As an auxiliary means of diet, supplements are used to supplement the amino acids, trace elements, vitamins, minerals and so on. Multivitamins, calcium tablets, cod liver oil, natural vitamin E and so on are all common supplements. But can supplements really make you healthier? How should we choose supplements?
What is a supplement?
According to Wiki, A supplement is "a manufactured product intended to supplement the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients either extracted from food sources or synthetic, individually or in combination, in order to increase the quantity of their consumption.” Therefore, nutritional supplements are not drugs, and are not able to replace therapeutic drugs. Whether we can eat these food supplements at will or not? Of course not. Studies have shown that such supplements have little health benefits to normal humans and may even cause harm.
However, for some special people, who are prone to lack of nutrients, vitamin supplements can be used to make up for vitamins and minerals that cannot be satisfied by daily diet. For example, calcium and vitamin D are important for keeping strong. The demand for nutrients in pregnant or lactating women should be increased, especially the supplementation of folic acid in the first trimester, and the supplement of calcium and iron in the middle and late pregnancy. In the elderly and menopausal women, in order to reduce the loss of calcium in the bones, in addition to eating calcium-rich foods, you can also take calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Therefore, for those who have difficulty achieving a balanced diet, such as allergies, or vegetarians, taking nutritional supplements is an excellent way to keep fit. If you are sure of the nutrients you are missing, you can purchase the appropriate supplements. In addition, the most cost-effective way is to make your own supplements. Just put the extract powder or other supplements into empty capsules, you can get the cheapest supplements.
If you don't know how to choose empty capsules, 5 Different Types of Capsules - Pill Capsules Shell Guide may help you.
