Loading ...Nutritional Supplements And Herbal Diet
What is a dietary supplement? A dietary supplement usually comes in the form of a liquid, tablet, capsule or pill. It supplements the normal food that we eat. It contains either one or sometimes more nutritious dietary ingredient such as minerals, vitamins, amino acids, herbs or other substances. It should also carry a label that it is a dietary supplement.
Dietary supplements usually contain micronutrients which help the body to function smoothly and improve the health of the individual. A healthy diet of grains, vegetables and fruits is the best source of natural nutrients. But, sometimes an unbalanced diet may lead to a lack of these essential nutrients, leading to certain ailments or diseases. The body then needs extra quantities of these nutrients, which are then provided through these supplements.
Sometimes, the body requires extra doses of nutrients to fight certain diseases. Athletes, sportspersons and those who perform strenuous physical activities also need more nutrients to keep their body performing at an optimum level. In all such cases, medical experts recommend that the shortfall be met by dietary supplements.
For example, Vitamin A may be prescribed to someone to help stronger bone growth or to aid better vision. Vitamin E may be recommended to a person recuperating from a surgery or illness in order to strengthen the immune system, and help the body to heal itself.
Who Needs Dietary Supplements?
Individuals who may need dietary supplements are pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding their babies. Women of child-bearing age may need extra iron and calcium. Seniors who cannot chew properly, children who have irregular eating habits, dieters who have been told to avoid certain foods, all fall into the category of people who may need dietary supplements to boost their intake of nutrients.
Herbal supplements: Herbal supplements are made totally from plants and usually have a medicinal purpose. Roots, flowers, seeds, leaves and stalks are crushed and their juices extracted and treated to form such medicinal supplements. They are taken to promote general or specific organ (heart, liver, kidney) health.
Contraindications: Herbal supplements are becoming increasingly popular. While some of them are extremely helpful in promoting a healthy life, there are some precautions you should take. It is also best to read the labels and educate yourself about the effect they have on your body and health.
You may be allergic to certain ingredients in the herbal supplement. You may also be taking certain allopathic medicines, which may react with the herbal ingredients or interfere with the maximum absorption of the medicine.
It should be manufactured by a reliable company since many companies make tall and false claims about the effectiveness of their product. Although it should not be so, herbal products have also been found to contain toxic materials which can cause more harm than good. Hence the brand is again very important.
Pregnant and lactating mothers are generally advised to stay away from herbal supplements since the ingredients may prove to be harmful to the baby’s delicate system.
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