Do you really need dietary supplements?

Are you a little confused when it comes to dietary supplements?

Do you feel a little overwhelmed by the dietary supplements available on the market?

What are they? Do you need them?

Well, let me answer the "need" question with a question of my own... Do you suffer from some type of disorder that makes it difficult to absorb some type of nutrient? Or do you eat on the run, not paying any particular attention to what you're chewing on?

If you're reasonably healthy, try to eat a complete, balanced diet, then the plain answer is "No, you do not need them". (Pregnant women and those with particularly heavy menstrual cycles are exceptions).

Dietary supplements include fatty acids, minerals, vitamins or amino acids that are lacking in your diet. Of course, the "dietary supplement experts" out there will tell you how essential their concoctions are to your health. Oh, allow me to throw this little arrow: only "their" formula is the best!

They can be very persuasive with their intentional misinterpretation of facts.

Personally, I will never forget a certain store I visited a while ago. The "top expert in the field" (probably the store manager) wore a white lab coat, complete with stethoscope in one pocket! You have no idea how difficult it was for me to keep a straight face.

Oh yes, I asked for his qualifications. I was informed that he had "considerable experience". Formal training? Yes, from behind the desk he pulled out a fancy looking certificate - he called it degree.

Unfortunately for him, I recognized the name of the insitution: a non-accredited place that specializes in SELLING degrees!

I know I shouldn't have said anything, but I suppose the devil made me do it... Just before I walked out in disgust, I told him about my neighbour who had been considering the purchase of a degree from that same institution! Speechless... Yes, perhaps it was mean of me, but no apology here.

For example, take a bottle of vitamins (a dietary supplement) off the shelf and read the label. It states, "Energy and metabolism. B vitamins are interdependent upon each other to achieve a wide variety of metabolic functions affected by physical stress." And just below the claim you'll see, "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Aministration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

So why does the FDA not take more of an active role in the dietary supplements industry?

1: research trials can be very expensive.

2: "consumers' freedom of choice".

The take-home message here?

Please, continue to maintain a healthy level of skepticism. Don't spend good money over unsubstantiated claims.

And this brings to mind a couple of other things...

Just a few months ago, a friend of mine started to tell me all about the benefits of glyconutrients. Well, she really didn't tell me "all about them", because when I asked her about the specific health benefits of glyconutrients, she looked a little lost and said, "They're supposed to be good for you, they give you energy and other stuff".

And what does that mean?? Give you energy and other stuff. I must remember that line!

Lets' set the record straight.

Glyconutrients is a term that was coined by a certain MLM company (I won't mention the name). Simply stated, glyconutrients are dietary supplements that consist of a variety of sugars. Extremely small numbers of people - victims of leukocyte adhesion deficiency, for example - happen to be in need of these sugars. But for most of us, our own biochemistry is quite capable of convertising these sugars!

You may also be interested to know that just a few years ago this particular MLM company faced a large lawsuit for violations with respect to product misrepresentation.

The second and last thing I'd like you to know pertains to toothpaste and mouthwash.

Regarding toothpaste. Don't spend extra money to buy toothpaste containing baking soda - unless you want to spend the extra money, that is. The addition of baking soda does make your mouth feel cleaner and fresher. Baking soda helps neutralize saliva, but you can achieve the exact same results by dipping your toothbrush in ordinary baking soda.

About mouthwash. If you really can't live without it, try using it before brushing your teeth, not after. The reason I'm saying this is fairly simple. Using the mouthwash after brushing can actually increase the risk of cavities. Why?

Because you mouth naturally contains bacteria. What's a favourite food of bacteria? Sugar.

What's the main ingredient in mouthwash? Alcohol. And what is alcohol? A type of sugar. Hmmm.... and we thought we were killing germs.

Dietary supplements, antioxidants