Are Dietary Supplements Worth the Risk? Benefits and Risks Explained
The use of dietary supplements is actually widespread throughout the world. About 58% of adults consume dietary supplements.
No matter how many benefits these supplements offer, they cannot eliminate the risks associated with them. Over 95% of people don't know the risks and benefits of dietary supplements; are you one of them?
We wrote this article to help you understand the benefits and dangers of supplements. let's start!
What are dietary supplements?
Have you taken any dietary supplements? Or are you completely clueless and wondering what exactly a dietary supplement is?
These dietary supplements provide nutrition. These include amino acids, enzymes, herbs, botanicals and vitamins.
They are mostly available in the form of pills, snack bars, powders and even gummies.
Why use dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements add additional nutrients to our diet. You may need them to combat vitamin deficiencies. They are used to increase overall health benefits.
These dietary supplements have been used for decades; first, when it was first introduced in the 1940s, it had a huge impact on its ability to expand into healthier options, and the impact has not waned since.
Benefits of dietary
Supplements Considering that more than half of the population takes dietary supplements, concerns about their risks have grown. However, they have several advantages.
Some vitamins and nutrients are used on their own to fill nutritional gaps in the diet. Still, a person who is eating right and exercising should not need any dietary supplements. Obviously, from vitamins A to E, these dietary supplements contain a variety of nutrients that can be used to address many problems. Dietary supplements are commonly used for three reasons.
First, these supplements are used to improve health. Several different probiotics and multivitamins nourish the body, enhance daily performance, and enhance lifestyle.
Second, dietary supplements are primarily intended to address specific health concerns. For example;
● Vitamins A and E improve skin and help solve various eye problems.
● Vitamin D builds strong bones.
● Vitamin B12 is used to fight anemia.
Third, doctors recommend dietary supplements as a preventive measure rather than a prescription for existing problems.
For example, many pregnant women take folic acid to ensure a healthy delivery and reduce the risk of birth defects.
Besides the amazing health benefits of these supplements, we always recommend that you consult a nutritionist before taking them.
Dietary Supplements Are Risky
When we separate fact from fiction, dietary supplements pose risks and health threats that are mostly ignored or disregarded. Not all of them, but high doses or frequent use of certain supplements can pose a risk to your health.
● High doses can damage kidney health, and certain supplements can lead to many cardiovascular problems.
● Also, taking supplements such as calcium without a prescription can be dangerous and can become lodged in veins and cause heart attacks and strokes.
● In order to lose weight, people often reduce the intake of nutrients, and resort to multivitamins and probiotics, resulting in an extreme lack of various nutrients in the body.
Please consult a nutritionist before taking any dietary supplement!
The biggest mistake a person can make is taking any dietary supplement without a doctor's prescription.
For example, a woman who suffers from joint and bone pain suspects a calcium deficiency and starts taking calcium supplements when in fact the cause of the joint pain is excess calcium resistance in the joints.
Taking calcium supplements not only makes the pain worse, but actually puts you at risk for heart disease and brain disease from excess calcium.
Conclusion
However, there are some supplements that won't do much to your health, but using these without the right information can lead to the worst. However, you shouldn't replace your diet with dietary supplements; if you eat a balanced diet, you don't need supplements. While certain supplements and nutrients are important for certain health conditions, be sure to consult your physician before beginning any supplement.