The dietary supplements are included in the last weeks. Pharmacological group - Biologically active food additives (dietary supplements)

Subgroup preparations excluded... Enable

Description

Biologically active food additives (BAA) are substances of natural origin that normalize the balance of nutrients, help maintain health (prevention of diseases) and accelerate the healing process. To a certain extent, the appearance of such additives was the result, on the one hand, of the evolution of society's views on human health, and on the other hand, the accumulation of knowledge and technologies necessary for a deep, comprehensive study of all the possibilities of natural sources, the isolation and improvement of many means of natural origin.

Many dietary supplements contain substances of adaptogenic and tonic action that stimulate the body's defenses, increase overall stability and vitality, physical and mental performance, reduce the negative impact of the environment and stress. Extracts from various plants (aralia, leuzea, lemongrass, rhodiola rosea, zamaniha, eleutherococcus, ginseng, etc.), animal organs (maral antlers, etc.), elixirs and balms from medicinal herbs, pollen, propolis (bee glue), royal jelly (beekeeping product, which is also called royal jelly), mummy. In food supplements, the above components are contained, as a rule, in combination with vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber (fiber) and other substances. The composition and ratio of these components vary greatly depending on the purpose of the application.

Seaweed - spirulina, kelp, fucus, ascophyllum, chlorella - are widely used in many dietary supplements. These foods are an excellent source of plant-based, easily digestible protein. In addition, they are rich in vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, unsaturated fatty acids. Algae accelerate the elimination of radionuclides, salts of heavy metals, toxic substances from the body, purifying it and delaying the aging process, stimulate the immune system. They are also used for the prevention of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, asthma and allergic reactions, help to normalize the function of the thyroid gland (because they are rich in iodine), and eliminate inflammatory processes in the digestive tract.

An important role in the positive effect of dietary supplements is played by dietary fibers that are part of plant foods. The main types of dietary fiber are cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, lignin. They are not absorbed by the body, but give a feeling of fullness, so they are often included in diets aimed at reducing body weight. A person's diet should contain at least 30-50 g of dietary fiber per day. The modern technology of processing raw materials in the manufacture of many products leads to the destruction of dietary fiber, and not enough of them is supplied with food. And they are necessary not only to feel full. Dietary fiber helps to lower cholesterol levels and stabilize blood glucose, normalize the digestive tract, and are an excellent sorbent for toxins, heavy metal salts and other foreign substances. They are used to prevent rectal cancer, diabetes mellitus, constipation, hemorrhoids, obesity. The most important natural sources of dietary fiber are bran (wheat, rice, oat), the upper part of the shell of vegetables and fruits. In dietary supplements, MCC is often used, obtained by careful processing of cotton cellulose. A number of dietary supplements contain complexes of MCC with adaptogens or sources of vitamins (for example, rose hips). MCC is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a non-therapeutic excipient (inertness) for tablets.

The composition of dietary supplements used to cleanse the body of toxins and foreign substances, along with various types of dietary fiber, include zeolites - minerals enriched with trace elements. Zeolites are good sorbents and remove low molecular weight harmful compounds from the body in case of poisoning (methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, toxins, etc.), as well as excess metal ions. On the other hand, trace elements are released from zeolites, which the body lacks.

An effective dietary supplement is brewer's yeast containing a complex of vitamins (especially of group B), trace elements, low molecular weight biologically active substances, incl. easily digestible proteins. They normalize digestion and metabolism, activate the immune system, help maintain high physical and mental performance, eliminate heavy metals, radionuclides, and harmful chemical compounds from the body. They are also used for vitamin deficiency, protein starvation, reduced resistance to infections, anemia, after surgery and diseases, for the prevention of tumors in ecologically unfavorable areas.

Brewer's yeast is a good source of lecithin, a building material for cell membranes, incl. all muscle and nerve cells. The source of lecithin is also soy, egg yolks, cereals, legumes, fish, wheat germ.

