Dietary Supplements. Are they for you?
Posted on 11/23/2004
You may not be getting all of the nutrients you need from the foods you eat. According to recent health surveys, few of us eat the recommended five daily servings of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
Indicators of optimal health include: high energy; good muscle development; smooth and clear skin; glossy hair; clear eyes; normal appetite, digestion and elimination; and alert mental functions.
If you are lacking in any of these areas, your foundation for health may be missing some important pieces!
We often hear that taking supplements, along with eating a well-balanced diet is a wise decision. However, there are so many different types of dietary supplements on the shelves these days, it’s sometimes difficult to sort it all out.
What are Dietary Supplements?
Dietary supplements are substances you eat or drink and can be vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants, amino acids, or parts of these. Dietary supplements can be found in many forms such as pills, tablets, capsules, liquids or powders.
A vitamin is an organic substance or chemical found in food that is absolutely necessary for life. Even though vitamins each have their own specific jobs, they also work together as a team. A deficiency in a vitamin can make us sick.
Minerals provide rigidity and strength to our teeth and bones that form our skeleton, help with nerve and muscle function, are vitally important in biochemical interactions and the normal clotting of blood, and for everyday tissue repair and growth. There are many minerals we need each day to keep us healthy.
Overall, dietary supplements are considered safe. Like conventional medicines, dietary supplements may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with prescription and nonprescription medications or other supplements you might be taking. A side effect or interaction with another medication or supplement may worsen other health conditions.
Always tell your health professional if you are using a dietary supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a dietary supplement. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Nutrient Functions
Here is a list of some of the nutrients we commonly hear about, along with their functions.
- Vitamin A – Involved in normal eyesight; immune system response; cell differentiation; wound healing; embryonic development; and healthy epithelial tissue, the tissue that lines the body’s external and internal surfaces
- Vitamin B1 – Plays a major role in the conversion of protein, carbohydrates and fats into energy. Also plays a role in detoxification, heart function and the health of the nervous system.
- Vitamin B2 – Essential for cellular energy production. Also supports hormone production, neurotransmitter function, healthy eyes and skin and the production of red blood cells.
- Vitamin B6 – Important in protein synthesis and the manufacture of hormones, red blood cells and enzymes. Supports cardiovascular health. Plays a role in brain function and skin health and is crucial for a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin B12 – Supports the health of the nervous system and the development of red blood cells. Aids in the replication of the genetic code within each cell. Plays a role in the processing of carbohydrates, protein and fats in the body.
- Vitamin C – An important antioxidant that helps protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. Supports the body’s immune system and is necessary for wound healing. Essential for the formation and maintenance of collagen, a protein that forms the basis for connective tissue. Plays a role in healthy gums, skin and vision.
- Calcium – Essential for the development and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth and gums. Helps maintain cell membranes, connective tissue and normal blood pressure. Aids in blood clotting. Supports healthy muscle function, including the heart muscle. Maintains colon health.
- Folic Acid – Regulates cell division and the transfer of inherited traits from one cell to another. Supports a healthy pregnancy outcome. Important for metabolism and cardiovascular health. Supports the health of gums, red blood cells, skin, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system.
- Iron – Acts as the oxygen-carrying component of the blood and therefore determines how much oxygen reaches body tissues, including the brain, heart, muscles and liver. Supports the immune system. Important for a healthy pregnancy.
- Niacin – Plays an important role in the release of energy from carbohydrates. Positively influences cholesterol levels. Aids in the breakdown of protein and fats and the synthesis of certain hormones. Supports the formation of red blood cells.
Where to go
Cheryle Bitz, a nurse practitioner for the St. Alexius Center for Integrated Medicine says that seeing a professional before getting started with dietary supplements is a good idea.
“I suggest that a person get a good source of information about natural alternatives from practitioners who have experience and also have a medical background in complementary care,” she says. “I do believe that integrating nutrients into daily living is a trend that will continue as more evidence and research comes out on nutrients and how they enhance the body’s ability to heal and prevent disease.”
The right blend for you depends on your gender, age and additional health concerns. Knowledge of vitamins and minerals, and taking an active role in your health with your provider will help you choose the right supplements for your personal needs.
To get a good understanding of all of the options available, visit the Great Plains Health Company website. There you are able to assess your health online through health profiles and wellness calculators.
“The website provides outstanding help to educate the customer,” says Becky Graner, registered nurse with the Center for Integrated Medicine. “Not only are there vitamins, supplements and minerals, there are other products that focus on integrative healthcare including diet, exercise and stress management.”
Great Plains Health Company has their own brand of quality-guaranteed vitamins and supplements. GPHC vitamins and supplements are manufactured in a pharmaceutically registered manufacturing facility, meeting stringent requirements of the state and federal FDA. GPHC brand vitamins and supplements include an expiration date and come in air-tight, amber-tinted glass bottles to ensure quality for the consumer.
To access the GPHC website, visit www.greatplainshealth.com. Great Plains Health Company is located in the Gateway Mall next to the Center for Integrated Medicine.
To speak to a customer service representative at Great Plains Health Company, call 530-4150.