Why Are Dietary Supplements Good For Us?

Jun 10, 2009 @ 05:53 am by Guest Author
by Janet Hemley

People today are taking greater responsibility for their health and well-being. A proof of that is an increased demand for dietary supplements. Today there are thousands of dietary supplements on the market, but the question is - are they really necessary?

First, what exactly is a dietary or nutritional supplement? Supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. They must meet certain criteria. In short, they must contain certain components like vitamins, minerals, amino acids to supplement the diet, must be labeled as a dietary supplement and may not be represented as a conventional food.

Supplements come in a variety of forms, such as pills, capsules, powders, gel tabs, extracts, or drinks. They are much more than just vitamins and minerals. They can include herbals, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, animal extracts, probiotics, and other beneficial ingredients.

There are many reasons why people take them. They want improved health and wellbeing, increased energy, clearer skin, sharper mind, healthier heart, improved sleep, improved libido, fewer trips to the bathroom, and so on.

Do they actually work? They work by complementing your diet and can offer many other benefits as well. What is important is quality. Low quality products won’t help you much. In fact, if you’re buying low quality products, you’re not only wasting your money, you’re taking risks with your health.

What to look for when choosing a supplement? Always remember that quality matters. It’s good to read the ingredients and warnings and learn about the manufacturers. An honest company will stand behind their products and offer a full money back guarantee.

Dietary supplements are beneficial, especially for people who are not getting enough nutrients from their diets. But when it comes to promises, don’t believe everything you read. Just use caution and a bit of common sense and you will be healthy and safe.

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