Why your body needs supplements

Oct 26, 2008

THE human body is made up of nutrients. Without minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other important nutritional building blocks, life would be almost impossible. The best way to get these vitamins and minerals is by eating a wide variety of healthy foods. Cultures with people who enjoy youthful, dis

By Rachel Bahika

THE human body is made up of nutrients. Without minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other important nutritional building blocks, life would be almost impossible. The best way to get these vitamins and minerals is by eating a wide variety of healthy foods. Cultures with people who enjoy youthful, disease-free lives and live long are those who get a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

But even people who have healthy eating habits find it hard to get all the fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods they need. This is where nutrient supplements come in.

A nutritional supplement, also known as a food supplement or dietary supplement, is a preparation intended to supply nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person’s diet.

When our bodies become nutrient-deficient, disease is the inevitable result. Scientists have concluded that every disease can be linked to a mineral or nutritional deficiency. We need about 90 nutrients in our diet every day. Even though it is theoretically possible, it is not likely that you will get all these essential nutrients in their proper proportions, from your diet alone.

Due to current manufacturing and processing techniques, much of the food we eat loses its nutrients. Our farmlands are also over-farmed and the soils lose theirnutrients.

Besides the harsh chemical fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides that our foods are contaminated with, there is a wide range of processing techniques that further alter their value as safe, healthy foods. They are subjected to high heat which destroys essential vitamins and enzymes. Additives used to enhance their appearance and preservatives are added to lengthen their stay in shops.

By the time they reach the market, the food items that are supposed to be rich in vitamins and minerals only have a fraction of what they contained originally.
This is the reason nutritional supplements are becoming more and more popular. People want to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need to maintain their health.

Doctors are also understanding more the need to supplement food with dietary supplements, as new research shows that vitamin and mineral supplements help to fight cancer, heart disease and the effects of ageing.

Quality dietary supplements can provide not only the vitamins and minerals that we all know about, but also the equally important antioxidants, herbal extracts, Omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids and many other important nutrients that our bodies need to function properly and fight disease and illness.

Nutritional supplements are safe and many have been used for years without any significant problems. Generally speaking, nutrient supplements are safer (and less expensive) than pharmaceutical drugs, which often can have serious side effects. Many nutrient supplements can also be used to support patients and hasten recovery from disease.

But if you have a serious health condition or are using prescription drugs, it is best to consult your health care professional for advice.

Though problems with the use of most nutritional supplements are rare, in some cases supplements should be avoided. For example, if you are about to undergo surgery, certain supplements, foods and drugs that thin your blood may not be advised.

Multi-vitamin and mineral preparations contain a variety of nutrients in different doses and combinations, which can be confusing. It is best to consult your doctor or dietician before taking any nutrient supplement.

A supplement cannot make up for unhealthy eating habits. An unhealthy diet cannot be made healthy by taking a nutrient supplement. The right mixture of foods in a balanced diet provides the required vitamins and minerals as well as fat, proteins, carbohydrates and fibre.
Nutrient supplements are there to supplement your diet and not to replace it.

The writer has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition.

WHO NEEDS SUPPLEMENTS MOST?
  • People who are on a low-calorie diet. Diets that provide less than 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day may not provide enough vitamins and minerals.

  • Those who have been sick or injured or who are recovering from surgery.

  • People with long-term (chronic) illnesses.

  • People who cannot eat certain foods, such as those who have food allergies. For example, people who are allergic to milk and do not eat any milk products may not get enough calcium and vitamin D.


  • Finding the right supplements
  • Choose a supplement that provides a variety of vitamins and minerals (a multivitamin) rather than one that provides only a single vitamin or mineral (unless your doctor has recommended it). Products with only one type of vitamin or mineral may increase the body’s demand for other nutrients.

  • Pick one that provides no more than 100% of the daily value for each vitamin and mineral. Supplements that provide more than 100% of the daily value can cause health problems. For instance, vitamins A, D, E and K. are stored more easily in the body, and can build up to dangerous levels

  • Check the expiration date. Do not buy supplements that have expired or that will expire before you can finish the lot

  • Check the label for other ingredients. Some supplements may contain food ingredients, such as wheat, corn, or eggs,.. If you have a food allergy or are sensitive to these foods, look for supplements that do not have them

  • Each ingredient in any nutritional supplement you buy should be backed by a certificate of analysis which ensures the safety and efficacy of all of the ingredients in the product

  • Look for dietary supplements with standardised herbal extracts. These are the purest extracts available, offering the highest quality active ingredients from which the therapeutic value comes

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of supplements that promise quick and dramatic results.

  • Only buy a nutritional supplement that is created by a renowned formulator qualified to create a supplement with ingredients that work together in perfect balance.

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