Health promotion by all kinds of methods is becoming more and more popular. One of the actively developing trends is the use of dietary supplements.

Some bright minds of medicine believe that it is a panacea, reviews of a number of doctors tend to believe that this is a useless dummy. What does bad mean: benefit or harm to humans?

What are dietary supplements

Composition of active substances, selected taking into account the recommendations for use, which is a mixture of natural, identical to natural ingredients.

Non-drug products are designed to be taken directly with food. The principle of action is the enrichment of food with the necessary useful macro- and microelements.

Basically, dietary supplements are a non-alcoholic mixture of extracts of plant and mineral fauna, enzymes, synthetic similitude of natural substances, organic complexes. To enhance the effect, animal extracts can be included. Moreover, the components used in the preparations are low toxic, well tolerated by the body. In rare cases, with prolonged use, complications or side effects occur.

Application improves adaptive capabilities for:

• Deteriorating ecology;
• Change of the climatic zone;
• Drawing up a therapeutic diet;
• Increased physical or mental stress;
• Recovery of the body after surgery, prolonged illness.

Classification of dietary supplements

Biological additives have a number of group divisions depending on the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

According to the first systematization, the preparations are divided according to the modification technology:

• Concentrates of natural nutrients: mineral water, sea salt, honey, seaweed;
• Food additives in the form of spices, dried fruits, fermented milk, wine, yeast fermented products, tea;
• Medicinal extracts;
• Artificially designed complexes;
• An enriched food supplement modified with active beneficial elements.

The second group is the source of funds.

The main classification is by type:

• Nutraceutical - is an additional source of protein, fat, carbohydrate components, amines, trace elements. Designed to enrich poor food, correct malnutrition. Prevents the occurrence of vitamin deficiency. Improves metabolism. Strengthens the immune system. It is part of the therapeutic diet;
• Parapharmaceutical is an additive related to bioregulators, used for complex therapy, normalization of the functioning of internal organs and systems. The impact occurs purposefully on the source of the problem or protection from the influence of external adverse factors;
• Eubiotic is a remedy based on microorganisms, metabolites, substrate, normalizing the state of the gastrointestinal microflora. Supports local immunity.

The composition of dietary supplements

It is useful to note that the dietary supplement composition of active substances directly depends on the type of preparation and the purpose of its use.

The main components of the funds are polysaccharides - they have directional properties: absorption of toxins, immunomodulation, laxative. Supports sputum excretion, metabolic processes. Enrich the body with vitamins and minerals. Applicable:

• Gum - in addition to its beneficial effect, it is addictive;

• Vegetable fibers - cellulose, lignin from bran, germ of cereals, alfalfa. In addition to the expected cleansing, it provokes the adsorption of vitamins, mineral salts. May impair metabolism;
• Lipids - higher fatty acids of lecithin help to improve the regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol. It is used to prevent cardiovascular pathologies;
• Oils of walnuts, wheat, pumpkin and others - used as a supplement for diabetes, high cholesterol, menstrual disorders, dermatological problems, heart disease, thyroid, gastrointestinal tract;
• Irioids - tone the body at the cellular level;
• Sesquiterpenes - stimulate internal processes;
• Ethers - enhances functions;
• Phenolic compounds, flavones - support immunity, adaptability;
• Saponins - have sedative and anti-inflammatory properties;
• Alkoloids - hemostatic, normalizes tone, relieves pain;
• Vitamins, mineral salts - can contain the entire spectrum of the necessary trace elements or are enriched with several types to enhance the effect;
• Proteins, fats, carbohydrates - necessary for the full functioning of the body;
• Probiotics, prebiotics, enzyme units - aimed at improving the state of the gastrointestinal microflora;
• Extracts of beekeeping products - improvement of internal systems;
• Other components, selected depending on the therapeutic effect of the drug.

