What are Mineral and Vitamin Supplements?June 29, 2019
Having a balanced and healthy diet is the ideal way to obtain adequate levels of vitamins and minerals. They are essential for vital metabolic reactions and in healthy functioning of the human body. However, some people may need to take supplements to meet their body’s needs.
Mineral and vitamin supplements are very popular among Australians. Nearly 60% of the population purchases and uses them regularly. But, what exactly are these supplements?What benefits do they hold and are they safe?
What are vitamin and mineral supplements?
Made from medicinal plants, natural extracts and concentrated fruits and vegetables, supplements exist in the form of pills, tablets, powders and/or liquids. They act as a an additional route for vitamin and mineral input for the body.
To read more about vitamins (click here).
Who can supplements benefit?
Supplements cannot replace a balanced and healthy diet but can help people with needs to continue living a healthy life. Examples include:
- People who consume high amounts of alcohol;
- Drug users;
- Women with excessive menstrual bleeding;
- People who follow a restricted diet or don’t eat a variety of foods, such as dieters, vegans and vegetarians;
- People older than 50 years of age;
- Women who might be or are pregnant, and who are breastfeeding;
- People with malabsorption issues, such as diarrhoea and constipation;
- Breastfed infants;
- People with allergies, including food and environmental allergies;
- People with medical conditions such heart diseases and osteoporosis; and
- People who are injured or recovering from surgery.
What can supplements help you with?
Intaking supplements can be used for various reasons raging from ensuring healthy body functions to combating deficiencies and mitigating potential health risks. Supplements can help with:
- Cardiovascular health;
- Digestion health;
- Energy levels;
- Bone and muscle fragility and strength;
- Mental health;
- Skin health;
- Weight gain/loss;
- Hair gain/loss
- Improving eyesight; and
- Many more.
What supplements are recommended?
In today’s world, we are exposed to unhealthy food via our diets with poor nutrients and high-calorie content. Even the air we breathe and the water we drink contains toxins that are unhealthy for us. Supplement intake would be an ideal solution to add missing nutrients to our diet. Here are 6 recommended supplements for optimum health:
Are supplements safe?
Although various benefits exist for supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements can be toxic in high doses. For example, vitamins A, D, E and K can be stored in the body for a long time and high doses can lead to symptoms of toxicity.
For this reason, it would be highly recommended to to speak to a health professional who can help determine safe and effective doses of supplements. This will help in addressing the health need more effectively.
At Ubuntu Medical, we care about all aspects of health and well-being. We have a group of allied health professionals to assist with all persons needing help and advice regarding any health matter.
Call Ubuntu Medical on (07) 3857 3777 or email us at [email protected]