Frequently asked questions
Are Health Supplements For You?
The past two decades has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people wanting to take responsibility for their own health, and greater interest in the role played by diet in maintaining good health. It has also seen an increase in the number of health supplements available in the UK as well as a growing awareness of the benefits of health supplements for many people.
However the increase in products now widely available, as well as the publication of information on health supplements that is often conflicting, has inevitably resulted in some confusion amongst consumers.
The Health Supplements Information Service was set up in 1999 to provide up-to-date information about vitamins, minerals and food supplements and this information has been produced to answer some of the most common questions asked about these products.
It is clear that many of us can benefit from supplements at certain times in our lives and I hope that after reading this booklet you will be able to make more confident decisions about your own nutritional requirements.
Question |
Does everybody get enough nutrients from their diet? Nutrients can be lost from food as a result of poor methods of storage, preparation and cooking. In addition, busy lifestyles mean that people are more inclined to skip meals and grab individual snacks without giving thought to putting together properly balanced meals which would provide the right mix of nutrients. To obtain optimal nutrient intake, people have to decide whether to change their diet or lifestyle or whether to take food supplements. In all cases, they should obtain up to date information on the recommended amounts required for a specific health benefit. Finally, there are also some nutrients which may be difficult to obtain in adequate quantities from food, and therefore can be taken as a supplement. For example, cod liver oil as a source of vitamin D and essential fatty acids, or folic acid for development of a healthy neural tube during pre-conception and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. *As defined in DoH Sensible Drinking If I take supplements, do I really need to bother about what I eat? Are supplements only for body builders and athletes? Are most supplements taken by young people or pregnant women? How long do you need to take supplements for? Are they a quick fix? Do you have to take supplements with food? Is it OK to take various different supplements at the same time? Can you easily overdose on supplements? How much of a supplement is safe to take? Can some supplements stop medicines from working? Can too much vitamin C be harmful? Does Vitamin B6 cause nerve damage? Are dietary supplements unnecessary and a waste of money? Is the “supplements” industry is worth a huge amount of money? |
