Supplements depend on the context they are been referred for. They can be whole food supplements, body building supplement or nutritional supplements. Health supplements are the standard supplements that a normal human requires on daily basis to make his or her body to work, grow and repair.
Nutritional supplements are taken to enhance the diet. Various vitamins, fiber, proteins and minerals are included in this. They are often labeled as dietary supplements. Nutrients which are missing or not consumed properly are supplied by these materials. The category may include the herbal supplement that can add other health benefits. Every nation has its own dietary supplement definition according to its citizenry because the physique of the people differs from region to region and so the requirement of health supplements.
The whole food supplements are foods that have been made into tablet form, powdered or poured in to capsules. Surprisingly, this is labeled as whole because the end product or supplement doesn’t contain any particles of food or synthetic or isolated vitamins. Added to this, whole food supplement should not contain any isolated minerals, carotenes, amino acids or any other substance, which is not native to, and still within the original food from where it is been derived.
On the other hand, vitamin pill or multi-Vitamin pills may contain a host of amino acids, minerals and vitamins and never the food cofactors. These supplements are often distributed free of cost by the government in the interest of public health. There are special supplements for pregnant woman available in different government health centers, which supply some extra nutrition that is required during the pregnancy to feed the mother and also the fetus.
Herbal supplements are used as medicines than as food because they serve more therapeutic purpose rather supplying nutrition. These supplements are generally supplied by medical practitioner or by herbalists or by naturopaths. There could be single herb supplement of multi-herb combination to meet perfect formula. These herbs serve medicinal value and they are time tested and trusted remedies for various diseases.
Other supplements are bodybuilding supplements. These are the substances taken by athletes who are involved in muscle building activities. They take these supplements for better sports performance or to improve their physiques. Usually, bodybuilding supplements include glutamine, branched chain amino acids, meal replacement products, pro-hormones (precursors to hormones), creatine (an organic acid), thermogenic products and sometimes testosterone boosters. Testosterone boosters made up by several naturally testosterone occurring plants and vitamins as well as some synthetic chemicals. Thermogenic causes thermogenesis that result in an increased metabolic rate of the human body. This will increase the body temperature and consequently increase the rate of burning the fat or adipose tissues of the body and therefore used in the treatment of obesity.
Every supplement must be government approved before consuming. One should take any type of supplement under strict medical supervision though health supplements are usually safe. Proper usage of these supplements will improve your general health and will give you the longevity.
