, if you have a health problem, it should be the doctor who prescribes them to you (and not take them freely). Even if you followed a special diet (of any type), my recommendation is that you always go to a health professional 🙂

Summing it all up, you should always keep this in mind:

• Check with your health care provider before taking dietary supplements to treat any health condition.
• Get approval from your health care provider before taking dietary supplements instead of or in combination with a prescription drug.
• If you plan to undergo any type of surgery, inform the professional treating you about the supplements you take.
• Keep in mind that the term “natural” does not always mean safe. Some all-natural botanicals, for example comfrey and kava, can damage the liver. The safety of a dietary supplement will depend on many factors, such as its chemical composition, effects on the body, preparation, and the amount taken.
• Before taking any dietary supplement, consult the sources of information listed in this booklet and ask your health care providers to answer the following questions:

○ What are its possible benefits for my health?

○ Does it present any safety hazards?

○ What is the right dose for me? How, when and for how long should I take it?

This information is extracted from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/