The additional nutrients provided by the supplements prevent marauding free radicals from damaging healthy cells, accelerate the repair and regeneration of damaged cells and facilitate renewal. The result is a longer, healthier and more vital life. Supplements are intended to improve the nutrient density of your diet. Evidence suggests that some supplements can improve health in different ways.
The most popular nutritional supplements are multivitamins, calcium, and vitamins B, C and D. Calcium supports bone health, and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamins C and E are antioxidant molecules that prevent cell damage and help maintain health. We have heard a lot of encouraging news about supplements.
A number of studies hail vitamin D as a possible defence against a long list of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, depression and even the common cold. Omega-3 fatty acids have been promoted for preventing strokes and other cardiovascular events. And antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are seen as promising silver bullets against heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. We need a range of nutrients every day to keep us healthy, such as calcium and vitamin D to protect our bones, folic acid to produce and maintain new cells, and vitamin A to preserve the health of our immune system and vision.
Before taking any supplements for disease prevention, it is important to know whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks. To reach that conclusion, look at the results of well-designed studies. A recent randomised trial in men suggested that multivitamins have potential cancer prevention benefits. For many other popular supplements, such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, the results of randomised controlled trials should be available within the next five years, according to Dr.
So why do so many people take supplements if the health benefits are negligible or non-existent for the average healthy person? People tend to think of them as something extra they can do to make sure their basic nutritional needs are met, she says. There is also a possible placebo effect in taking supplements, she adds. People feel healthier if they do something they think makes them healthier. Philips Respironics recalled some CPAP and BiLevel PAP devices and mechanical ventilators.
The researchers concluded that multivitamins do not reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive impairment (such as memory loss and slowed thinking) or premature death. They also noted that, in previous studies, vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements appear to be harmful, especially in high doses. The exception is supplemental folic acid for women of childbearing age, says Appel. That’s why multivitamins are recommended for young women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. The amount of iron in a multivitamin can also be beneficial for women of childbearing age, Appel adds. Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Specific vitamins, such as magnesium, C0Q10 and B vitamins, contribute to the health of the cardiovascular system.
So, if you’re concerned about your overall cardiovascular health, taking vitamins can help keep your heart healthy. Just be sure to combine it with eating heart-healthy foods. B vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, B6, B12, biotin and folate work with certain enzymes in the body to metabolise energy from fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Eating a healthy diet and being physically active also help maintain a healthy metabolism, essential factors for your overall health and healthy ageing.
If you have split ends or thinning hair, vitamins B3 and C are the best options for achieving fuller hair. Because observational studies may not fully control for dietary factors, exercise habits and other variables, they cannot prove whether treatment is responsible for health benefits. What they can do is supplement the nutrients you get from your diet and bring you a little closer to your health and wellness goals. Everyone does their best to eat healthy, but there are other nutrients that can be difficult to get from food alone.
These include glucosamine (for joint pain) and herbal supplements such as echinacea (immune health) and flaxseed oil (digestion). While many supplements are certainly beneficial to health, the evidence varies widely, and it is important to know which ones may benefit your health and which ones may be harmful. Whole Health offers high-quality, all-natural vitamins and supplements to help people lead healthier lives. Taking supplements daily, exercising regularly and seeing your doctor regularly is important to prevent costly health problems from developing in the future.
You may be trying to combat a vitamin deficiency or reduce your risk of certain diseases, or you may simply feel proactive about your health after taking a supplement that promises to improve your health. Although supplements are very popular, there is little evidence that they offer significant health benefits. The first step is to discuss your options with your health care provider, as the effectiveness and safety of a supplement may depend on your individual situation and health. That’s where supplements come in, providing you with the support your body needs to stay healthy.
Fruits, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods contain nutrients and other substances not found in a pill that work together to keep us healthy.
