The Body Absorbs Nutrients From Food, Not So Much From Supplements

What is important to know about supplements?
There are two types of supplements. One is supplements that contain vitamins and minerals. It is believed that we can take these supplements to a normal diet to add substances that we do not have enough with food. The other type are technological additives. They improve the taste, color, smell, texture. These are the E's that are used in supplements.


Supplements are often abused. It is important for people to know that they are not a cure. Taking one tablet a day does not mean that you are taking the necessary vitamin C, D, magnesium or iron, etc. Therefore, all food supplements in this group, the European Union, as well as our legislation, requires to be labeled. The inscription that the product does not cure, does not protect against diseases and cannot replace a balanced, healthy and complete diet is also mandatory.
 

To what extent are nutritional supplements absorbed by the body?
In many cases, this cannot be taken into account. There is a big difference from supplements to supplements. The body absorbs the most vitamins and minerals from natural products. However, when they are served in the form of tablets, powders, solutions, their digestibility decreases sharply.

For example, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are absorbed by the body only with the fats contained in the food. If vitamin A or D is included in a water-soluble tablet, they will not be absorbed at all. There is no mechanism to introduce them into the body at the cellular level.

Better companies realized this feature and began to use fat-soluble vitamins in fish oil to ensure digestibility by the body. However, it is low.

The intake of food supplements is appropriate in certain cases - during pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as for adolescents, athletes, people who work in harmful working conditions.
 

Who is the best thing to turn to to choose the right supplements for us? It is advisable to consult a personal physician first. The GP knows well the health condition of his patient, respectively the family, he is familiar with the family diseases. This is important to know because some supplements can be harmful if the patient has a chronic illness, for example. The advice of pharmacists also has a role, they are well informed and at the same time trained not to suggest to people that food supplements solve their health problems.

 

What do you think is the main reason for the incomplete and unhealthy diet of Bulgarians? Is it due to habits and culture, financial difficulties ...
Habits and culture come first. One cannot justify oneself for financial and economic reasons. Healthy eating does not require much money. Indeed, food of animal origin is more expensive. But milk and dairy products are relatively inexpensive protein, which is the best protein.


The issue is really about habits. It is true that statistics show that with the reduced purchasing power of Bulgarians decreases the ability to afford a variety of foods, and reduces the consumption of more expensive products, which on the other hand are very important, such as fish, seafood. If a person manages to change his habits in a healthy direction, he will be able to direct his resources to the choice of healthy foods.


If I have to summarize what has been said so far, I would advise people: eat well, choose food, eat it 4-5 times a day and move more!