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Dietary Supplements: Some Fast Facts You Must Know Today

by Samit Patel on January 18, 2022

Dietary supplements can be beneficial to your health. You may be acquainted with them, have used them, or even recommended them to others. Dietary supplements provide nutritional substances that are well-known, while others require further investigation. However, consuming them may also be hazardous to your health.

Read on to find out important information and fast fact about dietary supplements

 

The Composition of Dietary Supplements

The composition of dietary supplements usually involve vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, and enzymes. They come in various forms such as tablets, pills, soft gels, gelcaps, powder, and liquids. 

 

The Advantages

Certain supplements can help you get the nutrients your body needs to function properly, while others can help you avoid disease. Supplements, however, should not be used in place of whole meals. Therefore, they are not to be used to substitute a variety of foods. 

Supplements, unlike medications, cannot be advertised as a means of diagnosing, treating, preventing, or curing disease. They are not meant to claim that they decrease the risk of diseases such as high cholesterol problems or heart problems, among others. For dietary supplements, such statements are not permitted. 

 

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

On a daily basis, our bodies require only a few vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet contains an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. Certain people, on the other hand, may require supplements to compensate for vitamin or mineral deficiencies. These individuals are smokers, excessive alcohol drinkers, drug users, pregnant or nursing women, the elderly, the disabled, and the chronically ill.

Moreover, certain vegans and women who have a heavy menstrual cycle are prone to food allergies and malabsorption problems, such as diarrhea, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis.

 

The Safety of Dietary Supplementation

When administered properly, dietary supplementation is safe. At the same time, there are risks involved in ingesting the biologically active ingredients found in them. These can make them dangerous in some situations and harmful to your health. 

There are lethal consequences to combining vitamins, taking supplements used in conjunction with medications, substituting prescribed medication with dietary supplements, and taking excessive doses of vitamin A, vitamin D, or iron.

Certain supplements may cause unwanted side effects. As a result, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements you're taking. 

 

Dietary Supplements That Are Commonly Used 

The most common dietary supplements are Calcium, Echinacea, Fish Oil, Ginseng, Glucosamine and/or Chondroitin Sulphate, Garlic, Vitamin D, Ginkgo, and Green Tea.

 

The Responsibility of Manufacturers and Distributors

Dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors must ensure the safety of their products. Before selling them, the products must be known to the FDA as free of toxins and contaminants and are properly labelled in accordance with existing labelling laws. This is especially true for supplements that contain a new component. The FDA will only consider the notification's safety, not its effectiveness. 

 

Being a Smart Buyer

Being a smart buyer means getting more information about your dietary supplements. You may discover more about a product by contacting the manufacturer or distributor  to ask about bata to back up the product's claims as well as its safety and efficacy

This way, you can also purchase them with confidence. As you buy and use them with caution, you must consider if the product is recognized by the NIH, FDA, and USDA. Also be cautious when a product makes claims, such as "works better than [a prescription drug]," "is completely safe," or "has no side effects." After all, not all “natural” products imply safety. 

Once you have a product, maintain the prescribed dose and take supplements according to the RDA (recommended daily allowance). But remember: Vitamin and mineral supplements are only a temporary fix. If you suspect you are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, you should consider changing your diet and lifestyle instead of taking supplements.

Additionally, consult your doctor to see if the supplement you're thinking about taking is safe and effective for you, especially if you will take them in conjunction with prescription medications and medical treatments. 

 

Conclusion

Nothing beats the professional advice of a doctor. So before beginning any supplement regimen, do a quick consultation. No matter how promising a dietary supplement presents itself, only doctors can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Unichem Greenhithe Pharmacy’s expert pharmacists are here to assist you in medicine management and offer tailored health solutions for you. Get a discount—book your appointment today!

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