Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 21st June 2021

In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, there are recommendations to take regular supplements as they are beneficial health-wise. Many doctors and health specialists recommend that one should take vitamins and supplements every day. They agree that diet supplements improve health, help to prevent and manage some health conditions. Nutrition supplements contain dietary ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, botanical acids, and herbs. Supplements improve health by preventing chronic diseases, filling the nutrition gap, providing essential nutrients needed in sports, and supplements nutrient deficiency in the body's malabsorption.

Fills the Nutrition Gap 

Many people do not consume a well-balanced diet as recommended by health providers. The pressure of busy modern life has led to unhealthy lifestyles. People have little time to pay attention to what they eat, as they eat on the go. In most cases, junk foods are the preferred choice. There are also people who have a poor appetite and eat insufficient meals. This causes nutrient deficiency in the body. Some methods used to prepare the food destroy the nutrients in it. For example, overcooked greens do not benefit the body nutrition-wise. Unhealthy farming methods have decreased the nutrient quality of the food produced. Because of these issues, there is a gap that leaves the body deficient in adequate and necessary nutrients. These are deficiencies of minerals like potassium, iron, calcium, and various vitamins. Supplements bridge this nutritional gap, therefore, improving the overall health of a person.

Helps to Manage Chronic Health Conditions 

Medical treatment is necessary and the first treatment for chronic illnesses. Diet supplements then come in to provide additional therapy that helps to manage the condition. A balanced diet is essential to a patient. Supplements help manage chronic health conditions such as heart disease, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and hypertension. If a person prone to anemia regularly takes iron supplements and Vitamins B12 - which help with blood building - they will manage their blood condition. Douglas Laboratories Vitamin D supplements can significantly help a person with low bone density. People with hypertension can benefit from potassium, magnesium, and folic acid supplements, even as they take their prescription drugs. A person with diabetes can manage his sugar levels with supplements like cinnamon, aloe vera, chromium, magnesium, and Gymnema. 

Enhances Performance in Sports 

The sports supplements industry is said to be a multi-million dollar one, as it makes a lot of money from the sales of sports supplements. Athletes take supplements to add to the nutritional value they get from well-balanced diets. The supplements help them to meet their nutritional need as they are very active physically. A sportsperson uses a lot of energy in sports, therefore, he must take sufficient nutrients to enhance his performance and also meet his fitness targets. Athletes have very high nutritional needs, and they would have to consume a lot of food to have an adequate intake of nutrients, which logically may not be possible. For example, for an athlete to meet the nutritional need of Vitamin D, they would have to eat lots of mushrooms.

Improves Nutrients Absorption in the Body 

Some health situations affect the body and cause the malabsorption of nutrients from the food taken. Malabsorption is the inability of the body to process food or absorb the nutrients from it. Food malabsorption can be caused by food allergies, damage to the intestines, surgery, a soft gut lining, pancreatic problems, and autoimmune diseases. The frequent or prolonged use of antibiotics can alter the digestive system, which can also cause nutrient malabsorption. Stress also affects the body’s nutrients’ absorption as it slows down the digestive system. As people get old, their digestive system slows down and cannot sufficiently break down the food consumed. If taken with meals, some medications can alter nutrient composition in the food, therefore, making it unbeneficial to the body. All these situations can cause deficiency if left unattended. Dietary supplements help to address these problems as they provide the necessary nutrients to the body. 

From the above list, though not exhaustive, we can conclude supplements help improve the overall health of a person. They add to the nutritional diet of those that need extra nutrients, like athletes. They also help to manage chronic conditions, which improves the health of the patient. Last but not least, supplements bridge the gap of nutritional needs caused by poor eating habits, cooking, diets, and farming. In cases of malabsorption, dietary supplements prevent deficiency in the body. Supplements are taken as pills, powder, liquid, or injections (as preferred by sportsmen). Whatever form of supplement one chooses to take, the purpose is to benefit and improve health.

Fills the nutrition gap, manage chronic health conditions, enhances performance in sports, and improves nutrients absorption in the body are some of the reasons why supplements can improve health.