Dietary supplements – why they are so important

These days, nutritional supplements are indispensable. We encounter them in everyday life as capsules, powder, drops or tablets. In the form of vitamins, minerals and other substances such as fatty acids and fiber, they represent a useful addition to our daily diet and ensure vital functions in our body.

Many vitamins and minerals can be obtained through food. For example, while vitamin B12 is found in all animal foods (meat, fish, egg yolks and dairy products), fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. Unfortunately, it is often not possible to absorb sufficient quantities of vital substances through food, so supplementation with dietary supplements can be useful in order to achieve the reference value for daily requirements recommended by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) .

Why can we no longer get enough food?

1. Industrial food and modern eating habits
Bag soups, frozen pizza, etc. have long since established themselves on supermarket shelves. Unfortunately, this “fast food” often uses inferior raw materials, such as hydrogenated fats and artificial flavor enhancers. Or the nutrient content is so reduced during industrial processing by added artificial fillers and ingredients that one can hardly speak of “natural” or “healthy” anymore.

2. Environmental influences and stress
The fact that stress puts additional strain on our bodies is not uncommon and is certainly already known to many of us. However, very few people are aware that this additional burden can also lead to bottlenecks in the nutrient supply. Because of the stress, the body often uses more nutrients and needs more to meet its needs. Similar to stress, environmental influences such as fine dust pollution or noise also put a strain on our bodies and attack our nutrient stores.

3. Medication
The same applies to certain medications. Just as food can influence the body's reaction to medication, it can also happen that nutrient absorption is inhibited by taking medication and the body is not supplied with sufficient nutrients. For example, certain antibiotics cause iron absorption to be reduced.

4. End products contain fewer nutrients compared to before
Like everything else, the cultivation of fruit and vegetables has changed over time: fruit and vegetables are designed to be particularly sweet, colorful and attractive to consumers through a variety of breeding methods. In addition, the use of chemical fertilizers puts a lot of strain on the soil in agriculture, which causes soil quality to suffer. This means that many end products contain fewer nutrients when harvested.

5. Intolerances or voluntary waiver
In addition to unhealthy eating habits, certain intolerances or even voluntary avoidance of certain foods can also be the reason for a nutrient deficiency. Due to illnesses or operations, some people are unable to absorb nutrients through the gastrointestinal tract or can only absorb them in insufficient quantities. Reasons for this could be, for example, damage to the intestinal mucosa or the lack of a certain digestive enzyme. People who voluntarily avoid certain foods can quickly become deficient. Since vitamin B12 and Omega 3 are almost exclusively absorbed from animal sources, these two vitamins are particularly recommended for vegan and vegetarian people. By avoiding animal foods, the substances mentioned are only consumed in small quantities.

6. Increased nutrient requirements
Certain life situations and certain groups of people require an increased intake of nutrients because, for example, they consume more than usual through physical activity. This is particularly true for competitive athletes and pregnant women, who should consume more vitamins and nutrients due to the additional physical strain in order to meet their needs.

7. Increasing age
Older people often lack important vitamins and nutrients. In Germany they belong to the risk group when it comes to nutrient deficiency. On the one hand, this is because medications can have a negative impact on nutrient absorption. On the other hand, the energy requirement decreases with age and with it the natural appetite. Fruit and vegetables are becoming less and less common on the menu, meaning that the body is only supplied with vital substances very sparsely.

The consequences of a nutrient deficiency may not seem particularly serious at first. In the long term, however, those affected can suffer from long-term symptoms, among other things.

• Brittle, dull hair and even extreme hair loss
• Brittle nails with grooves and white dots
• Pale skin without glow
• Fatigue, listlessness and exhaustion
• Weakened immune system, susceptibility to infections
• Poor performance, difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings

In order to avoid these problems in advance, it is advisable to supplement your diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals. This way you can support your body and provide it with the right nutrients.

So if you already suffer from a deficiency or simply want to take precautions, nutritional supplements can help maintain your health and well-being as part of a healthy lifestyle. Never forget: dietary supplements can complete a healthy diet, but can never replace it!