FOOD SUPPLEMENTS: ARE THEY REALLY HEALTHY – VIDEO
In the following video, our dietitian-nutritionist Paula Marrero, tells us what they are and will solve the main doubt about whether food supplements are really healthy.
When we see advertisements or publicity about food supplements, they are usually shown as an extra to our daily life, but… are food supplements healthy? Which are the best? Can they replace a meal? Do they really work?
What are food supplements?
Food supplements are products intended to complement the normal diet. They consist of concentrated sources of nutrients that have a nutritional or physiological effect and must be marketed in a dosed form. Food supplements can be used as a complement to a healthy diet, but they can never be a substitute for a healthy diet, therefore, used properly, there is no reason to think that food supplements are unhealthy.
Some examples that we can find in the market are multivitamins, plant extracts, melatonin, caffeine, etc.
Are protein powders a dietary supplement?
There are no specific criteria for classifying a product as a food supplement or as a regular food. However, additive limits change depending on the category. In some countries it is considered that if the product is not supplied in small unit quantities, it should not be considered a food supplement. Companies selling food supplements must be aware of the category to which their product belongs in order to comply with specific limitations and avoid rejection by the authorities.
How important are food supplements in our diet?
There are specific cases in which food supplements are mandatory or really important. It happens with vitamin B12 in vegetarian/vegan diets, folic acid in diets for pregnant women or in athletes with a high training load.
Patients with cancer or other diseases often associated with malnutrition find it very difficult to meet their nutritional requirements, as loss of appetite is common due to medical treatment, therefore, food supplements may be an option.
Top five food supplements
First of all, creatine is a supplement that increases physical performance in high-intensity intervallic training. It is a safe supplement proven in many scientific tests.
Omega 3 is a fatty acid involved in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and the brain. It is found in foods mainly in oily fish, flax and chia seeds and nuts.
Vitamin DVitamin D intake through the diet is very low, we mainly get it through sun exposure, which is why in winter it is more complicated to take the recommended levels of vitamin D, which is why it is one of the most recommended food supplements in winter.
Ashwagandha is a relatively new food supplement, but it is giving very good results. It is recommended for people with sleep disorders or in times of high stress.
B-alanine, like creatine, is a supplement recommended for people who practice sports involving short and intense stimuli. As a curious fact, its consumption can cause paresthesia, that is, tingling sensation in the hands, this is not harmful, but it is advisable to take it into account.
If you have any questions about the sanitary registration process, labeling certification, product labeling, food safety consulting or APPCC, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you!
Here is the video where you can find all this detailed information about food supplements.