Because I am always interested in improving my health, I am intrigued by the concept that taking nutritional supplements can help me accomplish this goal. At the same time, however, I am aware that taking these types of dietary aids can come with drawbacks. Here are three drawbacks of nutritional supplements that you should know about:
1. Nutrients Are Absorbed Best In Their Original Form.
Although supplements can offer us great nutritional support, dietitians and nutritionists often state that they cannot provide us with the optimal health benefits we can achieve through eating foods in their natural forms. This is the case because supplements are synthetic and the body is not as capable of assimiliating nutrients in this form. Thus while nutritional supplements can be good for you, eating foods in their whole, natural form is probably best.
2. Supplements Don’t Offer You Fiber.
As many health experts know, most Americans don’t get the 20 to 25 grams of fiber that we are advised to consume on a daily basis. And if you’re taking dietary supplements to attain nutrients that you could acquire through eating fresh fruits and vegetables, you can decrease your opportunity to obtain the fiber your body needs. Not attaining this fiber can result in a plethora of health challenges, including an increased risk for constipation that can eventually precipitate your risk for colon cancer.
3. Supplements Can Teach Poor Nutritional Habits.
Although supplement use can be a great way to attain the nutrients your body needs to function properly, people often use them as a replacement for great nutritional habits such as eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats derived from nuts and seeds. Thus while taking nutritional supplements can be good for you, they should not be used as a replacement for eating nutritionally dense foods that often offer even more health benefits than dietary aids. In discussing some of the great nutritional benefits of whole foods, the Mayo Clinic notes that they “contain naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals, which may help protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.”
Conclusion
If you are interested in taking nutritional supplements to improve your health, doing so can be a great idea. However, consuming dietary aids can involve health risks that you should be aware of. In gaining more knowledge about the health risks associated with dietary aids, you can take a great step towards optimizing your wellness and thereby leading a more productive, positive life. Good luck!
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