With age come health issues, we are all aware
of that. But, what is the primary cause of most health problems? The answer is
a weak immune system. An immune system drop is often caused by a lack of some
vitamins or minerals in your body. Nowadays, this problem is easily fixable
with nutritional (dietary) supplements.
Nutritional supplements help you improve your health by inserting extra
vitamins, proteins, calcium, etc., in your organism. Nowadays, you can find a
supplement for every need. You could take a multivitamin for your immune
system, iron for blood, etc.
But, are they actually reliable when it comes to increasing health and
longevity? Some people claim the
supplements are good, some claim they would never touch them, but what is the
truth? Is there more to them than it seems or are they harmless (usually tasty)
helpers?
Dietary Supplements Basics
Supplements, as we earlier explained, add one dose of a nutrient you are
lacking. Some contain only one nutrient (vitamin D, iron, magnesium, etc.),
while on the other hand, some contain a dosed mix of nutrients (multivitamin,
vitamin complex, etc.). Many people claim that dietary supplements can help
improve your health or even prolong your life for quite some period.
Are Supplements Necessary for Seniors?
Most of the companies which produce and sell supplements target senior
citizens. Supplements do have their upsides such as improving digestion. A
calcium supplement enhances the structure of your bones, and magnesium helps
maintain muscle health (remember that the most important muscle in your body is
the heart). Overall, If you were to ask
professionals, most doctors recommend a multivitamin.
Are Nutritional Supplements Effective?
Like most pharmaceuticals, if you take too much, supplements might end up
causing side effects, but in the recommended doses, supplements can be quite
helpful. So, even though their purpose is not to solve the problem, but to
reduce it, they can actually come in handy.
Are Supplements Safe to Use?
They are safe to use if you use them carefully, but they can be quite harmful
otherwise. Main safety issue when using nutritional supplements is that most
nutritional supplements don’t undergo the FDA testing, says AgingCare.com. [1]
The website stated that even though prescription drugs need to undergo serious
testing before being released, pharmaceutical companies responsible for
producing and selling the supplements don’t actually test them before release.
Furthermore, some dietary supplements can seriously interfere with your
prescription medication. According to Consumer Health Daily, [2]
15% of seniors take a mix of supplements
and meds that can be dangerous, if not even fatal. That’s why it’s best to
consult your doctor before you start taking any supplements.
Is it Better to Take the Supplements or Not?
As we mentioned it earlier, nutritional supplements can be beneficial if you
have proper usage guidance. If there is a need, you shouldn’t hesitate to
consult your doctor about it. After all, only he or she can give you the right
instructions. Still, the decision is entirely up to you, so be careful and
don’t forget that the improper use can cause serious health problems.
[1] https://www.agingcare.com/articles/dietary-supplements-for-seniors-more-is-not-always-better-133854.htm
[2] https://consumer.healthday.com/general-health-information-16/prescription-drug-news-551/1-in-6-seniors-takes-dangerous-combos-of-meds-supplements-study-709168.html
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