Question

Reflect and respond to the following questions:

• What are the arguments for and against the use of dietary supplements?  

• Identify three circumstances in which use of supplements is necessary.

• Identify three potential risks from use of dietary supplements.

• Do you take dietary supplements, or believe that you need them? Why or why not?

• Do you regularly consume fortified or enriched foods, such as breakfast cereal? Do you believe these foods benefit your health?  

• Do you drink beverages that have added vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin waters or energy drinks? If you do, why, and how have they affected your health?  

• In your opinion, do the benefits of supplements and/or fortified foods and beverages justify their cost? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Reflect and respond to the following questions:

What are the arguments for and against the use of dietary supplements?  

Dietary supplement are manufactured products which can be taken through the mouth to as a tablet, pill, powders, capsule, or liquid. It has Dietary ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc. It also has ingredients of herbs, and also other ingredients which can help to add nutrients to the diet. There are so many arguments for and against the use of dietary supplements

Arguments for supporting dietary supplements

Most of the supplements company and others mentions that it can help to solve issues in the individuals with nutritional deficiency and it will help to boost the immune system. One of the main arguments supporting the use of this supplement is its use in pregnancy as it satisfies the iron supplement needs of the body. If a sick person is taking less food due to his/her condition, it believes that dietary supplements can help to give essential nutrients to the body. Another supporting statement is that taking supplements such as Vitamin D can help to maintain the health of lactose-intolerant people or those who have difficulty consuming dairy products. One of the main supporting argument is that it can help to maintain the nutritional balance of people who have difficulty/not interested to consume enough vegetables and other essential food items. It can also help people who are restricting their diet intake. Some evidence pointed out that calcium supplements can help to improve the health of bone, and also some supports that vitamin D supplements can help the body to absorb calcium and also Vitamins C and E are antioxidants molecules that can control cell damage

Arguments against dietary supplements

Some arguments state that excessive use of supplements can cause excess amounts of nutrients or metals in the body and can lead to toxicity and it can also inhibit the absorption of other nutrients. Some severe complications are also stated such as the intake of supplements with beta carotene can cause lung cancer in chronic smokers and also some data shows that using of Vitamin A supplement can lead to decreased bone density and fracture in the post menopause stage of women. Some complications of using Vitamin E in the post-operative phase are also noted in some literature.

Identify three circumstances in which use of supplements is necessary?

There is evidence that pointed out the useful effects of certain supplements such as vitamins B, C, and D, calcium, multivitamins, etc. Some circumstances in which supplements are necessary are the following

1. Intake of folic acid supplement is necessary for pregnant women to avoid neural tubal defects in the baby

2. In some patients with certain health conditions or patients who are not able to consume the essential diet , it is necessary to take supplements to satisfy the daily nutritional needs

3. In the case of chronic nutritional deficiency, it is necessary to have supplements.

Identify three potential risks from the use of dietary supplements.

Dietary supplements have some potential risks and side effects. They are the following

1. Dietary supplements can cause severe skin irritation/reactions in people undergoing radiation therapy for malignant conditions and also it can cause drug interactions in patients taking Chemotherapy

2. Excessive consumption of dietary supplement can cause toxicity in the body

3. Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause liver damage and birth defects and also excessive intake of iron supplements can lead to damage to the liver and other organs

Do you take dietary supplements, or believe that you need them? Why or why not?

Iam not taking any forms of dietary supplements.

I don’t believe that I need any dietary supplements. It is because some dietary supplements can help to get sufficient amounts of essential nutrients if you don’t eat good and nutritional foods. But supplements can’t take the place of our healthy nutritious foods that are important to a healthy diet. Iam consuming a healthy diet per day as per my nutritional requirements. So I think, I don’t need an extra supplement to improve my health.