Nowadays, anyone can find supplements that can help enhance their health. The web is full of variants, from multivitamins to PCOS supplements, and with such abundance you may think that supplements are always good for health.
But there is a huge difference between the supplements you take for medical conditions and the ones you take for diet. And surprisingly, the latter isn’t always beneficial.
So, before you purchase those expensive dietary supplements, read this detailed supplements VS healthy diet comparison to learn which option is better for you!
What Is a Dietary Supplement?
Dietary supplements are nutrients that are extracted from food or produced synthetically. These products are designed to increase the consumption of certain nutrients in the human body. For example, if your body has iron deficiency, you can take iron supplements to recover.
You can find a variety of dietary supplements. These include minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, fiber, and amino acids. Each supplement helps recover from a different deficiency. But if you want to overcome multiple deficiencies at once, there are also combinations available. You can consider a dietary supplement from a well-known brand Gundry MD which is the best combination. Read More about MCT Wellness reviews to know how it promotes health benefits and immunity, fat and weight loss, brain benefits, and better mood.
Traditionally, dietary supplements are manufactured in pill or capsule form. However, with the rise in the industry, companies have also introduced powder and liquid supplements. These forms are much easier to consume.
What Is a Healthy Diet?
A healthy diet refers to the consumption of all the necessary nutrients in the right proportion. In simpler words, when you eat foods that provide you with essential nutrients and energy, you have a healthy diet.
These nutrients include carbs, fat, protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and water. You can obtain them from both cooked and uncooked food items.
Supplements VS Healthy Diet: Key Differences
Now that we know what supplements and healthy diets are. Let’s explore the differences between them.
● Supplements can’t replace a healthy diet.
The word supplements is self-explanatory. These additional nutrients are made to supplement your diet and not replace it. So, there’s no point in taking supplements when your diet isn’t healthy at all.
Also, let’s not forget that the nutrients in food are much more potent than the ones in supplements. If you want to overcome a deficiency faster, eating nutrient-rich food is a better solution.
● Supplements aren’t easier to absorb in the body.
All food sources have a variety of nutrients. While they may have an abundance of one nutrient, there are several other nutrients too. This natural combination makes absorption easier for the body.
However, supplements aren’t made this way. The combinations are often harsh for the body, which is why you can’t take many supplements at once.
● Supplements can be reactive.
The US Food and Drug Administration department doesn’t test supplements. This means they may contain various unknown substances. So, if you take other medicines, these substances can react with them and damage your health.
It’s why you should always consult a professional and seek their advice on particular supplements before taking them.
So, Which One Is Better For You?
All in all, supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet. You should only take supplements when your body requires additional nutrients. This may be when you’re:
- Pregnant
- Suffering from a medical condition
- Old
Plus, you should always have a prescription for the supplements. Don’t self-diagnose health issues and eat supplements, instead talk to an expert. It will yield better results!