Supplements

Supplements are dietary items that enhance nutrition when they are added to a meal plan. They are beneficial to consume to help with nutrient deficiency, meal substitution, and improve physical performance. They come in the form of capsules, tablets, liquids, and powders that offer various health benefits. They are a great resource to utilize for people experiencing a deficiency in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fats (micronutrients & macronutrients).

A deficiency in micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) is more common amongst the general population. A nutrient deficiency can lead to multiple health complications like hormonal imbalances, fatigue, hair loss, lack of concentration, etc. This deficiency can have a negative impact on daily living activities, family, and friends.

If you feel you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for a routine physical to uncover underlying problems.

A beneficial supplement to ensure consumption of daily intake of vitamins and minerals is met is daily multivitamins (MVN). This will ensure an individual is receiving an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals in their diet to avoid a nutrient deficiency and the negative side effects it causes.

Supplements can also be a positive resource for meal substitutions to help decrease caloric intake quantities. This is a beneficial alternative for an individual pursuing weight loss. They will receive important and essential nutrients without consuming an excess amount of calories. However, a meal substitution supplement does NOT outweigh proper nutrition and an active, healthy lifestyle. They aid in reducing caloric intake but do not replace a well-balanced meal and a healthy diet. They can help an individual achieve their fitness goals with lower caloric consumption (calories being consumed) but should never be fully relied on to replace all meals. Food sources contain more nutrients than supplements can provide.

Supplements also offer a competitive advantage for athletes or fitness enthusiasts when consumed before and after competition and workouts. They can be consumed before an exercise to provide the athlete with energy and focus and after a workout to help with a faster and more full recovery. This will lead to better results in training and game situations.

Supplements are an important resource for an individual focusing on achieving an active and healthy lifestyle, along with anyone wanting to see improvements in their physicality and physical composition (muscle, fat, and bone density measurement of the human body). This is especially true when supplements are combined with a well-balanced diet.

Sources

• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). ISSA Curriculum Materials

To learn more about nutrition please visit: https://dietfithealth.com/pages/nutrition-fundamentals