Supplements can be harmful to health. Too much for too long, especially the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, can reach toxic levels.
Some people might consider supplements as protection against bad choices in your daily diet and justify the continuation of those bad choices. Moreover, one can consider the extras like health insurance and not go to receive medical care promptly.
Athletes may consume protein supplements to build muscle, when in reality all it does is the hard exercise. The typical diet provides approximately twice the recommended daily requirement of protein. Too much protein may not be as healthy.
There are some myths about food. Some think that the food they lack nutrients, but it is not. Others think that the supplements provide energy or improve performance, nor is it well.
You can not cure stress supplements, and prayer helps more. Supplements can not cure diseases such as cancer, heart problems, colds. Even the pre-menstrual syndrome can get relief from isolated nutrients.
Excessive consumption of individual nutrients may affect the use of other nutrients. Too much zinc prevents absorption of copper and calcium. Similarly, too much calcium hinders the absorption of magnesium and iron, just to mention some of the relationships between nutrients.
New products are marketed with claims about their health properties. Food neutraceuticals, pharmo-foods, functional foods, foods designed, they are all new terms that are trying to draw the attention of the client to a new and better way to ensure good health. The first two assumptions generally offer health benefits, prevention or treatment of disease. The last two are designed biologically to add or improve in food substances that prevent disease.
Supplements are useful in some cases:
~Folic acid during childbearing years.
~A single dose of vitamin K at birth.
~Iron abundant menstruation
~Calcium in case of intolerance to lactose, no milk consumption, and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
~Vitamin B12 for persons over 50 years, total vegetarians and those suffering from pernicious anemia.
~Water-soluble vitamins for those receiving kidney dialysis.
~Vitamin D for those who do not consume milk, spend very little time in the sun or live in northern climates.
~Iodine in iodized salt form, where not get foods that contain iodine.
Where the water fluoride has very little. Food replacement products, such as (Ensure, Sustacal, Carnation Instant Breakfast) can be useful for people who do not eat properly, such as people with anorexia, some elderly.
Only two statements could be written on the label of a food supplement and even including the word “could.” For example:
Folic acid could reduce neural tube defects.
Calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. But even the two previous allegations have been proven.
The “golden rule” for healthy eating remains the choice of good food in the amounts recommended by the Vegetarian Food Pyramid.
Choose foods in the quantities and portion sizes that are appropriate for their age, sex and activity level. Seek help from professional people in the area of medicine and nutrition to assess their current status in relation to nutrition.
If you need a supplement, a professional person can identify what is needed. Taking vitamin C when you need is calcium, not only does not help, but it means a waste of money.
A lifetime of good nutrition choices for more health than isolated nutrients a combination of purchased in pill form, powder or liquid.
Tags: choosing food supplement, healthy food supplement, Supplement consumption, supplement food, the benefits of supplement, too much supplement
