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It’s easy to be a pill popper. Many of us can just chunk down the capsules or tablets with a gulp of liquid to follow and swallow. Quick and effective, without a second’s thought. We have to think before we even have the little packs of compressed substances in our mouths. While others can’t stand the thought of swallowing tablets or capsules, there’s a fear the thing may get stuck in the throat! It’s an irrational fear as pills and capsules aren’t lumps of mass. However, at least you may think twice before you swallow anything.  Be informed when purchasing supplements. Select vitamin C supplements with bioflavonoids for the fuller vitamin C effect. Bioflavonoids are specific ‘brick layers’ of our smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. Some vitamin C deficiency symptoms stem from weak, inadequate capillary structure. Supplements can be harmful! Not necessarily due to the mineral or vitamin per se, unless taken at unregulated excessive dosages, but due to other ingredients in the capsule, capsule filling or tablet. The amount of the mineral or vitamin available in supplements to the general public is safe within the manufacturers’ guidelines. Once again the usefulness of a supplemented mineral can be ‘derailed’. Let’s say iron is taken in ferrous sulphate form. Such a form can lead to stomach bleeding in high amounts. A patient with anaemia (possibly from low iron) needs to curb any unnecessary blood loss such as stomach bleeding. The best forms of minerals are usually organic forms such as calcium/iron/magnesium citrate or acetate. It behoves one not to foolishly believe any supplement is great for everyone. Know why you are supplementing! If you have hypertension, desist from high vitamin E doses, unless under suitable relevant supervision. In addition, a totally harmless antioxidant, such as beta-carotene can become ambiguous when manufactured synthetically for supplementation. Beta-carotene is recognised as protective against some cancers and can be changed by the body into vitamin A. Beta-carotene is found in high amounts in foods such as carrots, cantaloupe melon, mango, pumpkin and cabbage. It helps to supplement if your diet is lacking those beneficial foods for some reason. If the manufacturer is supplying a synthetic type (man-made) there is possibly a wise caution for smokers to rather avoid that specific supplement. Studies in the past found people who smoked cigarettes increased their risk of cancer after taking synthetic beta-carotene supplements. We can be lazy and say swallowing a pill is simpler than chewing a vegetable! Supplements generally are completely safe or else we wouldn’t be witnessing the mass upsurge in the supplement market. Supplements have therapeutic roles (used for therapy). There are a wide range of supplements in health shops and pharmacies. Herbal preparations are generally therapeutic and should be within guidelines. Supplements of specific amino acids (the bricks of our body’s protein brick home) have been utilised well within therapeutic settings. For enhanced athletic performance, supplements can give that extra boost. Sometimes extra costs are for packaging, but if the packaging doesn’t alter the quality of the supplement then the same supplement at a lower price is just as helpful. Be vigilant about what you supplement and seek advice to save misfortune in costs or health. If done properly, quality supplementation can be a highly effective key to unlocking the door to improved health and well-being. Anastacia Sampson D.N. Med |