Differences between dietary supplements and drugs

Biological supplements are bad - they are not medicines, they can be used by completely healthy people. The direction of influence is enrichment with nutritional value of products in dosages not exceeding the daily requirement. That is, they are an additional source of necessary useful elements. Safety of use and absence of complications.

Appointments: support, correction of the body's activity. Increases the activity of adaptive physiological reactions, immune mechanisms, energy resource.

It has no name in the Latin alphabet and no stable chemical formula. The effect comes after a long course of use.

The use of dietary supplements

Biologically active additives are prescribed for:

• Severe deficiency of nutrients;
• Weight loss, strict diet, fasting;
• Lack of certain micronutrients;
• Strengthening and restoring immune forces;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Cleansing the body from toxins, toxins;
• Improving the microflora of mucous membranes and local resistance;
• Correction of failures in the functioning of internal systems;
• Antioxidant therapy.

Bad title	bad composition	application
Viruksin	Tannin. Sea buckthorn extract, cocoa, calcium, birch bark	Lozenges. As a source of tannins.
	Wormwood, cloves, calamus, fennel, ginger root
	A wide line of products for solving various health problems	Prevention of ENT, cardiological, ophthalmic diseases. With neuroses. For potency, with prostatitis.
	Powder, gel	From hematomas, bruises, acne - relieves pain, relieves inflammation on the skin.
	Milk thistle meal	For weight loss with a genetic predisposition.
	Linseed oil	Improving the condition of the integument of the dermis, hair.
	Eleutherococcus	Increased resistance.
	different	A number of drugs actively have a healing effect on the internal systems.
	Organic acids, radiola rosea, geranium, plantain, burdock	Antineoplastic properties, strengthening of the defenses during chemotherapy.
Magnetic	Vitamins and minerals	Restoration of the beauty of hair, nails, skin.
	Fish fat	It has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and heart, eliminates stress.
	Ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol	A source of vitamins and antioxidants.
Phytoform	Laminaria, horcinia, corn stigmas	Improving metabolism, reducing body weight.
	Cloves, black pepper, tansy, garlic, grapefruit, saussurea
	Trace elements C, d3, B 1,2,6,9,12, arbutin	Removal of inflammation of the urine of the excretory system.
Compositioneron	Zinc, silicon, manganese, boron. Glucosamine, Quercetin, Proanthocyanid	Pain relief, relief of symptoms of arthritis, arthrosis.
Brew yeast	B vitamins	Improves metabolism, normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes cholesterol.
	Amino acid	Increases the activity of metabolic processes. Strengthens the functions of the central nervous system, the digestive system. Reduces weight, diabetes manifestations.
Licorice lollipops	Liquorice root	Relieve inflammation in the throat and oral cavity, eliminate heartburn, allergies. Antispasmodic.
Leptoproject		Chronotherapy, anti-cold action.
Hair Expert	Beer yeast, horsetail, cystine, zinc	Reduces hair loss, increases volume, improves growth.
Evening	Dragee from valerian, hops, mint	To normalize sleep

Sale of dietary supplements

You can buy biologically active food supplements in pharmacies, on Internet portals, in specialized stores.

The cost of dietary supplements

Since the production of dietary supplements is a complex process that requires quality control, adherence to dosing norms according to sanpin, the price of drugs cannot be too low. The cost includes: amount of active substance, brand, country of origin. Domestic funds will be cheaper than imported ones.

What you should pay attention to when choosing dietary supplements

There are many fakes on the Russian market. Without a clear gost, the manufacturer is given the opportunity to produce drugs without meeting all the requirements, as well as to use components of low quality or replace them with cheaper analogues.

Before buying dietary supplements:

• Read reviews;
• Learn about the brand;
• Read the label, annotation, instructions;
• The price cannot be very low or high;
• The manufacturer must indicate that the supplement is not a medicine;
• Registration number in the register of Rospotrebnadzor;
• Purchase from official websites or pharmacies.

