Truth and problems of using conventional supplements

We are always looking for medications of the best quality so we can recover and control illnesses. We always visit the same family doctor because we want to find the person who can really help us. We are always purchasing food from trusted places as we want to make sure we are healthy. Are you doing the same for your supplements? Do you know if are you using the best supplements and are they appropriate, safe and effective? 

Supplements are always straightforward. Most of them are in the form of a plain tablet or capsule and nothing else. Have you ever questioned the efficacy of supplements? Are all supplements compatible and can easily absorbed? Not until recent years has there been increasing variety in supplements, such as powdered, effervescent tablets, liquid capsules, etc. Apart from differences in dosage forms, what about technology of the tablets? What are the problems of supplements? 

Biological concerns

When supplements enter the body, they can be affected by various factors that influence their efficacy. There are a lot of barriers and obstacles for supplements to travel to where it needs to be.

• Gastric Acid: The acid in our stomach can alter the breakdown and absorption of tablets. This results in loss of efficacy as the supplements are not meant to be absorbed in the stomach, and the ingredients might not survive in our stomach. 

• Enzymatic activity: Enzymes in the digestive tract are necessary for breaking down supplements, otherwise our body could not absorb the ingredients inside as most supplements are bulked up with excipients. Enzymes are tiny “pac-mans” in our body that help to break down supplements for absorption. 

• Hepatic first pass effect: Substances are absorbed by the digestive system and enter the portal vein to reach the liver, where it is metabolized, resulting in a reduced concentration of the active ingredient by the time it reaches systemic circulation. 

• Interactions: Supplements may interact with food, medications and other nutrients, altering their effectiveness and causing side effects. 

• Age and health status: Our ability to absorb nutrients diminish as we age. Concurrent illnesses especially related to the gastrointestinal tract can severely affect supplement efficacy. 

• Gut microbiota: Imbalances in the composition of gut bacteria can influence the breakdown and utilization of supplements. 

Other problems 

• Time of Intake: The time of day and whether supplements are taken with food can affect absorption and side effect profiles. 

• Lifestyle Factors: Diet, exercise, and habits like smoking or alcohol consumption can impact supplement efficacy. 

• Ingredients characteristics: The stomach lining is lipophilic and can be difficult for hydrophilic ingredients to pass through. Vitamin B and glutathione are some examples of hydrophilic ingredients. 

• Recognition: Is the brand you using recognized and endorsed by professionals? Is the company trustworthy and provides all the information you need to make an informed choice? 

• Safety and efficacy data: Did the company provide any scientific data and efficacy proof? Is it safe to use? 

Conclusion 

You should always consider the effectiveness and efficacy of supplements. Supplements and health foods are not regulated as strictly as medications, hence the quality of the products are often very diverse. Proper supplementation and choosing the right supplement, when aligned with one’s health requirements, can support overall well-being and manage certain health conditions effectively.