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What Are Health Food Supplements?
by Contributing Writer
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Overview
Are health food supplements healthy?
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Health food supplements are a popular craze. They are popular because they are easy, fast and readily available. This article will give the definition of health food supplements along with the reasons why they may not always be healthy.
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What is health food? Whomever you ask will give a different definition. The word food isn't even easy to define. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, food is defined as material consisting of carbohydrates, proteins and fats used in the body to sustain growth, repair and rebuild.
A variety of food lends to a balanced diet.
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Food and Supplements
Health food supplements are not food. Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets for many reasons. Some dietary supplements may help people improve their nutrient intake but because they do not have calories, they can't technically give energy. The Food and Drug Administration defined supplements in 1994 as products taken by mouth that contain a dietary ingredients intended to supplement the diet. Energy is measured by calories so foods or supplements lacking calories don't release energy. Some supplements may be safe but because of they way they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, they are not guaranteed safe. Most labels indicate that the supplement has what it says on the label; this has nothing to do with safety.
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Supplement Forms
Supplements come in many forms; capsules, softgels, gelcaps, tablets, liquid, powder, bars and beverages. Supplements come in many types; vitamins, minerals, botanicals, sports supplements, weight loss or weight gain supplements and specialty areas.
Know what you are getting.
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Supplement Facts
Always ask your doctor before taking any supplements. If you have health problems, you could be putting yourself at risk because some supplements contain unhealthy, large doses or products that may interact with your medications. The FDA doesn't regulate supplements. The FDA doesn't approve supplements before they are sold. They can only take actions against unsafe products after the consumer falls ill. The American Institute for Cancer Research advises not to take supplements of any kind to decrease the risk of cancer.
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According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, some supplements are so harmful that high doses may worsen cancer outcomes and increase the risk for development of cancer. For overall health, eat a variety of food and base your diet on plant-based versus animal-based foods. A colorful diet is your best defense for preventing disease. If you take supplements, be cautious and safe.