For 2 years now it has been a big mystery to me why I am so often asked how to take these or those dietary supplements. I also understand when a fork is indicated, such as 1-3 capsules. But they ask even when it is written to take 1 capsule a day. And more - with food or on an empty stomach. And also this is the signature: "How long will the jar last?"

My friends, everything is written on the jars, and this information is duplicated on the site iHerb... I do not receive any secret detailed recommendations from the manufacturers of dietary supplements or iHerb - I am just analyzing the information available to everyone.

Yes, sometimes I give some more specific recommendations than indicated by the manufacturer, based on the knowledge gained somewhere, but, as a rule, they are within the scope of what the manufacturer recommends. Those. if you do not know at all what the traditional daily portions of certain dietary supplements are, choose preparations without the "extra strength" labels and follow the manufacturer's recommendations. In this case, you will not make fatal mistakes.

Nevertheless, there are small nuances in the descriptions that are not obvious even for those who have been taking dietary supplements for a long time. Check yourself.

There will be many letters in the post, but everything is simple. In fact, it is so simple that it is easier to figure it out for yourself than to read the post. But since not everyone succeeds, we read carefully.

Let's go in order. Take for example Doctor's Best Chondroitin-Glucosamine (360 capsules) .

1. There is a nameplate on the jar Supplement Facts... In the description for each drug on iHerb, it is also there. There is a list of active substances and their amount.

There are some important numbers here. We find in the plate:

Serving Size: 2 capsules. This is the number of capsules for 1 reception... There can be several such receptions during the day. How much exactly - we'll read about it elsewhere.

Serving per container (servings per package): 180 servings. There are 360 \u200b\u200bcapsules in a can. 1 serving - 2 capsules as described above. So we got the number of servings in the can - 180.

Amount per serving (amount of active ingredients per serving)... This is where many are mistaken. This amount is exactly per serving! Not for 1 capsule, not for a daily dose, but for 1 serving, which we can accept at a time. In this case, we have 750 mg of glucosamine, 600 mg of chondroitin and 500 mg of sulfur for 2 capsules.

2. How many capsules should I take per day? We read this in Suggested Use... On each jar, the manufacturer gives recommendations on the number of capsules. In this case, it is recommended to take 2 capsules 2 times a day, i.e. 2 servings a day. "Twice" is "twice"! With or without food.

If it is not written, with food or on an empty stomach, then it does not matter !!!

What to do if a plug is indicated, i.e. "from" and "to" (for example, 1-3 capsules per day). If you do not know how to properly take and take a dietary supplement for prophylaxis, you can choose the smallest amount from the specified number of capsules. If the treatment is maximum. Start from your condition.

And now we come to the crown "how long the jar will last"... I hope it is already becoming clear how to calculate this. We are looking at our preparation. 180 servings. Take 2 servings daily. What do we get? 180 servings / 2 times \u003d 90 days. Or divide 360 \u200b\u200bcapsules into 4 capsules a day - we get the same 90 days.

My post echoes this topic, where I taught to count the cost of 1 mg of active ingredient in dietary supplements and choose the most profitable options. Here's this post: .

And, my friends, if someone read both posts still did not understand anything, we read it again and delve into it, and strain our brain until we understand. Because, secretly, this is class 2 arithmetic and it's not a matter of understanding bads. This is the basic knowledge that is vital every day in a variety of situations! To be honest, I don't really understand how you can live without them at all.

I will say more. The brain needs to be trained. Because only a trained brain can keep the body young and healthy. to help!

When buying multivitamin complexes, each of us pays attention to the fact that in packages you can find capsules, tablets, and balls, even multivitamin syrups often catch our eye. A meticulous person asks the question: how are all the necessary substances collected together and introduced into these pharmaceutical forms?

It has been proven that natural vitamins are absorbed much better than synthetic ones... And this, in turn, means that the former must somehow be obtained from natural materials and preserved for us. But everyone who regularly visits the kitchen and is engaged in cooking is well aware of what methods can be used to preserve the product in a decent form, minimizing the loss of nutrients, and in what conditions we turn it into a "dummy".

