Do We Really Need Dietary Supplements?

If we were to believe all that we read in the press, we could be forgiven for accepting that buying supplements is tantamount to throwing our money down the drain. Supplements are held in such little regard by the medical profession that many people truly believe that we have no need for them. Many consumers believe that if they already have a balanced healthy diet then why would they need a supplement?

In an ideal world this would of course be true, but unfortunately very few people really understand what a well balanced healthy meal is – let alone have one on a regular basis. In addition the quality of our food is far from perfect and is lacking in many of the essential nutrients needed for our bodies to be working optimally. It is also a fact that due to our poor digestive systems, many of us are not able to absorb the nutrients from our food.

There have been many clinical trials over the years that have attempted to discredit the use of supplementation, but on closer inspection it has been found that the trials have been set up for that express purpose rather than to ascertain the truth. On the other hand there have also been other trials that have proved that if we take dietary supplements containing the optimal levels of nutrients great improvements have been shown to have taken place

There is no doubt that many people are suffering from vitamin deficiencies that may or may not manifest in particular symptoms. Simple tests can now be taken to ascertain the levels of nutrients in an individual and careful supplementation can make a huge difference to their wellbeing. However these cases are not valid as clinical trials and will do little to persuade the skeptics that dietary supplements have any value.

At the end of the day it is up to each individual to make up their own minds. If taking particular dietary supplements helps you to feel better or gives you more energy, then it is likely that you will continue to take it.

There are more and more people today who would rather be taking dietary supplements than taking a prescription drug. However, our approach to health should be about more than taking a pill to make us better whether that pill is a supplement or a drug. Perhaps first and foremost we should be looking to change our dietary and lifestyle habits and view the need to take dietary supplements as a way of supporting that change rather than seeing it is a miracle cure.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews