WHAT ARE SUPPLEMENTS, AND ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOU?
Many of us take dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, fibers, and other products that we read about or have heard of, that can supplement our diets and help manage our health issues.
These products (also known as food supplements or nutritional supplements) are considered concentrated vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fibers, and/or other substances that are intended to supplement the diet.
Some call taking dietary supplements complementary medicine, or alternative medicine.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine, advocates of dietary supplements claim that they have a certain, often preventive or strengthening, effect on the body. Supplements are available in capsules, pills, powder and ampules. From a legal point of view, dietary supplements rank among foods and, therefore, as opposed to medications, do not need official approval.
Supplements are over-thecounter products, which means you don’t have to go to a pharmacy to buy them. They can also be sold in places such as drug stores and supermarkets.
Choosing supplements that have been certified by third-party testing may be a good way to determine whether to use some supplements. Currently, not much research is available and publicized by governing bodies or medical experts, such as The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is important to talk to your primary care physician and to communicate what supplements and medicines you are taking, along with reporting any changes.
A medical professional is there to advise on supplements, diet, and medication that would best support your health needs.
Follow your health care provider's direction, especially if you take conventional drugs and need advice on what drugs and/or supplements you may need to maintain your health.
Supplements contain nutrients such as vitamins or minerals that are also found in regular foods, but in a more concentrated form and often at a higher dose.
A dietary supplement is not necessarily made from plants, such as garlic. It could also be an animal dietary supplement, or an animal product, like fish oil, or made synthetically. Some vitamin brands will make supplements synthetically, animal or plant-based, but the ingredients will show what they are made of. Some further research may need to be done to see which product works best.
Consult with your provider for directions and recommendations for different brands based on how they are processed.
We might take supplements with the hope of maintaining or even improving our health. I do. I take vitamins to be healthy.
The problem with taking supplements is that there is no definitive research by the FDA on their safety and effectiveness. The FDA does not test supplements.
The research that has been conducted suggests that supplements might cause harm, for example, overstimulating the immune system in those with autoimmune diseases or interfering with medications, or if taking too much, or may not be what you need to supplement your diet and health needs.
Determining which supplements may be beneficial for you can be challenging, but consulting with your healthcare team before taking any supplements is the safest and most effective way to take charge of your health.
The NIH has an Office of Dietary Supplements (https://ods.od. nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunc tion-Consumer/) and has the goal of “Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding Dietary Supplements.”
On the website, there is some information and research on taking non-FDA-approved pills, etc. For years, I have taken vitamins and minerals and have always told my doctors. They get updates on medications that are FDA approved. With minimal research conducted on supplements, doctors cannot advise scientifically whether they are good for us to take.
Perhaps I can ask to be referred to a dietitian, but again, will they have any solid evidence of what my supplements could do for my health? Or are there other resources or health experts out there to advise on specific health needs?
So, if you wonder if you should take a dietary supplement, some of them include:
•Vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or folic acid.
•Pro-vitamins, such as beta-carotene minerals and trace elements, like magnesium, iron and zinc.
•Fatty acids, such as omega- 3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Other ingredients, such as brewer’s yeast, algae, and probiotics.
•Parts of proteins, such as L-cysteine or L-carnitine.
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis.
She can be reached at kzielins@sister sosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