The same applies to technologies for extracting the necessary substances from natural materials, just like their placement in pharmaceutical forms. One of the main goals of using decent modern technology is to extract by extraction as much as possible more nutrients and as little harmful... In this case, it must be ensured high biological safety the obtained extracts. But that's not all. At the exit, a drug should be obtained that has composition with strictly specified properties, balanced in nutrients, micro - and macronutrients, at the same time - the most effective, and even the minimum cost.

In enlarged form production technology of dietary supplementscan be represented as follows:

Grinding plants and mixing them according to a formula or recipe.

Getting extracts, drying.

Creation of a pharmaceutical form.

Each of these points can significantly affect the quality and effectiveness of the final product - the one that we end up buying from a pharmacy or from a distributor. Therefore, now I propose to dwell on each of the points in a little more detail.

Shredding plants

To date, various methods of grinding herbs are used, while the most advanced is cryoshatter - finely dispersed (dust-like) grinding of plant parts at a temperature close to absolute zero, in an inert gas medium with special mills after deep freezing or lipophilic drying. It is considered advanced because:

1. provides maximum bioavailability;
2. keeps the plant cell "alive" without damaging it, preserving all nutrients and useful substances;
3. allows you to strictly dose plants;
4. does not allow to lose the beneficial properties of plants due to oxidation;

5. allows you to create dietary supplements with a synergistic action of the components (in other words, enhancing the beneficial properties of each other).

Other methods of crushing plants do not allow achieving the above-mentioned goals to the extent that it is available for cryo-crushing. The bioavailability of such compositions reaches 90-96 %%.

Getting extracts

There are various extraction methods.

Extraction with water

Extraction with chemical solvents

CO2 extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction in CO2

All these types of extraction are different from each other:

• the amount of pollutants (impurities),
• extraction temperature (it is important for the preservation of substances in the extract - at high temperatures, vitamins are destroyed in whole or in part, proteins coagulate);
• the amount of nutrients in the final extract;
• the ability of each type of extraction to release substances from plants that can cause allergic reactions.

The foremost is considered supercritical fluid extractionsince she:

• allows you to get ultrapure extracts,
• has no contamination with the working substance (as a rule, these substances are of chemical origin).

Add to this the high bioavailability of the resulting extracts, the ability to obtain therapeutic effects in small and ultra-small amounts of nutrients, dietary supplements with a synergistic action of the components. Another advantage of supercritical extraction is that, unlike other extraction methods, it does not release allergy-causing substances.

As a result, thanks to this technology, a dietary supplement can be created, practically, of an arbitrarily high efficiency at low doses of the active substance.

Creation of a pharmaceutical form

Well-known tablets, capsules, etc. can be referred to pharmaceutical forms. It is believed that tableted forms lead to a loss of active substances up to 50%. They also contain chemical fillers. There is cold and hot tableting. As you may have guessed, the latter leads to a greater loss of active ingredients.

Capsules are animal and vegetable origin. It is believed that capsules of animal origin (made from gelatin) are potentially dangerous due to the possibility of viral contamination. In addition, there is also the problem of gene aggression. In medical practice, there are many similar cases with drugs obtained from animal organs.

Capsules made from vegetable raw materials (in particular, from algae ogar-ogar, on the basis of which good marmalade is made) are not only a kind of container that transports useful substances to the body, but also a purifier that removes heavy metals from the body. In addition, this plant material has antiallergenic activity.

Now is the time to make a small digression and dwell on the concept bioinformatic medicine, on the basis of which the principle of homeopathic medicines is built: there is practically no active substance in the solution, and the medicine is the stronger, the more times it is diluted and the smaller proportions in relation to the filler it is present in the preparation. So, all types of dietary supplements and medicines carry bioinformationit's proven. But at the same time, the purer the substances and components included in dietary supplements, the more powerful bioenergetics such a dietary supplement has ... And it is important that they are not destroyed by technology.

