Hello everyone! This week I want to tell you about nutritional supplements. First of all, nutritional supplements are products that contain one or more vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, amino acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates and are recommended/used to improve and improve the diet. These products can be in the form of powder, capsule, solution or tablet. Supplementary foods, which can be grouped as vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements, macronutrients and other nutritional supports, are used to improve the diet and complete deficiencies that cannot be taken with normal nutrition.
Irregular and unhealthy nutrition, some nutritional preferences (vegetarianism). Reasons such as low-calorie diets, malabsorption, some metabolic diseases, old age, alcoholism, lactation, obesity surgeries, and drugs that prevent nutrient absorption may lead to nutrient deficiencies. The most common nutritional deficiencies in society are; These are iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine and folate deficiencies.
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are likely to be seen in women of childbearing age, pregnant and lactating women, infants, children and the elderly. Individuals in this group are in the high risk group.
Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are another nutrient deficiency that is commonly seen in our country. Vitamin D deficiencies are very common, especially in women, due to reasons such as closed clothing style, clothes worn in a way that does not benefit from sunlight sufficiently, and not being able to benefit from the sun in winter. To benefit from sunlight, which is the best source of vitamin D, and to prevent its deficiency, it will be sufficient to expose your arms to the sun from wrists to elbows 15-20 times a day, without sunscreen.
Folic acid levels in the body are very important, especially in women of childbearing age. The baby needs enough folic acid in the first 3-4 weeks of life to complete the development of the nervous system. Since this need will be met by the mother, it is very important for the baby's nervous system that the mother's folic acid levels are sufficient. In planned pregnancies, folic acid levels should be checked and if there is a deficiency, supplements should be started before pregnancy.
In recent years, folic acid levels should be checked. Frequently used herbal supplements may not always be reliable. If you want to use herbal supplements in addition to your diet, be sure to consult your doctor or dietician and make sure of the content of the product. Some herbal supplements preferred without knowing their interaction with the foods you consume may lead to bad results.
Macronutrient supplements such as protein powders and omega 3 can also be used when necessary. For example, we can say that an individual who does not consume any fish should use omega 3. However, it will not be correct or beneficial for an individual who consumes sufficient protein sources to use extra protein powder.
Keep in mind that all supplements used unconsciously may lead to negative consequences for health. Reminding that no nutritional supplement can replace a healthy diet, I can say that it can be used with doctor's approval when necessary. Do not use nutritional supplements in all risk groups, especially during pregnancy and lactation, without consulting your doctor. Remember that nutritional supplements may interact with medications and some nutrients. Many herbal supplements may interact with drugs used especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and may undesirably change the effects of the drugs.
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