Can nutritional supplements really make you healthy? While some may be beneficial, the key to success with vitamins and minerals is eating a balanced diet.
Although nutritional supplements may sound great, there are also many questions. Which ones are really effective? How exactly are they effective? Is it worth the money?
These are good questions for anyone who wants to live healthier. But before you buy anything from vitamin A to zinc, remember that there’s only one way to ensure your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. It’s about eating a variety of healthy foods.
Discuss your personal needs with your doctor.
First, let’s eat!
“Registered dietitians recommend foods first because they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, and they also contain dietary elements that are not included in vitamin and mineral supplements,” says Nutrition. Penny Chris Etherton, Ph.D., RD, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition. Penn State University College of Health and Human Development.
For example, she points out that foods contain many bioactive compounds and dietary fiber that aren’t typically found in supplements. Also, some supplements may not absorb vitamins completely.
“If taken on an empty stomach without eating, some fat-soluble vitamins are not absorbed as well as they are if the supplement is taken with foods that provide fat,” said fellow volunteer Chris Etherton. To tell. In collaboration with the American Heart Association.
Please consult your healthcare provider
Although dietary supplements may support health, they are not a substitute for a diet of nutritious foods. Vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken in addition to a healthy eating pattern and only when recommended by a doctor or nutritionist.
The 2020 to 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) states that some people may not be able to meet their needs for one or more nutrients by other means, such as during certain life stages such as pregnancy. Nutraceuticals have been shown to be helpful. However, the DGA also states that nutritional needs should be primarily met through food, as food provides a range of nutrients that are beneficial to health.
“a [dietary] Supplements typically provide 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of all vitamins and minerals,” said Chris Eaterton. “Therefore, most nutritionists would agree that supplements are OK if your nutritional needs are not met by a healthy food-based diet.”
what is best for you
The American Heart Association recommends that
- Overall heart healthy eating pattern. Limit excess calories, added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources such as plant proteins, fish and seafood, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and nuts and legumes.
- Fish consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that patients with no documented heart disease eat a variety of fish, preferably fish containing omega-3s, at least twice a week. Examples of these types of fish include salmon, herring, trout, halibut, and albacore tuna.
- Avoid taking antioxidant vitamin supplements such as A, C, and E. Scientific evidence does not support their benefits for lowering blood pressure, blood cholesterol, or smoking cessation. Instead, include lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, vegetable oils, and other plant foods to get enough vitamins and minerals with beneficial antioxidant properties.
- Don’t rely solely on supplements. There is not enough data to suggest that healthy people benefit from taking more than the recommended daily intake of certain vitamins and minerals.