I agree with you: the portion of the theory that you just read above does not solve the main problem - determining the level of drug qualitywhich we are going to buy. In the end, we are not specialists in the field of pharmaceutical production, we do not participate in the development of formulations, we do not stand at the conveyor belt, we do not understand the intricacies of technologies, and we certainly cannot determine by eye what technology was used in the case of this drug. In the end, there is a difference between a tablet and a tablet, and you can pour crushed dried grass into the capsule ... The question is, what to do?

It's a thankless job to give recommendations ... Nevertheless, I would probably advise, looking into the eyes of the seller offering the goods, ask only one question: what methods of grinding herbs and subsequent extraction of active substances from them were used in the production of this drug. It seems that by the first reaction it will already become clear who is in front of you, how competent this person is, and, in general, whether he understands what he is selling. Although, I want to make a reservation right away: this question may not be enough. You can learn a beautifully and convincingly sounding phrase - you still won't check whether you are being deceived or not. Therefore, in any case, it makes sense to inquire about the manufacturer's name and ask for a quality certificate issued based on the results of clinical trials. Self-respecting companies consider it their duty to conduct such research. In the end, it is beneficial for them to have confirmation not only of the safety of their product (such studies are carried out without fail), but also of its effectiveness (and this is already on a voluntary basis - at the request of the manufacturer, and it is quite expensive). It seems that we are interested not only in the first, but also in the last, since there is no desire to pay for air ... So we smoothly approached one of the most important questions: how does the use of the most advanced technologies affect the price?

BAD: What are we paying for?

Indeed, does it make sense to pay tens of dollars for something that, it would seem, can be bought at a pharmacy for half a dollar? Both there and there are dried plants. A couple of tablespoons of herbs were sent into a cup, poured with boiling water (or alcohol - which is also done by many at home, for example, in order to obtain alcoholic infusions) - and received a certain dose of active ingredients. But it was not there. The extraction of ingredients with water, alcohol or ether, used in more primitive production processes, is capable of destroying a colossal amount of substances that we need so much (as a result, we end up with almost nothing for a low price ...) In addition, it is optimal to use not individual isolated components, but the entire complex substances found in the plant cell (and this has been proven by the example of many medicinal plants). Ideally, the biologically active components of the plant should also be preserved, which help to better absorb substances in our intestines. But in order to achieve all this and at once, one cannot do without advanced technologies. It is they that make it possible to multiply the beneficial properties of raw materials, avoid overdose, side effects and allergic reactions. But at the same time, it is necessary to soberly assess the cost of using such technologies. The same cryo-crushing, which we wrote about above, - the most gentle way to preserve active ingredients and the most complete in terms of their use - is one of the most expensive technologies.

Another important point, which rarely anyone thinks about when comparing the cost of identical goods: payment for confidence as a product for name (brand), for the accumulated experience, behind warrantythat the product will give what it is bought for. All this also has its own value. .

Now, having read all of the above, let each of us answer a simple question: we are ready to pay dearly for something that does not appear this second and does not make itself felt with a brilliant result at once? We admit: for the most part - no, not ready. It is much clearer and more convincing for oneself to pay not for prevention, but for treatment. Because prevention is similar to a myth and requires faith, especially since many of us almost always begin to appreciate the good, only when we lose it - not before. And illness is a naked reality that you can see, that you feel, and after getting rid of which you can get a whole range of positive emotions. "Let go ..." And prevention ... why is it? After all, there is a wonderful "maybe" - "Maybe it will carry ..." You need to pay for sure, but "maybe" always gives hope to slip through our favorite way - for free. But, as they say, some hares are lucky, others pay a fine. Moreover, often - pulling out the last rubles from the wallet

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Currently, there is no shortage of products on store shelves for shoppers. On the one hand, this is good, but less and less can be found balanced in their composition. Due to the use of food additives, our diet has been enriched with various taste sensations, but the content of vitamins, minerals and essential trace elements has dropped sharply.

