We are familiar with the term Balanced Diet and what it means and how much proportion our body needs to meet its daily requirements. But how many of us truly intake a diet that is balanced with all the carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins? That is where nutraceuticals play a vital role in providing all the essential nutrients.
Benefits of nutraceuticals:
- Improving immunity
- Health management
- Nutritional support
- Convenient method
In todays fast paced lifestyle, it acts as a boon due to its easy administration. During the COVID period, we have witnessed how Zinc tablets have enhanced our body’s immunity to fight against the virus. It is also recommended for vegans to have their Vitamin B12 doses. For all these reasons, we are seeing a silent shift toward the intake of supplements rather than taking them directly from various food sources, and it is slowly becoming a habit.
This raises a question: If these have such benefits then why are professionals not in favour of taking supplements daily?
Adverse effects of nutraceuticals:
- Overconsumption resulting in toxicity
- Risk of drug-supplement interaction
- Regulation issue
As deficiency of nutrients is harmful so is its overconsumption. These must be taken after the recommendation of the doctor because there are some food supplements that should be avoided with certain medications. Different brands of the same nutrient supplement contain different compositions and doses that could have a severe effect on your health. Due to lack of knowledge and proper regulation, many fake products are marketed in the name of natural food supplements. As these are not regulated like medicines.
Many times it is assumed that if something is healthy, more of it is better, but that is not always true. Evidence suggests that many nutrients are better absorbed from food than from supplements. It is always better to include food rather than depending on tablets and capsules.
“EAT REAL, EAT HEALTHY”
| Nutrients | Food source |
|---|---|
| Vit A | Carrots, Apricots |
| Vit C | Amla, Citrus fruits |
| Vit D | Mushrooms, Egg yolks |
| Vit E | Sunflower seeds, Almonds |
| Zinc | Chickpeas, Cashews |
| Calcium | Fox nuts, Sesame seeds |
| Magnesium | Dark chocolate, Bananas |
| Iron | Spinach, Dates |
| Potassium | Avocados, Bananas |
| Omega-3 | Walnuts, Flax seeds |
What is your opinion? Should we have a section saved for nutraceuticals on our plate or not?
MBH/PS