Advice on supplements is mushrooming, so we all rush to the local drugstore and stock up on all kinds of jars. Because, there's no harm in trying, right? In this blog, we explain why it's so important to use supplements correctly and why dietary supplements can be dangerous if you take everything without guidance.
Dietary supplements dangerous, a supplement overdose is lurking
We are increasingly warned in the media about taking supplements, and for good reason. If you don't know what you're taking and therefore regularly consume excessively high dosages or incorrect combinations, supplements can do more harm than good for your health.
For example, too high a dose of vitamin B6 can damage your nervous system, which is one of the reasons why at Charlotte Labee Supplements we choose an active form of B6. For adaptogenic herbs, the advice is to take a break month after 3 months. And some supplements do not combine well with medication. These are just three reasons why we advise against experimenting with supplements yourself.
That does not mean, however, that nutrients are not essential. They are, for everyone. There just isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.
The importance of dietary supplements
For millions of years, nature has given us everything we need to survive and thrive. In those days, supplements were not necessary to achieve optimal health. But unfortunately, we no longer live in that world; so much has changed! From the way we produce food to how we deal with stress.
Therefore, we see in practice that many people benefit from supplementation. Due to our current lifestyle, a nutrient deficiency can unknowingly develop, the consequences of which you only notice later or attribute to other causes.
7 reasons why supplements are important
1. Processed food provides fewer nutrients
Of all the food we buy in the supermarket, 90 percent is industrially processed to produce it as cheaply, quickly, and massively as possible. This processing damages the natural nutrients in products, and chemical substances are added that are harmful to us. These chemical nutrients are harder to digest, which costs more energy. And that's while we're getting fewer nutrients! This rapidly promotes nutrient deficiencies.
2. Agricultural methods deplete the soil
In agriculture, the goal is also to make as much money as possible, and thus to produce as cheaply, quickly, and extensively as possible. Agricultural methods are optimized to achieve this goal, but this also brings unwanted consequences. For example, much agricultural land is depleted, which means that crops contain fewer nutrients.
A Swiss study compared the difference in nutrients between certain fruits and vegetables between 1985 and 2002. It showed that in less than twenty years, broccoli contained 55 percent less magnesium, spinach 76 percent less calcium, and apples 60 percent less vitamin C! Even a healthy diet doesn't tell the whole story then.
3. Food is produced less locally
Due to mass production, our food comes from increasingly further away, which also means it is much less fresh by the time it reaches your plate. Every day that passes after harvest, fruits and vegetables lose some of their nutritional value. Local food that comes fresh from the land therefore contains significantly more nutrients.
4. We spend less time in the sun
Primitive humans were always outdoors and therefore received an optimal amount of daylight. Nowadays, many of us work indoors, and in winter, we leave home in the dark and return home in the dark. If we do go outside, we bundle up or apply sunscreen. All of this means we barely absorb any vitamin D, even though sunlight is its most important source. It is therefore wise to eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin D, or to supplement this nutrient.
5. Free radicals in our environment are increasing
Free radicals are harmful substances in our environment. You find them everywhere. For example, in processed foods, (cigarette) smoke, cosmetics, air pollution, and heavy metals. If the amount of free radicals in your body cells becomes too high, it can be harmful. Your body must therefore eliminate these radicals and uses many nutrients for this purpose that you also need for other important brain and body processes. So you need extra of these nutrients to avoid building up deficiencies.
6. Low-grade inflammation consumes many nutrients
Many people today suffer from chronic or low-grade inflammation. These are not dangerous inflammations, but your immune system perceives them as such and is therefore constantly working. This can cause you to be continuously tired. Your immune system uses extra energy and nutrients to try to get rid of the inflammation in vain. This can also lead to a deficiency of nutrients in the body, which can be supplemented with supplements.
Do you suspect you are suffering from low-grade inflammation? Then it is advisable to find out and address the cause. Could you use some help with this? The therapists at Charlotte Labee Supplements are happy to assist you.
7. Poor digestion due to stress leads to reduced absorption
Eating healthy does not guarantee that your body will absorb all nutrients properly. Our digestion is responsible for this, and it doesn't function optimally for everyone. In a normal situation, the enteric nervous system in your intestines releases enzymes that aid in food digestion. Stress disrupts this function, causing your body to absorb nutrients less effectively. In that case, you need extra nutrients to get enough, but it is also advisable to address the root cause of your digestive issues!
Conclusion
Are dietary supplements dangerous? Only if you don't use them correctly. It is therefore essential to be well-informed and advised, so you always know that you are using the right supplements, dosages, and combinations. So, feel free to request advice, so one of our therapists can look at your specific situation and you can optimally benefit from the advantages of supplements!