Now in pharmacy chains you can find a huge number of dietary supplements that are recognized to solve the problem. In the article we will try to figure out what dietary supplements are.

What are dietary supplements

If you look at the medical point of view, then they do not belong to the mandatory components of nutrition. They are not needed for full functioning. If a person's diet is balanced, then he gets everything he needs from the products that he uses.

With a shortage, it is quite possible to change the situation for the better by taking multivitamins, since there are a lot of them in pharmacies. Then the question arises: dietary supplements - what is it?

Such additives are obtained by drawing from various organic and inorganic complexes. This process is quite long and complex, which requires manufacturers to comply with all production technologies. Since private companies are more often engaged in this, it is sometimes not at all profitable for them to follow all the rules.

Because of this, there are situations when poorly purified substances get into the tablet or they are not there at all. For full assimilation, it is necessary to observe the combination of components with each other, and this is often not done. As a result, most doctors are confident that dietary supplements are practically useless for the body, it is quite possible to live without them.

It's good if, instead of a useful tablet, ordinary chalk or a neutral substance turns out to be in the package, but there are cases when even combinations that are dangerous to health come across. Think about it after that, dietary supplement - what is it, benefit or harm to the body.

The composition of the dietary supplement

All supplements contain various food components, biologically active substances. Among them are the following:

• Proteins.
• Fats and fatty substances.
• Vegetable oils.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• Triglycerides.
• Carbohydrates.
• Vitamins and trace elements.
• Plant-derived enzymes.
• Probiotics.
• Beekeeping products and many others.

Despite the fact that dietary supplements can be purchased at any pharmacy completely free, without a doctor's prescription, but it is worth considering before using them. It is better to consult a doctor to weigh the pros and cons, calculate the dosage and the need for use.

Classification of dietary supplements

Since they are most often prescribed for medicinal purposes, their classification is based on this use. There are two classes of dietary supplements:

1. Nutraceuticals.
2. Parapharmaceuticals.

The first group of drugs is designed to eliminate nutritional deficiencies. It includes all synthetic vitamin preparations, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids. Taking them, you can normalize the diet of both adults and children.

Parapharmaceuticals, or they are also called bioregulators, affect the body differently. They affect the functioning of organs, increase the body's resistance to various adverse factors of the external and internal environment.

Bioregulators act more powerfully and purposefully. They are usually prescribed for the prevention of various diseases. But very often it is quite difficult to separate these two classes from each other, since the same drugs can belong to two groups at once.

Historical reference

Traditional medicine has always played an important role in the search for remedies and methods of treatment for various diseases. At the dawn of human existence, this was a common need, since official medicine did not have such a development.

Almost until the middle of the 19th century, medicine relied on the experience and knowledge of folk recipes that had accumulated over the centuries. Information was collected, recorded by famous scientists of antiquity, for example, Hippocrates, Avicenna, Galen and many others.

Despite the widespread use of plant objects for treatment, with the development of the chemical industry, they learned to isolate active substances and, on their basis, to produce medicines. Gradually, they began to supplant folk recipes. Currently, we continue to observe this process, with a huge number of new drugs being synthesized every year.

It was assumed that it will gradually practically cease to be used, but it turns out the opposite. Modern synthetic drugs, as a result of their use, give a large number of side effects.

Again, more and more often, we are trying to get rid of our sores with folk remedies in order to harm our body less. Medicine did not wait long and decided to use it. This is how a new generation of medicine appeared - dietary supplements. What is it, briefly if, then it is the official successor of traditional medicine, only in a slightly different guise.

There are many supporters of the fact that it is biologically active additives that can finally cure a person, and not traditional medicine.

