How supplements came about , when to use them and how to be sure of the benefits and precautions.
With commercialization bombarding us from every angle, the challenge of choice can be quite daunting. So when stepping out to find the supplements best suited to your body type and health needs, it is imperative that you first spend time investigating their potential benefits. When you are surrounded by rows and rows of supplements claiming to have wonderful abilities to help all kinds of health related issues, pull out your thinking cap and consider the following helpful information:
What does the law say?
In 1994 the FDA that controls the licensing of drugs allowed the marketing of any combinations of substances as long as they are marketed as designer nutrition, not as drugs. For this reason there are many products on the market that are very similar to each other, making all kinds of claims - with little or no scientific research. The responsibility now rests with consumers to make sure they are properly informed.
What are supplements?
Supplements are intended to target specific health needs, with their dietary ingredients including vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and other constituents. These focused foods are derived from natural foods, where various elements are combined together in specific amounts. Each combination will have a very specific effect on a certain system or part of your body.
What do supplements do?
From merely keeping your immune system functioning well, to increasing muscle strength to fighting the effects of pollution and other toxins - the right supplements taken for the right reasons can yield fantastic results!
When do you use supplements?
Optimally you should be able to meet all your daily requirements with your daily food intake. In today’s polluted, and fast paced life, it is probable that most of us cannot live up to such a tall order! This is where your multivitamins and other specialized combinations such as the B vitamins, magnesium and calcium are very much appreciated by your body! Here are a few occasions when supplements are recommended.
- First, to keep your immune system functioning well, you need to provide all the nutrients that will prevent your body from falling ill.
- Second, various age groups (for example women, children and the elderly) can benefit from certain combinations of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
- Third, for specialized effects such as fat burning, muscle building and muscle recovery, there are specially designed supplements.
- Fourth, some people’s constitutions are more quickly affected by the ever increasing, negative environmental elements such as pollution and heavy metal intoxification.
- And lastly, people who are subjected to first and second hand smoke, alcohol consumption, or who ingest any other unnatural substances have much greater needs for certain vitamins as the body uses certain minerals and vitamins in considerably higher amounts in order to detox the body.
How much do we need?
The amount needed varies from each individual; however there are always recommended doses written on the supplement package. There are also many incredibly interesting books that can help define how much one would need for a specific condition. (See reference)
As an example, a smoker has a much higher need for Vitamin C, because this vitamin helps to expel toxins from the body that were created by inhaling the harmful substances of the cigarette.
Unfortunately though, the quantity of Vitamin C needed to properly rid these toxins would amount to about a bag of oranges a day! This is an obvious problem because then the person’s carbohydrate intake will be way too high. Here it is much safer to take the supplement that has been concentrated into much smaller amounts, directly from food substances.
Another example, are golfers who often complain of tremors in their swing. A supplement known as DAME has been found to be extremely helpful as it ‘talks’ to the neurotransmitters in the brain.
Your body will thank you for any extra help in boosting health and vitality. So for those of us who rely on Red Bull for its energy giving qualities, remember that it has a lot to do with the caffeine and B vitamins – which means you could do with a specialized course of supplements that are designed to increase your energy levels more naturally. For those of us considering taking supplements, remember that there are many really good products on the market, as well as those products that are only trying to outcompete the others. It is up to each person to ask questions and stay on top of the game. You only have one body, so make it one to be proud of!
Reference: Julian Whitaker, M.D. Dr Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing, Prima Publishing: Rocklin, CA, 1995
