Dietary supplements are products that support human nutrition with specific substances. Legally, they are classed as foods and serve to supplement the normal human diet by having a nutritional or physiological effect. Which substances dietary supplements may contain is regulated by EU Directive 2002/46/EC. In Germany, dietary supplements fall under the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB).
Dietary supplements contain mainly vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants. In dietary supplements these substances are present in concentrated form to support the human body as well as possible. A dietary supplement can contain a single substance or be a highly effective combination of several substances.
Taking them is very simple. They are usually produced as pills, effervescent tablets, capsules, drops or drinkable ampoules that contain a specific dose (for example for one day).
What Types of Dietary Supplements Are There?
The most common dietary supplements are minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants.
Without vitamins, nothing works in the body. Vitamins help us produce energy and are involved in the synthesis of hormones and enzymes and in building blood cells. The vitamins most commonly supplemented are vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and vitamin E.
Minerals are involved in many vital processes in our body. We have to take in minerals from outside because our body cannot produce them itself. A deficiency can lead to metabolic disorders and the development of disease. Dietary supplements contain mainly the minerals magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, molybdenum and selenium.
Amino acids are involved in building our body and are, among other things, “building material for muscles, skin and organs”. They are also involved in the formation of hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters. Dietary supplements mainly use arginine, glutamine or beta-alanine.
Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which arise from harmful influences such as UV radiation, stress or cigarette smoke. Antioxidants include various substances such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B2. The minerals zinc and selenium also have antioxidant effects.
Who Can Benefit from Them?
There are many people for whom taking dietary supplements makes sense. Women planning a pregnancy should ensure a good supply of folic acid before and during pregnancy to help avoid birth defects in their baby. Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an increased nutrient requirement and should therefore take dietary supplements to meet it. There are also special products that supply women during menopause as well as possible with the substances that matter in this phase of life.
People who spend little time outdoors often suffer from a vitamin D deficiency and should take it, as they cannot meet their needs through food. Vegans need vitamin B12, as it occurs exclusively in animal-based foods.
People on strict diets often do not get all the important nutrients either and should turn to dietary supplements. The same applies to competitive athletes, who often have nutrient deficits because of intense training. For many chronic illnesses too, an additional supply of important nutrients can be useful.
There is also the option of taking targeted nutrient combinations to support specific areas of the body. There are combinations for eye health, skin, the musculoskeletal system, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, or for memory and concentration. There are also special active-ingredient combinations for children and for men.