Despite the fact that they have not figured it out yet, dietary supplements are good or bad, but in medicine they usually recommend using them in the following cases:

1. To quickly fill the deficiency of missing substances, for example, vitamins, microelements.
2. To reduce the calorie content of the diet in order to reduce body weight.
3. To meet the needs of a sick body in certain substances.
4. To increase resistance to adverse environmental factors.
5. For preventive purposes to prevent metabolic disorders.
6. In order to change metabolism, for example, to accelerate the elimination of toxic substances.
7. To restore immunity.
8. To normalize the intestinal microflora.
9. To regulate the functioning of the body.
10. Many dietary supplements are excellent antioxidants.

Based on this, we can conclude that biological supplements can be prescribed to almost every person, the reason and justification for taking it can always be found.

The principles of using dietary supplements

The use of supplements is based on some principles:

• The principle of functionality and consistency. That is, the impact should be complex, since the work of organs in the body is directly related to nutrition.
• The principle of stages. At different stages of the disease, it is advisable to select different supplements. For example, in the early stages, it is necessary to urgently eliminate the symptoms of the disease, and at the end of treatment, eliminate the toxic effect of taking medications.
• The principle of adequacy. It is necessary to prescribe dietary supplements, given the nature of the disease, the peculiarities of its course.
• Syndromic principle. Biological supplements should be prescribed taking into account those symptoms that are pronounced.
• Optimality principle. When treating or preventing diseases, the dosage must be selected individually.
• Combination principle. Supplements can be combined with food and other medications.

Analyzing all the principles, we can say about dietary supplements that this is a substance that must be used in combination with other therapy during illness. It is impossible to heal with additives alone.

Despite the fact that supplements are not a drug, there are some rules for taking them.

1. Reception must be started with a small dosage in order to see the body's reaction, and then it can be brought up to the one recommended by the doctor.
2. For better absorption, dietary supplements are best taken with food.
3. If the dietary supplement contains calcium, then it is better to use it half an hour before meals or after, so as not to affect the acidity of gastric juice.
4. If a dietary supplement is prescribed as it is, it is advisable to take it in the first half of the day, so as not to disturb the night sleep.
5. Dietary supplements containing live microorganisms must be stored in the refrigerator and used between meals.
6. Do not take a dose more than the doctor prescribed or the one recommended on the package.
7. You cannot take several types of dietary supplements at the same time.
8. Biological additives are stored in a dark and dry place. Not in the refrigerator, unless otherwise specified in the storage instructions.

We considered the question: "Nutritional supplements - what is it and how to use it?" Now it is necessary to study the pitfalls of taking such drugs.

Danger and harm of dietary supplements

It is already known that dietary supplements are produced in a complex technological way, a whole orange can be contained in one tablet, but its cost will be several times more expensive than fresh fruit. Trying to help their body, some people use supplements in large dosages, but all the excess is still excreted, which means that our money is flowing down the toilet.

Here are just some of the dangers that lie in wait when using dietary supplements:

The benefits of dietary supplements

You cannot take dietary supplements as a medicine, it is a common food supplement. Although the use with natural ingredients that our body needs can be beneficial. Considering this, it can be noted that dietary supplements can prevent the development of many diseases or provide assistance in their complex treatment.

• For the prevention of certain diseases.
• Replenishment of the level of vitamins, minerals.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• In the complex treatment of chronic diseases.

Differences between dietary supplements and drugs

If you ask a pharmacist: "Supplements, what does this mean?", Then, most likely, he will answer you that these are substances of plant and animal origin, that is, completely natural. Some of the features of supplements that distinguish them from drugs include:

• The active substance is contained in small doses.
• A softer effect on the body.
• Non-toxic.
• The body tolerates them more easily.
• Very rarely cause complications or side effects.
• They can relieve the toxic effects of drugs.
• Does not accumulate in the body.

After studying this information, you already doubt that dietary supplements are harmful.

You should not believe everything that is shown and advertised on television, each organism is different, the reaction to taking dietary supplements can be unpredictable. Take care of your health, lead a healthy lifestyle, and then you will definitely not need biological supplements.