What is Dietary Supplement ?

Taking supplements every day helps keep you healthy. As you get older, your body changes, and sometimes the food you eat might not give you all the vitamins and energy you need.

Thinking you don’t need supplements is a mistake. Science shows that most of us, about 90%, don’t get all the nutrients we need, even if we eat well. So, taking supplements in the right amount every day can be good for your long-term health.

There are five important reasons to take supplements every day to make sure you stay healthy.

Reasons for taking Supplement

5 Reasons to Take Supplements Every Day

1. Nutrient Absorption Decreases as You Age
   As you get older, your body changes, especially how it digests food and absorbs nutrients. This can make it harder for your body to get all the good stuff it needs from the food you eat. Plus, some medicines can take away important nutrients from your body. Taking supplements every day can help keep things balanced.
2. Avoid Harmful Chemicals
   The air we breathe and the food we eat sometimes have harmful chemicals that can mess with the vitamins and minerals in our bodies. These chemicals can weaken our immune system and digestion. Taking antioxidant supplements every day can help protect against this.
3. Poor Eating Habits
   Many of us don’t always eat the healthiest foods or have a balanced diet. Sometimes we eat too much fatty food, which can throw off our nutrient balance. Taking supplements can help make up for what our diet might be lacking.
4. Exercise Increases Nutrient Needs
   If you’re active, like an athlete or someone who exercises a lot, your body needs more vitamins and minerals to keep going. Taking protein powder or other supplements every day can help give your body the extra boost it needs.
5. Prevent Expensive Health Problems
   It’s better to prevent health issues before they happen rather than deal with them later. Taking regular supplements along with exercising and seeing your doctor regularly can help keep you healthy and save you from costly health problems down the road. Make sure to include essential supplements in your diet to keep your health in check.

Do Supplements Work?

Some studies say yes, while others say no. It’s a bit mixed. For example, there’s no proof that ginkgo biloba helps with memory, even though many people use it for that. Fish oil might help your heart, but some studies disagree.
Even though the FDA watches over supplements, they don’t have to prove they work before they’re sold. This means the claims on the label might not be true.
But some supplements seem to do what they say:
Pregnant women who take iron are less likely to get anemia.
Folate can help prevent certain birth defects.
Fiber supplements can help with constipation and lower cholesterol.
So, while not all supplements have proof behind them, some can help.

Side Effects of Supplements

For most people, taking common dietary supplements like multivitamins is usually safe and doesn’t cause big health problems.

But anyone can have a bad reaction to a supplement, especially if they take too much. Taking too many supplements can lead to different health issues like liver problems, bleeding too much, or even having a stroke.

If you have serious side effects from a supplement, you might feel:

• Stomach pain
• Throwing up
• Feeling dizzy or tired
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Fast heartbeat
• Trouble peeing or pee that looks dark
• Diarrhea or poop with blood
• Not wanting to eat
• Losing weight without trying

If you’re allergic to a supplement, you might get a rash, itchiness, or swelling in your throat, tongue, or lips.

If you have any of these symptoms, get medical help right away.

How to safely take these Supplements

Here are some simple steps to use supplements safely:

1. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you’re already taking other medications or supplements.
2. Follow the directions on the supplement label exactly.
3. If you have any side effects from a supplement, stop taking it and see a doctor right away.
4. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before taking any supplements. Not all supplements are safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
5. If you have surgery coming up, tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking. Some supplements can affect anesthesia and make you bleed more after surgery.

Conclusion:
You can use dietary supplements to fix vitamin and mineral shortages and make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need each day. Some supplements might even help with health problems or make you feel better.
But we still don’t know everything about how well supplements work. It’s best to talk to a doctor before you start taking one. They can tell you about any possible side effects or if it might not work well with any other medicine you’re taking.