Dietary supplements – biologically active additives

Bioadditives are a complex of natural ingredients that affect the body as a general tonic or as a therapeutic substance.

Why do people use the services of dietary supplements?

Historically, at all times, people have used herbal medicines to cure diseases and viruses, to relieve fever and heal wounds. Natural remedies can relieve pain, improve digestion, play the role of relaxants or stimulants. Studying some plants, scientists came to the conclusion that sometimes their effectiveness is not worse than that of medical preparations, but you can usually not worry about the possible side effects. This was the reason for the creation of pharmacological products, called biologically active additives. But what is it really? What lies behind the well-known abbreviation of dietary supplements? And are these substances harmless, as is commonly believed?

Supplements, what’s in your capsule?

The raw material for most of these drugs are extracts from a variety of organic and inorganic substances. But we immediately note that this, at least, should ideally be. But since dietary supplements are not included in the list of substances whose quality is strictly controlled by law, the composition of most of them is only on the conscience of manufacturers. In this article we will talk about dietary supplements, so to speak, correct, manufactured in compliance with the technologies and exclusively from substances useful to humans.

The components of biologically active drugs can be a variety of substances. Depending on the function assigned to dietary supplements, it may contain different types of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, enzymes, fiber, bee products and plant extracts. They can play the role of probiotics and other beneficial substances for humans.

Types of dietary supplements

All biological active additives can be divided into 2 groups: nutraceuticals and parapharmaceuticals, or bioregulators. The first are drugs that restore the deficiency of certain substances in the body. Reception of these dietary supplements is justified for people whose diet is far from balanced. Substances from the second group affect the functioning of organs and systems. As a rule, they are taken for prophylaxis or as an adjunct in parallel with traditional therapy. Although often manufacturers combine the properties of both species in one preparation.

What you need to remember while taking dietary supplements?

Taking dietary supplements, we must bear in mind that, like conventional medicines, they can cause side effects in the form of allergies, as well as affect the effectiveness of certain drugs. In addition to vitamins and minerals, the long-term effects of dietary supplements are unknown. It is also important to remember that the quality of dietary supplements on 100 percent can not guarantee anyone. Moreover, some studies generally refute the effectiveness of dietary supplements, comparing their work with the placebo effect.

How are supplements useful?

Bioactive supplements are not drugs, and therefore their principles of administration are also different.

Meanwhile, they can be useful for the prevention of certain diseases. Often they are taken as a means to strengthen the immune system or additional sources of vitamins. Dietary supplements from natural ingredients can be an effective supplement in the complex treatment of chronic diseases.

In addition, bioactive additives are able to:

• regulate the metabolism of nutrients;
• promote blood formation and proper blood clotting;
• play the role of antioxidant;
• some have hormone-like properties;
• influence enzymatic processes;
• affect cellular respiration;
• activate the reproductive abilities of the body;
• promote the formation of connective tissue;
• detoxify;
• strengthen the heart and blood vessels;
• enhance immunity;
• maintain electrolyte balance;
• promote the stability of acid-base balance;
• beneficial effect on intestinal microflora.

How do dietary supplements differ from drugs?

The first and most important difference between bioactive supplements and drugs – in the composition of both drugs: raw materials for dietary supplements, as a rule, are natural substances.

Secondly, both drugs differ in the principles of work: dietary supplements give a milder effect and, as a rule, do not have side effects. In addition, they do not accumulate in the body and do not have a toxic effect. Given these nuances, it becomes clear why the body more easily tolerates the effects of dietary supplements than traditional medicines.

When it is worth remembering about supplements

Despite the fact that there is no unequivocal opinion in the world about the effectiveness of biological products, in some cases, even doctors recommend that patients take a course of capsules on a natural basis.

As a rule, these substances are resorted to when it is necessary to restore the vitamin-mineral balance or saturate the diseased body with certain nutrients. Also, high-quality dietary supplements are effective for strengthening immunity, accelerating metabolism, normalizing intestinal microflora, and as a substance that cleanses the body of toxins and poisons. Recently, dietary supplements for weight loss and regulation of metabolic processes in the body have gained particular popularity. Also, it is worth noting that the composition of many dietary supplements is a cocktail of substances that are extremely useful for humans, playing the role of powerful antioxidants.

Given such a wide functional spectrum of dietary supplements, almost everyone can take them at any age. The main thing is to choose the right dietary supplement.

It is also worth taking supplements:

• pregnant women;
• children during intensive growth;
• with problems of the musculoskeletal system;
• with diseases of internal organs;
• in a period of increased emotional stress;
• in old age.

Deficiency and excess of bioactive substances

Perhaps, many are interested in what the biologically active additives are useful and harmful to. But even with this information, sometimes you can harm the body if you take drugs in the wrong dosage.

Thus, an excess of dietary supplements, as a rule, resembles the usual poisoning. Nausea, vomiting, weakness, changes in body temperature, dizziness, and even hallucinations. All this can occur against the background of excessive consumption of bio-substances. In addition, it is possible to develop hypervitaminosis and excessive accumulation of other nutrients that make up the supplement.

