What are Food Supplements?

December 1, 2008 No Comments

Food supplements should be construed in its proper place to mean substances which give nutrients to be added to food to enhance some nutritional benefits to the receiving consumer. It may be a nutrient not found in the food or deficient in the food, or a certain substance that may enhance the nutritional benefits of the food.

In this context, food supplements are categorized or classed as: food supplements taken in addition to the normal diet; food supplements which repair a nutritional deficit in the food to raise it to its normal level; and food supplements which would enhance the nutritional level of the food.

While some physicians disagree with the use of food supplements however all agree to the beneficial effects of giving food supplements to patients, like the giving of calcium to elderlies to prevent osteoporesis or folic acid to pregnant women.

For the purpose of enhancing some human natural hormones, some food supplements are produced specifically designed to increase muscle mass and reduce fats, such as amino acids, vitamins and phytochemicals.

Usually vitamins and minerals are given as food supplements to booster whatever nutritional deficiency there is in food.

Another type of food supplements is the so-called nutraceuticals. These are food supplements used as medicine in treating disorders like those affecting the immune system including cancers.

For a thorough understanding, allow us to define for you the term vitamin. It is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism and must be obtained from diet. Thus the term is quite conditional both in circumstances and the particular organism. As an example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not to others, and vitamin D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others, and vitamins D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

Some essential nutrients are not included as vitamins and these are the dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or amino acids. It is noteworthy to mention that vitamins have diverse biochemical functions, including functions like hormones such as vitamin D, or antioxidants like vitamin E, or cell function mediators for cell and tissue growth like vitamin A. B-complex vitamins act as catalysts and substrates in metabolism. Biotin is involved in making fatty acids.

Vitamins are very essential in the growth and development of any multicellular organism, like human beings. But before the 1900s, vitamins were obtained from food intake and changes in the diet. After such time, vitamins are produced as commodity chemicals and widely available as inexpensive pills making it as food supplements in its dietary intake.

It is well to remember that these nutrients facilitate the chemical reactions that produce among others, skin, bones and muscles. Any deficiency therewith would result to deficiency diseases.  It is equally important to note that to maintain healthy cells, tissues, and organs, vitamins remain as essential nutrients.

Some very common vitamin deficiencies must be remembered for its usual occurrence- a deficiency in thiamine (B1) would result to beriberi, a deficiency in niacin to pellagra, vitamin C to scurvy and vitamin D to rickets. Hence, food supplementation is a must especially for infants and growing children.

Some evidence also suggests that there is a link between vitamin deficiency and mental disorders.

Vitamins taken in large quantities may produce toxicity and it is therefore prudent to use it in its proper dosage. Patients may complain of vomiting, diarrhea, and vomiting. Others may complain of unsteady gait, confusion or nerve symptoms.

When side effects emerge, recovery is often accomplished by reducing the dosage. The concentrations of vitamins an individual can tolerate vary widely, and appear to be related to age and state of health.

Food Supplements