unit 3: role of dietary supplements

• Dietary Supplements


  Nutrient substances that are ingested in addition to a normal daily diet

  
• Most people know that we need a balanced diet to provide the necessary nutrients for good health
• It seems to be a common belief that a balanced diet is not enough
• Dietary supplements is a multi-million dollar industry
• Reasons for increased consumption of supplements

  • Busy lives often leave less time for carefully prepared diets and meals
  • Frequent intake of processed food due to greater disposable income of the average family time for food preparation
  • Increase in food preparation technology has reduced the use of traditional food preparation
• Supplements


  Can contribute to improved muscular strength, endurance and overall physical performance
• Athletes commonly take supplements to improve their performance
• Supplements can prevent a variety of diseases and health conditions

  
• Folate


  A pregnant woman needs to increase her intake, particularly early in pregnancy when nausea and tiredness can result in a reduced food intake
• Vitamin D


  Helps in the absorption of calcium from the gut, keeping bones strong and preventing osteoporosis
• If a mother has low vitamin D levels throughout her pregnancy, her baby will also be born with low stores of this vitamin and could be at risk of deficiency
• When a breastfeeding mother has high enough doses of a vitamin D dietary supplement, her breast milk will have significantly higher levels
• Supplements could prevent certain nutrient deficiencies leading to diseases such as pellagra, scurvy and beriberi in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

  
• Dietary supplements can give support to vulnerable groups to maintain good health, such as people taking medications
• Excessive doses of fat-soluble vitamins can build up to toxic levels, while even water-soluble vitamins can cause problems if taken in excess and then stopped suddenly
• The ingestion of supplements should be regulated by a GP or certified Nutritionist, since generally Australia's food supply is wide and varied which should provide all the vitamins required by the body

  
• Roles of supplements


  • Protein/amino acid: To build muscle tissue, or repair and maintain muscle tissues; Release of energy during athletic performance
  • Vitamins & Minerals: Energy Synthesis; Replacement in vulnerable circumstances; Combat deficiency diseases; Bone, nail, hair and teeth strengthening
  • Pre/Probiotics: To promote gut flora health-promoting a healthy digestive tract and a healthy immune system
  • Fibre: Alleviate symptoms from constipation; Preventative strategy to protect the digestive system
  • Fats/Oils: Omega-3 Fatty acids from fish oil can lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels; Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids help with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis; Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to combating symptoms of asthma, cancer, depression, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Iron supplementation may be needed in people who are unable to consume enough iron in their diet to meet increased needs, such as teenage girls, women, vegetarians and athletes
• Mineral supplements can be dangerous, because the body stores most minerals and requires only very small amounts for day-to-day processes