But the fact that the body lacks beneficial elements may indicate weakness, fatigue, dizziness, vitamin deficiency, problems with skin, hair, nails, “flies” in the eyes and other signs.

Efficacy of bio-substances

Bioactive supplements are very specific drugs. And in order to feel their effectiveness is not enough 1-2 tablets taken from time to time. There are quite a few recommendations on how to make supplements as effective and beneficial to humans.

Firstly, most dietary supplements are not a miracle pill for a specific ailment. They affect the body in a complex way, strengthening, if not all organs and systems, then at least functionally similar ones. But, at the same time, among the proposed drugs, you can choose an additive that is most suitable for a person at a certain stage of treatment or prevention. For example, after taking antibiotics, it’s good to drink a dietary supplement that acts on the body like a probiotic. Or, after treatment with drugs whose side effects have affected the liver or kidneys, you can take a bio-course with a cleansing effect.

As for dosages, for most biologics they are not strictly defined, and vary depending on the needs (therapeutic effect or prevention). But still, it is necessary to start taking an unfamiliar substance with small dosages, gradually increasing the daily allowance.

In some cases, the time of taking the drug matters, and to enhance its effectiveness it is worth following certain recommendations. For example, most dietary supplements are advised to drink with food. If this is a tonic, then it should be consumed in the morning. If it is a calcium preparation, then you need to drink it before or after a meal, withstanding a minimum of 30-minute pause. It is important to store packages with tablets or capsules in a dark, dry place or even in the refrigerator in order to preserve the biological activity of the active substance as much as possible.

The most popular components of dietary supplements

succinic acid

Bioactive supplements, which include succinic acid, affect the work of all cells in the body, stimulating their activity. This substance is a very powerful tool, therefore, in order to avoid overdose, it is important to take a break in taking drugs containing succinic acid.

Garlic

Preparations with garlic extract are useful for headaches and manifestations of arthritis, as well as to cleanse the blood vessels. Usually dietary supplements containing garlic are oil capsules.

Algae

Most often, the component of bioactive additives is sea kale – kelp.

This brown-red sea plant is a rich source of iodine. Laminaria is important for the effective functioning of the thyroid gland and strengthening the immune system. This is an effective remedy for fighting purulent inflammation. In addition, it is a source of other components that are equally important for health: magnesium, iron, zinc, cobalt, nickel, lithium. Together, they all have a positive effect on the work of the adrenal glands, genitals, pancreas and other organs of the endocrine system. When choosing dietary supplements based on kelp, it is important to know that this algae does not have the best effect on the body in case of kidney disease or blood clotting disorders.

Spirulina family seaweed as a dietary supplement is important for colon cleansing, and is also an excellent source of protein (contains 20 times more protein than soy), which is absorbed by the body faster than proteins from animal products. In addition, it contains large reserves of iron, beta-carotene and some enzymes. This whole complex helps to cleanse the liver and blood vessels.

Chlorella is also a popular component of dietary supplements. This alga is primarily used as a source of protein.

Fish fat

Dietary supplements, the main component of which is fish oil, are usually rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. They stabilize blood pressure, strengthen blood vessels, and have a beneficial effect on the skin. Important for children’s health, in particular for activating the brain and strengthening the organs of vision.

Royal jelly bee

This substance contains essential amino acids for humans and many vitamins. Preparations based on royal jelly are used to treat the nervous system, enhance potency and strengthen the immune system. Dietary supplements of this type are used to treat anemia, with exhaustion, and also for resorption of adhesions. But high blood pressure and epilepsy are serious contraindications for the use of drugs containing these substances.

Pollen

This flower product can often be seen in the list of components of bioactive supplements. In particular, pollen is combined with rutin and protein. In this combination, they are an excellent drug for strengthening blood vessels. Dietary supplements of this group are prescribed as prophylactic agents against strokes, heart attacks, as well as to strengthen the eye vessels. Also, effective for restoring potency and fighting infections. And for children, such drugs are useful during a period of intensive growth.

Meanwhile, it is important to consider that all bee products are strong allergens. True, pollen belongs to the least dangerous.

lecithin

Lecithin obtained from egg yolk or soy makes bioactive supplements useful for high cholesterol, improper absorption of vitamins A and E. Also, dietary supplements that contain this substance are used to restore the nervous system, cleanse the liver, get rid of fatigue, anxiety, and depressive conditions and to activate brain functions.

In addition to the above, many dietary supplements include extracts of carrots, sea buckthorn, pineapples, avocados, grapes and nuts. Also, in the list of components you can see Icelandic moss and other exotic plants.

In the era of fast foods and “artificial” food, a person does not receive even a tenth of the useful substances that our grandparents provided themselves with from food. Therefore, it is not surprising that the relevance of dietary supplements is increasing every year. These bioactive substances are able to give the body everything it needs. But, on one condition. The dietary supplement itself is a high-quality preparation containing extracts of all the declared components, without impurities and substitutes, then, in fact, it will bring benefits to a person, not harm.