Supplement Trends

Evidence is emerging that Dietary supplements not only treat deficiencies, but also help in controlling and preventing heart diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, and other chronic diseases. They are also helpful in improving lifestyle, health conditions, quality of life and also self -treatment. Supplements today include herbs, botanicals, animal and plant extracts target conditions like joint health, gut remedies, blood fat, skeletal health, body fat, optimal vision, sleep problems, stress, depression, anxiety, breast and prostate health and hormone imbalances. Other ingredients used as basic supplement are Chicken essence, garlic, cordyceps, ginseng, tangkwei, linzhi, lycium, gingko boloba, black cohosh, echinacea, omega-3 fatty acids, evening primrose oil, capsaicin, lycopene, green tea extract, grape seed extract etc.

Supplement With A Dose Of Caution:
Evidence is certainly growing that some supplements maybe beneficial, but for maximum efficacy and to prevent adverse reactions or toxicity, caution must be exercised when taking supplements. Firstly, it is important to read product labels, follow recommended dosages, heed all warnings and to consult a doctor or health professional, especially if taking any medications or undergoing treatment for a specific medical condition. Secondly, avoid taking too many supplements at a time, to prevent or reduce the risk of supplements interacting and interfering with one another. Thirdly, it is important to remember supplements should never be used as an alternative to healthy lifestyle and diet, which remain fundamental prerequisites for a healthy life. For example, some nutrients can only be found in foods or may only provide benefits if consumed in food form and cannot be replaced by supplements. Also, neither food nor supplements, can be regarded as substitutes for the benefits of physical activity .It is also important to remember that supplements may be used to protect against illnesses and aid recovery, but cannot cure diseases

Though the evidence of benefits of dietary supplements are growing, it is always suggested to execute caution while taking supplements. This helps in achieving maximum efficiency, prevent adverse or toxic reactions. When opting for medicated supplements the following should be implemented:

1. Read product labels, follow recommended dosages, observe the mentioned warnings and consult a doctor or health professional, especially if taking undergoing treatment for a specific medical condition.
2. Too many supplements should never be taken at a given time. This prevents and reduces the risk of supplements interaction and interference with each other, which might be harmful.
3. Supplements should never be used as an alternative to healthy lifestyle and diet. These will always remain the basic necessity for a healthy life e.g. some nutrients are only found in food or may only provide benefits if consumed in food form. These cannot be replaced by any supplements.

Neither food nor supplements can be substituted for the benefits of physical activity. Supplements may be used for protection against diseases and help in recovery but they cannot cure diseases.