Mathilde Lacombe

Nutritional supplements ensure you get the right nutrients for your body even if they are lacking in your diet. Whether you are missing out on your proteins or need a pre-workout shake, supplements will provide you with a balanced diet. They are available in different forms like tablets, capsules, gummies, powder, liquids, and energy bars, but whether to take them is a billion-dollar question.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines have recommended that individuals, except pregnant women, should take food supplements only if they eliminate a food group from their diet. While supplements are very popular among Australian fitness enthusiasts, most people take them unnecessarily. Here is the ultimate guide on the benefits and risks of taking food supplements in Australia.

Who Needs to Take Food Supplements?

According to a study, most people who take supplements do not need them. They are already getting enough nutrients from their diet. However, some people face difficulty in meeting their dietary nutrient needs and should opt for taking supplements along with their food.

Food supplements are necessary if you are:

• Pregnant or lactating
• Elderly and suffer from malnutrition
• You have Chronic Kidney Disease and your body cannot absorb dietary nutrients properly
• You have a strong want for a specific nutrient, like calcium in osteoporosis
• You are a vegan
• You have a deficiency of a particular nutrient, like Vitamin D

Why Shouldn’t You Use Supplements Randomly?

If you’re taking a balanced diet, opting for supplements can cause harm to your body. For example, too much Vitamin B6 causes nervous breakdowns while taking vitamins A, C, or E supplements can harm foetuses.

Food supplements in Australia can also interfere with other medicines and cause damage to your health. It is always necessary to consult a medical practitioner before popping nutritional supplements.

What Supplements are Available in Australia?

Supplements in Australia are varied in availability and resolve your nutrient requirements as necessary.

• Calcium and Vitamin D reduce bone loss and make your bones stronger.
• Folic acid is necessary for pregnant women to decrease the risk of certain birth abnormalities.
• Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA help combat heart disease.
• Fish oils have DHA that protects your brain health.
• Probiotics help keep your digestive system functioning.
• Magnesium maintains nerves and muscles and supports a healthy immune system.
• Multivitamins protect your overall physiology and keep you immune from diseases.
• Amino acids, proteins, and fat burners are mostly taken as sports nutritional supplements to increase your muscle activity.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin safeguard you from osteoarthritis.
• Echinacea treats colds and other respiratory complications.
• John’s wort is a flowering plant extract used extensively in Australia to treat depression.

Look Before You Leap

It is always recommended to choose your dietary supplements on a doctor’s advice. There are several government regulations and guidelines to educate you about the benefits and risks of supplementation.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide comprehensive do’s and don’ts regarding your food habits. They educate you through up-to-date information about the amount and kind of food you should eat based on scientific evidence and thorough research.

The dietary supplement nutrient database was developed using updated data from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It allows you to access a list of recognized supplements and their benefits before choosing one.

Key Takeaway

Nutrient supplements are effective when taken on a doctor’s recommendation. Unnecessary consumption of supplements may, in turn, cause harm to your health. It is always advised to take a balanced diet and eliminate the need for supplementation.

Author bio:

Steffy Alen is a copywriter and content strategist. She helps businesses stop playing around with content marketing and start seeing the tangible ROI. She loves writing as much as she loves the cake.