Care With Supplements – How Much is Too Much?

In recent years there has been a massive boom in the sales of dietary supplements. It is certainly to be welcomed that an ever increasing number of people are deciding to be more pro-active about achieving and maintaining good health, rather than waiting for illness to strike before taking action. Of course, the media have been quick to capitalize on this trend, and we are deluged with articles about the benefits of one or other supplement. Clever marketing adds to the overwhelming volume of information available to the public, but unfortunately it has become increasingly difficult to know which information can be trusted.

There is no shortage of scientific data confirming the value of many of these items, or of the health conditions which can result from deficiencies. Vitamin C and zinc, for example, have long been known to be vital nutrients for the immune system, and there have recently been many scientific studies confirming the important role that vitamin D plays in immunity. Omega 3 has received a lot of recognition for its benefits to brain, skin and circulatory health. Each vitamin, mineral or other type of food supplement has acquired a reputation for helping to fulfil a specific function, but how can we know whether we really need to supplement these items? Many are in fact very powerful and if taken in excess can be toxic. Ideally, we should get all our essential nutrients from a healthy diet, where they are present in a balanced form rather than taking them as isolated items. Certainly, the benefits of a healthy diet cannot possibly be replicated by a cocktail of supplements.

Ayurvedic medicine does make use of a wide range of supplements, but it does not generalise about which supplement should be used for which purpose. In the case of minerals special processes are employed in their preparation to aid in their bio-availability, depending entirely on the symptoms of the individual. For example, chromium and selenium are often nowadays recommended by western nutritionists for prevention of diabetes or cancer, but these minerals can be very potent and if the body becomes saturated with either an adverse effect can easily be created. Ayurvedic treatment therefore pays close attention to employing the right amounts of each item in the right situation, preparing the required nutrients in a variety of different ways according to the symptoms, so as to avoid upsetting the immune system.

Browsing the shelves of a healthfood store or any online catalogue of health supplements and you will find hundreds of items in different strengths and formulations. How can you possibly be sure which would be best for your purpose, or in fact whether you need it at all ? At best, you could just be wasting your money or at worst you could actually be overloading your system. There is no substitute for qualified advice. Whether you are interested in addressing a chronic health problem or simply in prevention or greater longevity, we are here to help you. Please call the YATAN Holistic Ayurvedic Centre on 1300 552 260.