A breakdown of what supplements do and what that means for your health.

Dietary supplements are nothing new: from brightly-colored gummies marketed to children to daily capsules meant for men and women alike, there is no shortage of options out there. While advertisements for supplements are widespread, information about what they actually accomplish – and whether they are actually useful – isn’t as easy to come by. Today, we’re doing a brief overview of all things supplements, covering what supplements do, when they’re a useful addition to your daily routine, and whether you should consider taking them. Let’s go ahead and get started.

What Are Supplements?

Dietary supplements are pills, gummies, capsules, liquid, or powders that are used to supplement your body’s needs, to treat a specific condition, or to treat a nutrient deficiency. Ingredients can include vitamins, fats, enzymes, fiber, minerals, amino acids, or herbs and the supplements can contain one specific nutrient (like Omega 3 capsules or iron pills) or a combination of them (like a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamins).

There’s been quite a bit of discourse over the year regarding the effectiveness and usefulness of supplements: are they really necessary? Do they make that much of a difference? Well, yes and no.

The most important thing to note is that supplements cannot and should be used as a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet and active lifestyle. The best way to make sure your body gets most of the nutrients it needs is to consume them via a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods. With that said, supplements can be useful and effective at doing just what their name suggests: supplementing a healthy, balanced diet, covering the small gaps that your diet does not, treating an identified deficiency, or treating a specific condition. This is especially true for individuals who have certain health conditions.

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Common Reasons for Taking Supplements

Ultimately, whether or not you take supplements – and the supplements you should be taking in the first place – is something that can only be accurately determined by conversations with your physician. With that said, it is typical for specific supplements to be recommended to people with certain health conditions. For example, people with osteoporosis are usually instructed to maintain a diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D, and they might be instructed to take supplements for these two nutrients, as well. In addition, someone who is taking an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection may be instructed to take a probiotic supplement in order to maintain a good balance of healthy bacteria in their gut. Patients with heart disease might benefit from a daily Omega 3 supplement, while iron supplements are often recommended for individuals who are anemic.

With all of that said, always consult with your doctor before starting a new supplement. There are countless supplement manufacturers and brands out there, and ensuring that you’re taking the best possible supplements starts with choosing the supplements and brands that your doctor recommends.

What supplements do ultimately comes down to the biological needs and health conditions of the person taking them. Supplements can be a very beneficial part of your daily routine, but it’s important to consult with your doctor to determine what supplements – if any – are the right choice for you. To learn more about supplements, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us.

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