Do you really need to take supplements?

You might have heard of diet supplements, or even taken some for certain reasons. There is a large variety being sold every day and the main purpose is to boost your vitamin or mineral needs.

We see, and at times use, supplements but how much do we really know about them?

The reason I ask this is because the entire topic on supplements is still a controversial subject. A lot of research is still being done and it is not clear whether they should be abandoned or added to our everyday diet.

As the discussion continues, let’s look at some of the main reasons why we should, or shouldn’t take diet supplements.

Many people support that the advantages of supplements outweigh the disadvantages.

In many cases, supplements have been very helpful especially for people with special needs like patients, the elderly and expectant women.

Many patients are suffering from conditions that cause deficiencies in their bodies. For that reason, supplements do a great job in helping them recover and regain the much needed deficient minerals.

Supplements are also great for senior citizens. As we age, our bodies change and they are no longer exactly how they used to be. For example, older people tend to have weakened bones. They might eat a very balanced diet to stay in the best shape. Supplements a great source of vital minerals and nutrients for older people.

Expectant women also benefit from these alternative sources of nutrients. It can often be hard to get all the nutritional needs from diet alone for expectant women. As thus, doctors recommend options like folic acid supplements which help with the baby’s development.

Another reason why supplements are good is the fact that they help boost general wellbeing. They balance out the nutrient needs we have when we don’t get enough. An example is supplements for strong hair which provide the body with extra nutrients and boost hair growth from the inside.

There are many good reasons for taking diet supplements. However, there are also some opposing reasons on why we shouldn’t embrace them wholeheartedly.

The first reason is that many of the products are unregulated, especially the ones sold over the counter in general stores. Being easily available, people tend to buy them without any professional guidance or advice. This guessing game can lead to an overload of vitamins in turn having a huge impact on your health.

Still on the topic of overdosing, it’s possible to get addicted to them. This is common especially in cut-throat industries like modeling where there is pressure to look a certain way. Models will pile on certain weight loss supplements to keep up with demand despite the long run risks associated.

Many people are willing to deal with side effects of these supplements like heart problems, seizures, liver and kidney problems and other health risks associated with them. For others, they find themselves at risk unknowingly.

Another problem is that, supplements might be effective but they can’t replace a healthy diet. Most of them, even the organic, shouldn’t be used as a replacement for food, as they can only do so much as, compared to food.