If your morning routine involves tossing some dietary supplements down your throat with a few gulps of water, you’re not alone. Whether they’re falling out of medicine cabinets or carefully stored in their bathroom cupboards, these supplements have become a necessary addition to the lifestyle of many people nowadays. With the dwindling individual well-being today, more and more people are exploring these dietary solutions to “supplement” their health needs. Since the mid-20th century, supplements have been providing the necessary vitamins and minerals that people need to stay healthy. However, there are a few things every patient should know about supplements, which are mentioned below.
- Eat Healthy Things
Supplements aren’t dietary alternatives. Meaning you can’t eat them instead of usual meals. They are just additional methods to recover the damage done by your nutrient deficiency problem. Eating healthy and nutrient-rich food should always be your priority. Don’t think these dietary supplements replace a healthy lifestyle. They just help you regain your digestive well-being but then you have to maintain this health by exercising, staying hydrated, quitting smoking/drinking, and eating wholesome meals.
- Choose Quality Brands
Purchasing dietary supplements from well-reputed brands will make them safer for consumption. A quality brand will have a robust online presence, amazing customer service, and different reviews to vouch for it. For instance, you can look for Purely Integrative supplements as it promises you purity, taste, and safety. Look into the brand’s social media profile and do due diligence if you wish to buy its products. Here are three ways to ensure a brand makes good supplements:
- There aren’t any artificial additives or other toxic ingredients
- The brand is well-certified with third-party testing and other evidence
- It has an excellent track record and labels its products honestly and transparently
- Ask Your Doctor
Snacking on dietary supplements like candy isn’t healthy, and you should only take the ones prescribed by a doctor. Keep your primary healthcare provider updated with your dietary habits, so they’ll suggest some supplements after considering your medical history. You might watch someone on social media claiming that OTC vitamins are safe because they may be bought without a doctor’s direction. However, you must consult with a doctor before taking any supplements to understand whether any ingredients in them would interfere with any medicines you’re taking.
- Do They Work?
Dietary supplements have various benefits depending on the nutrient deficiency you’re facing. They are popular because, when consumed moderately, they enhance your diet without any noticeable side effects. So, here are some common health advantages of taking supplements in your diet:
- Your heart can get stronger
- They can strengthen your bones
- Better skin health and overcoming jet lag
- Preventing cell damage and honing cell growth
- Are They Safe?
There are some risks involved with taking dietary supplements. These risks emerge when a person doesn’t consume supplements cautiously or without a doctor’s prescription. Moreover, you can come across supplements with hidden and unlisted ingredients.
- Various Shapes & Sizes
People often imagine pill-shaped objects when talking about supplements. However, they can come in different shapes, sizes, and forms. A dietary supplement contains at least one ingredient essential to your well-being, i.e., enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, among others. You can try multivitamins instead of taking several pills each day. Aside from pills, supplements also come in the shape of liquid and powder. So, you should consult your doctor about these shapes and forms in depth.
- Read The Label
Read what’s written on the label to learn what you’re putting in your body. A 2017 survey indicated that 13% of Americans read what’s on the label before purchasing a product. It’s never a good idea to buy food before knowing its ingredients, and the same is the case with dietary supplements. The more you read, the more you learn about these supplements. So, value your well-being and be cautious when taking dietary additives. Know exactly what you’re putting in your body.
- Effects May Differ
Just because a certain vitamin has worked for your friend, it doesn’t mean it’ll work for you too. You shouldn’t expect similar effects on your body because dietary supplements work differently due to a person’s medical history and existing conditions. For instance, vegans can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as this nutrient isn’t normally found in plants. Similarly, exercising more often causes quick magnesium depletion. Your circumstances mean you take personalized supplements.
- Water-Soluble And Fat-Soluble
Another major fact about dietary supplements is learning the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble ones. Fat-soluble ones i.e., vitamins A, D, E, and K, are stored in your body when they are absorbed into one’s bloodstream. However, water-soluble vitamins e.g., B1 and B12, aren’t stored in your body. Instead, they are excreted with urine.
- Interfering With Meds
Statistics indicate that 4 in 5 Americans, according to a report published in 2019, were taking dietary supplements but many people in the country are still facing nutritional deficiencies. So, what are they doing wrong? Supplements can interfere with the meds you’re taking. They can make your meds ineffective, as explained before, so you must consult your doctor before taking them.
- Don’t Overconsume Them
Consuming dietary supplements moderately helps you overcome their side effects and harvest their benefits. How many supplements are too many supplements? This number may vary from person to person. So, you should keep a journal in which you list the dietary supplements you take as well as how many medicines you’re taking each day. Then present this information before your doctor, and they can inform you when you start to overindulge.
Conclusion
This blog goes through some important facts about taking supplements. Supplements can’t replace what benefits you get from actually eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Don’t take supplements if your doctor doesn’t think you need one. Refrain from overdosing on dietary supplements, and watch how much you consume. They might interfere with your meds if you’re not taking them carefully. You must also read the label to know exactly what you are gobbling down your esophagus. Remember to do your research and buy from trusted brands only.