Why Do We Need To Take Food Supplements?

You know that feeling when something just isn't enough? Human as we are, contentment seldom happens. We always look for something better even if we already have the best. We long for a better job, better look, even a better, just better everything. In other words, it became the whole of us- the longing for something better; it became more of a NEED and not just a want.

For a better health, even healthy people look for drugs that can maintain their health. Supplements are commonly used. Dietary Supplements are substances taken to remedy the deficiencies in a person’s diet(Oxford Dictionary). It may include vitamins, fiber, fatty acids, etc. But why? Why take these?

It is common knowledge that we can get nutrients from the food available around us. But, with the changes being placed on the environment, nutrients obtained are decreasing. With the current commercial agricultural techniques, our soil become deficient in important nutrients thus the food grown in that soil share the same mineral deficiency.

When we say current commercial agricultural techniques, it does not only apply to our soil but also to the crops like fruits and vegetables. Without thinking of the nutritious that can be affected, they genetically breed crops to make it more appealing and produce more yields.

Unknowingly, we consumers buy those crops thinking that we can get enough nutrients from those as we all know those are healthy food. Aside from agriculture, food processing is also considered why we should take supplements. Imported goods are appreciated nowadays already and for those goods to preserve its quality as they were travelled long distances, preservatives are added which depletes its vitamins such as B complex and Vitamin C.

Not only on what they’ve done to our food, which affects the amount of nutrients we absorb in our body but also on our improving technology and eating habits. Food should be chewed well to promote good digestion but because of the fast pace world today, eating on the run and insufficient chewing is common which leads to poor digestion thus the inability to absorb the nutrients from the food we eat. As with the improving technology, environmental pollution and stress is its effects which results to an increase need of our body for nutrients such as antioxidants to detoxify or eliminate those harmful substances.

The discovery of pharmaceutical drugs is also part of our improving technology and has been commonly used by us. Even a simple headache, we immediately use drugs as a remedy. But when we scan through its side effects, certain nutrients are compromised so the use of supplements is needed side by side with the drug use.

Genetic changes of our body such as pregnancy, hormonal changes and aging also affect our need for those nutritional supplements. For example, folic acid needs tend to be higher during pregnancy, menopausal woman may be vulnerable for calcium deficiencies and genetic illness, which results to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, demands higher needs of some nutrients.

At the same time, supplements have been proven to prevent or aid in the treatment of health conditions like high cholesterol, arthritis, birth defects and cancer. With regards to this, we should also need to consult a qualified health professional to prevent interactions, side effects or complications.

Our health should be considered a priority. What are we to do with those riches or with those grand positions in a company or those high end brands of cars if the problem is our health? It’s all we have in order to live life fully. Stay young and healthy. Choose to live a good life.