I think I am healthy, why should I consider supplements?

You are probably musing this because of the prolific number of stores promoting such a vast range of vitamins and supplements for pretty much every ailment, deficiency or health condition you can think of! Everyone else seems to have a bottle of vitamins on their shelf right? But are they simply a lazy way to eat and no more than nutrition in a pill? Surely if you eat a balanced and healthy diet, why should you ‘supplement with supplements’?

If you’re generally healthy and eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish, and avoid processed and junk foods, then you are unlikely to need to reach for supplements. And if you are fortunate enough not to suffer from any prolonged minor skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis, or digestive issues such as constipation and inflammation from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), then researching alternative treatments may not be something you have needed to undertake.

There are of course a few exceptions when an otherwise healthy person may require supplements, for instance pregnant women needing folic acid or a woman who experience heavy bleeding during their menstrual period.

Dietary supplements may also be something you consider if you are a vegan or a vegetarian who perhaps eats a limited variety of foods or doesn’t have sufficient protein or two to three servings of fish a week.

I think most people who consider themselves ‘healthy’ will agree that there are times when they don’t eat quite as well, perhaps skip a meal, or are feeling the effects of stress or an illness, which may affect their appetite. At these times, a supplement may be something you take for a period of time. Our supermarket foods can be somewhat mysterious in their actual nutrient value, for eg: the old adage “An apple a day keeps the Dr away” has now been qualified by some to suggest that the apple should be organic, or one should consider two raw apples daily nowadays – skin, core and all!

It is worth noting that supplements, like any other foodstuff, should be taken with due consideration for the ingredients, at the recommended dose and checking expiry dates. Scientists still have much to learn even about common vitamins, and the health effects of even common vitamins are still unclear and need further study. Also, vitamins and supplements should not be considered “harmless” – they may often be provided by Mother Nature but taking more than recommended or combining them with medications can create unwanted effects.

In all things, check that you actually might need something, then check that it is compatible with you in every way. 

The team at Kavalia Power – Sea Buckthorn Australia understands the importance of complete transparency of all our products, which is why we use approved TGA licensed facilities and have our products ARTG listed. We ensure that our customers have all the information they need about our products (our ARTG Record Summaries for our listed products can be viewed online – see our page “Product Guarantee”) so they can decide for themselves and research the most effective product for their health needs.

We are not healthcare or medical professionals and the information contained here is not to be taken as medical advice. It is recommended that you consult you healthcare professional prior to taking any supplements and always read the label, use only as directed, and if symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.