Health and Dietary supplements are those products that everyone may use to add essential nutrients into their bodies. People generally consume supplements because their regular requirement of nutrients is not fulfilled through their diet. There exist a different variety of health and nutrition supplements that are made to provide many health benefits.
Due
to limited rules & regulations, it is not always clear that which
supplements are made from high-quality ingredients. Due to which few can be
waste of money or sometimes dangerous also.
I am
writing this guide to cover all you need to know about supplements. Because
like you, I also want that people to only choose a safe and high-quality product
when any go supplement store near them or order online.
Neither
all supplements are made equal nor are the manufacturers equal in terms in
research, development, knowledge, standards, and lab testing capabilities, etc.
Almost half of US population take regularly takes dietary supplements in their
desired form. These forms include tablets, powder, capsules, or liquid, etc.
The fact that they are available at any pharmacy or even supplement shop near me without showing any prescription, is the most dangerous thing ever. Whenever
I am visiting a supplement shop near me to buy any new supplement, I always
take advice from any nutritionist or dietician for safety.
In
general, those who take an adequate amount of nutrients through their food, do
not require additional supplements. It is most preferred to get all the
essential nutrients through your general diet only. But some struggle to fulfill
their requirement through food only. While traveling to my supplement shop near
me, I tend to buy natural foods as well.
Below
are a group of people who will be needing supplements, such as:
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pregnant or breastfeeding women
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infants
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people with diagnosed nutritional deficiencies
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people with a nutrient malabsorption condition
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who has undergone bariatric surgery like gastric bypass, etc?
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who follows restricted dietary foods?
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Vegans and Vegetarians
What does science say about supplements?
Like
any other thing in this world, some supplements have a good effect on your
health, while others have not so good effects. If anyone wants to check the
effectiveness of different supplements, they may visit the NCCIH website
to check their authenticity. That is why I always NCCIH Website before visiting
any supplement shop near me.
It
is being said about supplements that what is on its label, it's not necessary
that it is in the product. For example, Food & Drug Administration has
found prescription drugs, including such as anticoagulants, anticonvulsants and
few others in dietary supplements.
Few
supplements might be harmful to you if you are having a particular medical
condition or if you are taking certain prescribed medicines. For an instance,
a herbal supplement named St. John’s wort makes many existing medications
less effective.
Dietary
supplements result in an estimated 23,000 emergency room visits every year in
the United States, according to a 2015 study. Many of the patients are young
adults having heart problems from weight-loss or energy products and older
adults having swallowing problems from taking large vitamin pills.
Although
it’s still rare, more cases are being reported of acute (sudden) liver damage
in people taking dietary supplements in the United States and elsewhere. The
liver injury can be severe, can require an emergency liver transplant, and is
sometimes fatal. Considering all the points before visiting any supplement shop
near me is an effective method to avoid these harms.
In most cases, multivitamins or herbal supplements aren’t likely to pose any
health risks. Still, it’s important to be cautious when you put
anything in your body.
Supplements
may interact with other medications you’re taking or pose risks if you have
certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, or are going to have
surgery. Some supplements also haven’t been tested in pregnant women, nursing
mothers, or children, and you may need to take extra precautions before taking
these supplements.
My checklist:
Here
is a list of checklists that I must check before visiting any supplement shop
near me.
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Do I need to think about my total diet?
Yes.
Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diets of some people, but
not to replace the balance of the variety of foods important to a healthy diet.
While you need enough nutrients, too much of some nutrients can cause problems.
You can find information on the functions and potential benefits of vitamins
and minerals, as well as upper safe limits for nutrients at the National
Academy of Sciences website External Link Disclaimer. I believe that knowing
about the diet is the first and most important question that needs to be
answered whenever I am visiting a supplement shop near me.
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Should I check with my doctor or healthcare provider before using a supplement?
This
is a good idea, especially for certain population groups. Dietary supplements
may not be risk-free under certain circumstances. If you are pregnant, nursing
a baby, or have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, hypertension, or
heart disease, be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing
or taking any supplement. While vitamin and mineral supplements are widely used
and generally considered safe for children, you may wish to check with your
doctor or pharmacist before giving these or any other dietary supplements to
your child. If you plan to use a dietary supplement in place of drugs or in
combination with any drug, tell your health care provider first. Many
supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects and
their safety is not always assured in all users. If you have certain health
conditions and take these products, you may be placing yourself at risk. I
always consult my doctor before visiting any supplement shop near me.
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Some supplements may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
is it true?
Taking
a combination of supplements or using these products together with medications
(whether prescription or OTC drugs) could under certain circumstances produce
adverse effects, some of which could be life-threatening. Be alert to
advisories about these products, whether taken alone or in combination. For
example: Coumadin (a prescription medicine), ginkgo Biloba (an herbal
supplement), aspirin (an OTC drug), and vitamin E (a vitamin supplement) can
each thin the blood, and taking any of these products together can increase the
potential for internal bleeding.
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Some supplements can have unwanted effects during surgery. is it true?
It
is important to fully inform your doctor about the vitamins, minerals, herbals
or any other supplements you are taking, especially before elective surgery.
You may be asked to stop taking these products at least 2-3 weeks ahead of the
procedure to avoid potentially dangerous supplement/drug interactions -- such
as changes in heart rate, blood pressure and increased bleeding - that could
adversely affect the outcome of your surgery. I always check if they harm me
due to my present medications when making a purchase from a supplement shop
near me.
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Who is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements?
Under
the law, manufacturers of dietary supplements are responsible for making sure
their products are safe before they go to market. They are also responsible for
determining that the claims on their labels are accurate and truthful. Dietary
supplement products are not reviewed by the government before they are
marketed, but FDA has the responsibility to take action against any unsafe
dietary supplement product that reaches the market. If FDA can prove that
claims on marketed dietary supplement products are false and misleading, the
agency may take action also against products with such claims. All these
checklists are a must whenever you are visiting a supplement shop near you.
Conclusion:
As
supplements are subject to fairly limited regulation by the FDA, it can be
confusing to figure out which supplements are safe and effective.
When
shopping for vitamins and other supplements, look for products that have been
third-party tested and contain safe levels of vitamins and minerals.
When
I am visiting a supplement shop near me, Due to potential interactions and
safety concerns, always talk with your doctor before taking any vitamin or
supplement product — especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any
medications, or have or suspect that you have a medical condition.