We require a consistent supply of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for the duration of our lives in order to maintain our health. It is possible to meet all of our nutritional needs solely through food, despite this fact. Meal supplements, when taken as directed, can provide adequate amounts of essential vitamins even if healthy eating habits are not replaced. Supplements are taken on a regular basis by nearly three out of every five Americans in order to improve their health.
If you make informed purchasing decisions about food supplements, they can play an important role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The term “supplement” is well-known because, in general, more than 80 percent of people seek out a “supplement” if they want to strengthen their bodies or improve their appearance. Only a small number of people are aware that we have been misusing the term.
Definition of Meal Supplement.
The purpose of meal supplements, which are also known as dietary or nutritional supplements, to provide nutrients that may be insufficiently consumed by the consumer. The following are examples of food supplements that can be consumed in pill, tablet, capsule, drinks or shakes. These supplement contains, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals. Dietary supplements come in a number of different dosage forms and formulations. We need a certain amount of nutrients in order for our bodies to function properly, and higher amounts aren’t always preferable in this case. Certain nutrients may have negative effects and even be harmful in high doses if consumed in excess. A recommended daily dose and a warning not to exceed the per day dose are legally required to protect the health of consumers who purchase supplements.
Positive Effects of Meal Supplement
- Taking certain meal supplements can help you to improve your overall health and helps you to deal with some health problems, as well. There are many examples, such as:
- The Vitamin D and Calcium helps to keep the bones healthy and prevent the bone losing.
- There are some birth defects that Folic acid can help stop from happening.
- The omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in the oil of fish. It can help the people to cure their heart disease.
- It may be possible to slow down the rate at which people with age-related vision problems lose their vision by taking certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These are called AREDS (AMD).
Precautions and Side Effects of Meal Supplement
Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have a significant impact on the body. When starting a new medication, it’s especially important to be on the lookout for any potential side effects. It is more likely that you will experience side effects if you take meal supplements in high doses or substitute them for prescribed medications, or if you take multiple supplements. Your anaesthesia response may be affected by taking certain supplements prior to surgery. Further more, some medications may interact with supplements in a negative way. The following are a few examples:
- A blood thinner, may be less effective at preventing blood clots if vitamin K is taken with it.
- Research shows that St. John’s wort speeds up the breakdown of a wide range of medications, reducing their effectiveness including some birth control pills, antidepressants, heart medications, and transplant drugs.
- Certain types of cancer chemotherapy may be less effective if antioxidant supplements like vitamins C and E are taken.
- Some foods, such as breakfast cereals and beverages, may include supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
The result may be more than you expected, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Prescription drugs that are taken in excess can cost more money and increase the risk of side effects. To name a few possible side effects of an excess of vitamin A: headaches, liver damage, weakened bones and birth defects. The liver and other organs may be harmed by an excess of iron, which causes nausea and vomiting. Take care when taking meal supplements if you’re pregnant or nursing. Additionally, unless specifically instructed otherwise by a physician, do not give supplements to kids. The safety of many supplements has not been adequately tested in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children.
How should meal supplements be taken?
When it comes to meal supplements, it is age-dependent. Because as you age, your body’s nutritional requirements change.
- Apart from breast milk, we tend to supplement infants older than six months with finely ground rice (porridge) and hard-boiled vegetables such as pumpkin or ripe fruits such as papaya. Occasionally, ground banana is added to supplement the small body.
- Young children who have developed food preferences are frequently at risk of food insecurity, which can impair their growth in the long run. As a result, mothers should consider supplementing their children’s diets with boiled eggs, fish, meat, chicken, milk, boiled vegetables, and various fruits. You can add a little décor to the dish to satisfy your children’s appetites.
- Pregnant women require all the nutrients they can get to nourish both their bodies and the growing baby inside their womb. As a result, they should improve their intake of rice, milk, lean protein sources such as fish and meat, as well as a variety of vegetables.
- Seniors are at a point in their lives when they must contend with significant physical and mental changes. Additionally, the efficiency of various organs is significantly decreased. Thus, to maintain a healthy body, you require a variety of nutrients, including high-fiber vegetables such as morning glory, neem flowers, and cabbage, to aid in digestion and bowel movement.
- Elder individuals should drink milk to strengthen their bones and consume plenty of brown rice and high-quality proteins from fish to maintain muscle mass.
Final Thoughts
Special nutritional supplements are recommended for particular groups of people. Eat a well-balanced diet, pay attention to supplement and nutritious food labelling, and avoid taking multiple daily doses that exceed the RDA (RDAs). Nutritionists and doctors can help you make an informed decision about which meal supplement is best for you.