Do We Really Need Supplements?

DO WE REALLY NEED SUPPLEMENTS?

While you are "going down a different road", because you have found The Venus Factor and you are really excited that it is going to FINALLY make changes to your health and well-being you are probably looking at other options that might support and / or enhance your journey; so I have been able to find some great advice / information about health related matters that will increase your knowledge and support what you are achieving with VF.

Walk down the health food aisle of any supermarket and you'll notice there's a ridiculous amount of supplements on the market.

But do we need them?

For most people who follow a well balanced diet the answer is probably no.

Food is the best source of nutrients, and if you have a varied diet it's likely you're getting everything you need.

Unfortunately there's a lot of marketing that goes into these products, and it can be easy to be convinced that you need to pay money for something your body is already getting. So when are supplements necessary?

Well, supplements are advisable when the required amount of a particular nutrient isn't being obtained through food.

Some examples of this includes vitamin B12 supplements for vegans, as vitamin B12 is only available through the consumption of animal products or fortified foods.

Iron supplements may also be required for vegetarians and vegans, but only if there is a deficiency. This can be identified through a blood test.

Pregnant women, or those trying to conceive, are advised to take folate supplements as most women don't get the required amounts through food.

This is something that should be discussed with your GP. (Family doctor).

Calcium and vitamin D may also be required for those who do not obtain enough from their diet, or for thoise who have osteoporosis.

Again, this should be discussed with your GP before you start on a supplement.

The other issue with supplements is that because they don't require a prescription, and are often seen as being "natural", we're not as careful with them as we should be.

It's important to remember that supplements do have their risks and potential side effects. some supplements interact with prescribed medications, and there's also the potential for toxicity issues if they are over consumed.

For these reasons you should always speak to your doctor before starting on any supplements, and remember the best supplement is a well balanced diet.

This post is from :  westernweekender.com.au

Publish date : March 3, 2016
The author is Kate Reid. She can be contacted on Twitter :  @kate_reid6

Kate is a journalist and qualified Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) Degree from the University of Wollongong.

 Kate does not have any affiliation with this website and does not necessarily agree with the claims of the Venus Factor program. I am just a fan of health and dietary issues she chooses to write about and think they are worth sharing.

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