Introduction

Your daily intake of nutrients is augmented by dietary supplements that also contain vitamins and minerals. Dietary supplements have notable health benefits but if they are overused, they could have serious adverse health effects. Dietary supplements include:

Amino acids
Fatty acids
Enzymes
Probiotics
Herbals
Botanicals
Animal Extracts

Who should take supplements?

A lot of us live in more developed resource-rich countries and have access to balanced diets which is why we do not require multivitamins or specific pills but there are certain instances where taking a vitamin will increase our quality of life.

Examples of Commonly Used Supplements

A folic acid pill every day for women of childbearing age will go a long way in keeping them healthy. Folic acid prevents the child from being born with neural tube defects.

It has also been suggested that folic acid supplements can prevent cancer and heart disease but more trials need to be done to confirm these findings.

Vitamin D supplements for people who are suffering from osteoporosis can prove to be extremely beneficial. The dose depends on your healthcare provider. Generally, a dose of 1,000 IU per day is safe and beneficial.

In nations that are not as advanced as the US medically vitamin A supplements have been known to reduce the death rate.

Medical Conditions and Supplements

Some medical conditions can cause vitamin deficiencies so the use of supplements is essential for patients with these diseases. Individuals who do not consume a balanced meal due to unavailability, dietary restrictions, or consume large amounts of alcohol may require supplements for different vitamins.

Gut Conditions

Individuals with Gut conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, chronic diarrhea, or gastric bypass surgery have trouble absorbing vitamins present in food so supplements should be incorporated into their diet.

Kidney Problems

Individuals with kidney failure or dialysis need a healthy dose of vitamins and nutrients through supplements. Adults who do not have enough exposure to sunlight due to being homebound or in an institution should use vitamin D supplements.

Genetic Disorders

A genetic condition that interferes with vitamin B metabolism needs to consume a high dose of vitamin B to lead a full life.

Taking one vitamin a day has no negative effects on your health so it is encouraged that one incorporates all kinds of nutrients and vitamins in their diet. To avoid any adverse health affects you should consult your healthcare provider about the dosage of the vitamins you should consume.

Benefits of Supplements

A multivitamin supplement can expand our health. Calcium and Vitamin D are said to help in bone wellbeing, Folic Acid is said to diminish birth abnormalities, B Vitamins are proven to expand energy and help in neurological capacities, Magnesium is shown to loosen up the body. antioxidants are proven to prevent certain cancers, and both Vitamin C and Zinc are proven to increase immune function. These are just a few of the benefits a multivitamin has to offer. (3)

Many individual nutrients can be found in supplement form mainly in doses larger than your average multivitamin. They are used to treat deficiencies such as iron, or to decrease the risk of a particular health condition, such as hypertension.

For example

-Large doses of vitamin B3 (niacin) can help raise "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
-Folic acid has long been used to reduce the risk of a birth defect called spina bifida.
-Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, may reduce the toxic effect of chemotherapy drugs (allowing patients to tolerate larger doses of chemo)

A supplement is used when a deficiency is identified by your doctor. You can avoid eating supplements if you eat well and exercise regularly.

The use of supplements in the proper manner can help you avoid side effects, toxicities with overuse.

Sun Nutrient Supplements

SunNutrient is a well-known distributor of beneficial supplement stock many varieties of supplements that are necessary to match your daily requirement of vitamins and nutrients.

Some known benefits of their supplement products are:

Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements

Acid Reflux

It was reported by several individuals that after incorporating apple cider vinegar supplements in their diet their symptoms of acid reflux reduced.

Research has shown that the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar helps ease heartburn.

Kidney stones

Research done in 2011 reported that the acid from apple cider vinegar can help dissolve kidney stones. More studies are being conducted to see if supplements have the same effect.

Candida

It was reported by a study done in 2008 that the acid in apple cider vinegar helps in breaking apart the strains of candida infections.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a natural treatment for candida infections due to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Acne

Apple cider vinegar can help in reducing the severity of your acne by reducing the number of pimples you have.

Getting rid of any infectious bacteria on your skin can go a long way in promoting skin health and your overall wellbeing.

Elderberry Supplements

Elderberry is most commonly used as a supplement for treating cold and flu symptoms. Some known benefits of elderberry supplements are:

Nutrients

Elderberry is high in beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, dietary fibers, a good source of phenolic acids, a good source of flavonoids, rich in anthocyanins.

Cold and Flu Symptoms

Elderberry has been reported to reduce the severity and length of the influenza virus.

Antioxidants

Elderberry is rich in antioxidants which remove harmful molecules and help in preventing chronic diseases.

Turmeric Supplements

A close relative of ginger turmeric has many health benefits that have recently come to light. Some well-known benefits are:

Depression

A special compound of turmeric is curcumin which scientists have discovered had the potential to ease depression and help antidepressants work.

Type 2 Diabetes

Curcumin has been known to fight inflammation and keep blood sugar levels steady so it is said that it can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Viral Infection

Turmeric tea can help you fight off various infections like herpes and the flu due to the presence of curcumin.

Conclusion

Even though a healthy individual who eats a balanced diet and exercises regularly may not need supplements most of us do. Supplements help us incorporate all kinds of nutrients and vitamins into our diet and encourage us in leading a healthy and happy life.