It is not always possible to get all the vitamins the body needs through natural nutrition. For this reason, dietary supplements were made to provide the body with all the important nutrients and vitamins in a simple and uncomplicated way. Dietary supplements contain vitamins and nutrients in concentrated form and often in high doses.
What are dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements can be taken in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, effervescent tablets or liquids. The dietary supplements are freely available. You can buy them in drugstores, pharmacies, supermarkets or in an online shop. Some funds even will as part of a medical treatment offered.
Dietary supplements must not have the same effect as medication and must not be advertised with such an effect. If the food supplements are advertised as antihypertensive agents, they must be approved as medicinal products. A dietary supplement may contain several vitamins.
For example, it can contain vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E or folic acid, vitamin precursors, vitamin-like substances, minerals and trace elements, fatty acids or protein components. Carbohydrates or other ingredients can also be found in a dietary supplement. Through the dietary supplements, the body can benefit significantly absorb more minerals and vitaminsas it would otherwise be possible through a normal diet (source: idealo magazine )
In addition, the label of a food supplement must always contain information such as amount, dose, recommended daily intake and a warning that the dietary supplement should be kept out of the reach of children. Also an indication that the dietary supplement is a healthy eating cannot replace, should be written on the packaging label.
Dosage of dietary supplements
Dietary supplements contain important micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, as already mentioned above in the text. These substances are vital for the body. However, overdosing can also be very dangerous.
You can use dietary supplements with isolated nutrients be harmful to health if the dosage is too high. However, the increased values cannot be achieved with a normal diet. There are risk-based recommendations for dietary supplements, which is why the recommended intake on the packaging should not be exceeded.
Because dietary supplements contain vitamins in concentrated and isolated form contain, the nutrients can be overdosed faster. But how much is too much? Products that adhere to the recommendations of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment are safe for people aged 15 and over.
However, the values are only guidelines that no manufacturer has to adhere to. If a doctor should use higher amounts for medical reasons, these must of course also be taken into account. If you also want to take nutritional supplements, you should always adhere to the recommended dosage on the packaging.
If you also notice physical changes from taking the dietary supplements, these should not be neglected. In addition, several products with the same ingredients should not be combined with one another.
How do dietary supplements work?
The reasons for taking supplements can be different. Some users promise one another preventive effect for disease prevention, other people want to compensate for their unbalanced diet. A performance-enhancing effect can also be a reason why additional vitamins are taken.
Others, on the other hand, would like a remedy for exhaustion, tiredness or others cosmetic motifs. In the end, nutritional supplements do exactly what they are supposed to do, they are a supplement to the diet. The food supplements can also be taken preventively in a certain way.
For example, during pregnancy you have one increased need for various micronutrients. A vitamin B12 substitution is also essential as a vegan. A low intake of food always results in a low intake of active substances.
For this reason, dietary supplements can also be taken preventively in this case. However, it can be said that the dietary supplements are simply ineffective for people who eat healthily. If the dosage of individual ingredients is too high, some products can even be harmful.
Since there is no approval for dietary supplements, as is the case with pharmaceuticals, the products are not tested for their effectiveness and safety. The manufacturer is solely responsible for the products.
What does vitamin B complex mean?
In connection with dietary supplements one reads again and again the so-called Vitamin B complex. Products with several B vitamins are among the most popular dietary supplements. Vitamin B is a group of vitamins.
The B vitamins take on various tasks in the body. However, the individual tasks are closely related in terms of their functions. B vitamins have a positive effect on the functioning of the brain, Nerves and energy metabolism.
Can Diet Supplements Be Harmful?
Too much nutrients can have a negative effect on the body. For example, beta-carotene is said to promote the development of lung cancer in smokers. It is therefore recommended not to use beta-carotene in dietary supplements.
Vitamin A can do the Disrupt development of the child in the womb, which is why pregnant women are not advised to consume vitamin A in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Products with high doses of antioxidants are also not recommended. Certain trace elements such as iron should only be taken after consulting a doctor and only if a deficiency is proven.
If there are too many nutrients in the body, such as iron, they can prevent the absorption of other nutrients. So that your body is not damaged, you should make sure that how much your body needs and which products are really good. It is often said that US products are most likely to cause a problematic overdose.