A daily dose
The word supplement means adding something to make it larger or better.
In the wake of wellness culture, dietary supplements have become increasingly popular. The increased promotion of supplementation through influencer and celebrity endorsement has led us to believe that we need to take every supplement under the sun to somehow be considered ‘healthy.’
Supplement usage traces back to the mid-20th century, meaning they have been in circulation for less than a century. After synthesising and isolating all the types of vitamins our body needs to survive, clinicians began looking to address health issues through single vitamin supplements. These pills were a predecessor to what is now known as the multivitamin.
Supplements continued to rise in popularity from that point. The increasing modernisation of agriculture between the 1970’s to 1990’s, as well as the rise in commercial retail stores selling prepackaged and processed foods led to a dramatic change in people’s dietary habits. One of which included a lack of nutrients and to fill this gap more people started to turn to dietary supplements.
It is recommended that people get vitamins and minerals from eating a variety of healthy, unprocessed foods. Vitamins and minerals are referred to as micronutrients because the body only needs them in small amounts (milligram [mg] or microgram [µg] amounts), although they are essential for a diverse range of important physiological functions. Therefore, some vitamins and minerals may be absorbed more efficiently by the body from foods consumed as part of a balanced diet rather than from food supplements.
The misconception about vitamin supplements is that taking these solely will be sufficient enough in replacement for consuming a healthy, balanced diet. A nutrient-dense diet will provide the body with all essential micronutrients and should not be used as a substitute. Instead, it could be considered as something to enhance the benefits already provided by a well-rounded diet. Some supplements offer specific health benefits, such as a probiotic, which can promote gut health, whilst antioxidants such as vitamin C may aid in the body’s defence against oxidative stress.
Supplementation may be recommended by a healthcare professional in some instances. Before introducing supplements into the diet, consult with a GP or pharmacist. A dietary supplement may also be recommended for pregnant women, older people, those with medical conditions, or those on a restricted diet. However, it is important to be mindful when taking vitamins and mineral supplements, as consumption in large doses can be harmful to health and cause toxicity.
It is important to consider specifically what you are putting into your body and your reasoning behind making this decision. Are you supplementing to enhance and complement an already existing varied diet or has it been recommended you supplement due to a deficiency or health condition? If neither of these options resonates, maybe the focus needs to be more on consuming a balanced diet that is more nutrient-dense so you won’t feel the need to splash your cash on additional pills and potions.
For more information about taking steps towards a balanced diet exactly you can read more information here.