A dietary supplement, also known as nutritional supplements or food supplements, are preparations intended to provide nutrients, such as vitamins (A, B, C etc), minerals (calcium etc), fibre, fatty acids or amino acids, which are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person's diet. Antioxidants are also gaining popularity these days.
So now the million dollar question that arises is: Do you really need them? And the answer is yes, you do. The trouble with the majority of individuals is that they base their health on how they feel. The common misconception being that if one feels healthy and is in good shape now, he/she does not need supplements. But the bitter truth is that nutritional deficiency is virtually unavoidable in these modern times. Our lifestyle has become such that, now it is extremely tricky to have optimum daily nutrition.
This is where health supplements come in. They work by complementing your diet to make sure you get the right nutrients that you need. Some benefits of nutrition supplements are given below:
They aid in the body's abilities to ward off disease and sickness. When the body has a proper nutritional balance, it is better able to fight off infections or sickness.
They provide your body the fuel it needs to enhance re-growth and healing within the body. We need all the nutrients in their proper amounts for optimal health.
The right Nutritional Supplements can also aid in the body's ability to burn off fat and increase metabolism. When this is the case, it is easier to lose weight and stay healthy.
They help you to fight against the aging process. As you grow older you lose bone density, muscle mass, and nutrients at a quicker pace. Because your body is beginning to change, it needs more vitamins as a part of its daily diet. This helps the body to maintain its natural nutritional balance.
Thus dietary supplements are vital for everyone, especially for athletes. They supplement the power of an athlete and enhance their performance significantly. Some of the major supplements being used for performance enhancement include: creatine, androstiendione, beta-hydroxy-betamethylbutyrate (HMB), amino acid complexes, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), ginseng, and phosphogen.
However, it is important to choose very carefully the nutritional supplements that you purchase. Look into the background of the manufacturer or supplier of the supplements and make sure they are GMP (good manufacturing practice) compliant. In other words, they should meet quality control standards as well as provide these vital nutrients in a delivery form that has the greatest benefit. Moreover, always examine the label thoroughly and don't forget to check the expiry date.
As everyone is unique, you will need to figure out what works best for you. Always remember to consult your physician before you start taking any nutritional supplements because these can do a lot of good but also can be very harmful to you as well, if used without proper prescription.
