dietary supplements: Today’s busy lifestyle makes using supplements an essential priority for most people. While many people begin taking supplements over the age of 35 to restore strength, it is important to realize that the amount and type of supplements correlate strongly with their eating patterns and nutritional status.
In an exclusive interview with Zee English, Ms. Monique Jhingan, Functional Nutritionist and Lifestyle Consultant and Author shares why we should take supplements as a part of our daily diet and lifestyle.
In a March 2022 survey published in Statista, 69% of Indian respondents indicated using dietary supplements, with the dietary supplement industry in India set to reach INR 436.5 billion in 2022. No wonder, really, given that health issues are rampant.
Compared to our ancestors, our demands for nutrients have increased due to modern lifestyle and environmental factors such as stress, health issues, toxic exposure, medications, frequent travel, compromised digestion and microbiome disturbances.
Why should you take a dietary supplement?
The issue is one of demand and supply – our bodies demand nutrients in order to function. In addition to macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), about 40 different micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and other compounds) are essential for normal metabolic function. These nutrients are supplied by our diet.
Monique Jhingan says, “On the supply side, nutrient intake has decreased due to poorer diets, less soil, food transport and storage methods, and modern farming methods.”
In other words, as long as you live in a pollution-free environment, with rich soil and clean spring water, you eat a varied, nutritious and nutrient-dense, organic, seasonal and local diet, get plenty of exercise and sunlight , live in tension. -free life, and you’re in perfect health with strong digestion and a well-balanced microbiome, you’re likely dealing with a nutritional gap that needs to be filled.
It’s also important to note that nutritional deficiencies can go unnoticed for long periods of time, even though they have serious long-term health effects. US-based scientist Dr. Bruce Ames presented a theory in 2015 called the triage theory, which describes how nutrients are used by the body to meet needs that are important for short-term survival and reproduction.
“What’s left over is used to support long-term health functions and longevity. When there is a deficiency of certain nutrients, even a slight one, your long-term health and longevity can suffer,” Monique on Highlighted.
What should be kept in mind while taking supplements
The right supplements can help fill in the nutritional gaps. But before running off to buy a bunch of supplements, there are a few things to consider:
We are genetically adapted to obtain nutrition from food. There is a difference between the synergistic effects of nutrients in whole foods and supplements that contain individual ingredients. Whole Foods is the best. That’s why your first goal should be to eat the most nutrient-dense foods possible.
From a demand perspective, you can address underlying imbalances and other factors that may be causing a higher need for certain nutrients. For example, reduce stress, work on restoring digestive and microbiome health, and reduce exposure to toxins where possible.
Where possible, identify your specific nutrient deficiencies through testing. A standard blood test may reveal some useful information on key nutrients such as vitamin D, magnesium, B12, or folate or underlying imbalances that require targeted nutritional support. Functional tests such as the organic acid test can help identify deficiencies in certain key nutrients and your bio-individual need for support in various areas, such as immune function, gut health, or liver detoxification support. If in doubt, work with an experienced and qualified nutrition practitioner who can help you identify your unique need for supplementation based on your genetics, symptoms, and testing.
Quality matters. Look for a reputable brand that uses high-quality, food-based or bioavailable active ingredients in the right proportions and no unnecessary fillers, artificial flavors or potential allergens. Unfortunately, many supplements contain cheap, synthetic ingredients that are difficult for the body to absorb, such as folate versus synthetic folic acid. Or they contain too many nutrients that can be harmful in excess, such as iron, iodine or calcium. On the other hand, they may contain very few nutrients that we don’t get enough of in our diets, such as vitamin D, magnesium, or vitamin K2.
Monique concludes by saying, “In short, to support your long-term health and longevity, prioritize a nutrient-dense diet, address all factors that are affecting your nutrient needs, base your Use a good quality multivitamin supplement to cover your needs and, if possible, work with a qualified nutrition practitioner to identify your specific needs for targeted supplementation.”
Thus, many variables, including age, amount of physical activity, pre-existing nutritional status, pre-existing diseases, etc., affect dietary supplements and their use. Most importantly, nutritional supplements should be used as an option in addition to a healthy diet, as the term indicates.