Biologically active additives in pharmacies can be found a lot. It is difficult for an uninitiated consumer to figure out which of them are beneficial and which are “dummies”. It is important to understand who needs them and when, as well as how they work.
What is dietary supplements
Biologically active additives are substances designed to make up for the lack of certain trace elements in the body. Most often they can be found in pharmacies. But you must understand that these are not medicines, and they are not capable of treating diseases. In fact, it is a food additive, a specific food product that:
- passed the safety examination and is guaranteed not to cause damage to health;
- has not passed clinical trials;
- it has no confirmed pharmacological properties.
In the right proportions, dietary supplements help to optimize metabolism, stabilize the digestive microflora, and strengthen the immune system. However, doctors believe that it is worth resorting to them when it is not possible to obtain the necessary substances from natural sources.
What is included in dietary supplements
There are a lot of products on the market that are only called biologically active additives, but in fact do not contain anything. We will consider those components that really stimulate the work of various body systems. Although they are not medicines, pharmacologists and biochemists are involved in their development. A biologically active supplement may include:
- plant extracts;
- beneficial bacteria;
- fatty acids;
- squirrels;
- amino acids;
- peptides;
- vitamins;
- minerals.
Manufacturers not only select the optimal concentration of these substances required to fill the deficit. They also ensure their compatibility. Thus, a quality supplement cannot simultaneously include calcium and iron, zinc and folic acid, vitamins B1 and B12. Conversely, calcium is supplied with vitamin D, iron – with vitamin C, magnesium – with vitamin B6.
Who are they useful to
Ideally, all the substances necessary for health should be obtained from food: vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, dairy products. To do this, the diet should be varied and balanced. But less than 1% of the adult population can boast of this. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to say that dietary supplements are needed by everyone except infants.
The difference is that all people have this need expressed in different ways:
| Problem | What the body lacks |
|---|---|
| Brittle bones, brittle nails and hair loss. | Calcium, vitamin D |
| Malfunctions of the thyroid gland. | Iodine |
| Vascular pathologies. | Copper |
| Neurological diseases, muscle weakness. | Magnesium, B vitamins |
| Eye pathology (decreased vision, clouding and thickening of the cornea, drying of the conjunctiva). | Vitamins of group A, zinc |
| Rapid fatigue, tingling and numbness of the limbs, memory impairment. | B vitamins |
Certain groups of the population need additional support with specific nutrients. Vegetarians need vitamin B12, residents of regions where there is little sun, and pregnant women need vitamin D, athletes need proteins and amino acids.
Do I need to take food supplements
Each person has their own need for vitamins and minerals, and with various pathologies it can increase several times. More active substances are required if he is in a state of illness for a long time. Dietary supplements are not medicines, but their components are enzymes and activators of natural biochemical reactions in cells. For example, folic acid is involved in cell division and DNA strand doubling, so it is necessary for all tissues, especially the bone marrow. And vitamin D is involved in the absorption of calcium in the intestinal wall.
People who lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a variety of foods, consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables and do not neglect animal products, dietary supplements may not be required. But in the autumn-spring period, the need for vitamins increases regardless of lifestyle.
Dietary supplements can help with increased mental and physical exertion, in prolonged stressful conditions. But in this case, it is necessary to choose the right drugs in terms of composition. These can be medicinal plants with a sedative effect, herbal teas. Vitamins from the antioxidant group can support the body.
Sometimes doctors prescribe dietary supplements as an adjunct for various pathologies. Carnicetin capsules, succinic acid can help patients with memory loss or deterioration of mental abilities. It is also effective in reducing immunity and helps in weight loss.
How dietary supplements work
Dietary supplements are different, and each of them affects the body in its own way. It is impossible to rely on the experience of a neighbor when choosing. A single additive solves the identified problem in specific conditions. Let’s take for example several products developed in the Austrian laboratory of Dr.Auer.
Exadipine – help losing weight and diabetics
It is a biologically active supplement based on the extract of salacia reticulata – a medicinal plant native to India. It looks like a tree vine and is known for its active use in Ayurveda. The key action of salacia is the blocking of carbohydrates. Due to this, dietary supplements based on it are used to normalize metabolism, lose weight and maintain the body in diabetes mellitus.
The following effects are noted:
- maintaining normal blood glucose levels;
- weight loss;
- slowing down the synthesis of fat cells.
Exadipine also contains vitamin D3, which regulates appetite. Taking it 5-10 minutes before meals helps regulate the amount of food eaten and thereby reduce the risk of weight gain. To stabilize the metabolism and get rid of the tendency to overeating, it is required to use the supplement for three months and only after consultation with an endocrinologist.
Basenpulver is an alkaline powder containing a set of essential trace elements:
tri – substituted calcium orthophosphate;
- calcium citrate;
- sodium selenite;
- potassium bicarbonate;
- potassium citrate;
- bi – substituted magnesium orthophosphate;
- magnesium citrate.
Its reception allows not only to make up for the lack of calcium, potassium and magnesium. The representation of these micronutrients in the form of alkalis helps in the fight against acidosis (violation of the pH balance, characterized by increased acidity). Additional effects of dietary supplements are detoxification of the body, improved digestion, restoration of hydrobalance.
Replenishing calcium reserves improves the condition of nails and hair, is the prevention of osteoporosis. Taking magnesium and potassium strengthens the heart and blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, reduces nervous tension.
Basenpulver is consumed in dissolved form in the proportion of one teaspoon per half cup of water per day. It is more effective to select the dosage under the supervision of a nutritionist.
Do dietary supplements cause harm
Bona fide manufacturers provide products for voluntary certification. The body confirms the quality of the drug and assesses the degree of risk. Therefore, only those additives that definitely do not pose a danger to the consumer enter the market.
However, it is necessary to take into account the individual susceptibility of the body to a particular substance:
- in autoimmune diseases, zinc should be taken with caution;
- in case of renal insufficiency, potassium should not be taken (with this diagnosis, it is in excess);
- in case of circulatory disorders, it is better to minimize the intake of magnesium;
- if you have problems with blood clotting, you should limit the intake of vitamin C and fatty acids.
It is recommended to take into account the optimal intake of certain substances. So, vitamin K2 is best consumed with food, iron and vitamin B12 – before, and magnesium and vitamin C – after it.
In general, taking dietary supplements, although not a treatment, should be monitored by a doctor. He will determine which substances are missing and which dosages will help to fill the deficit. It will also prevent the intake of trace elements that are not needed in this situation. Then biologically active additives will only benefit.
