If you're new to the world of functional foods and dietary supplements, you might be thinking, "All foods have a function, don't they? They provide nutrition and keep you from being hungry, what more are they supposed to do?" Well, there's a little more to it than that.
The term "functional foods" was first introduced in Japan in the mid-80's to refer to foods that are eaten for a particular health benefit. For example, if you eat blueberries simply because you like its taste or because you are hungry, then it is a food. However, if you try to strengthen your eye sight by having blueberries, they become a "functional food".
In this regard, another popular term is "natruceutical", which refers to ingredients extracted from ordinary food and sold as health supplements. In many cases, there is no clear line between this term and "dietary supplements". For instance, both can be applied to blueberry or bilberry pills which are sold as vision support supplements.
Examples of Popular Functional Foods
The most common types of foods described as functional are vegetables and fruits eaten for the various vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they contain, and whole grains eaten as source of soluble fiber. Fish are often eaten for the omega-3 fatty acids they contain and many people also drink wine specifically for its beneficial effects on the circulatory system. Although berries are packed with vital nutrients, they're often overlooked as a functional food simply because they taste good. It's easy to forget they're a "health food."
Deciding on dietary supplements
When it comes to food, decisions are fairly easy to make. You've got to eat something, so why not choose the most nutritious foods you can, provided they're at least palatable? With dietary supplements, though, the choice isn't so easy. Advertising claims sound great, but many physicians warn against the dangers of overdosing, mixing supplements, or taking them along with prescription medications.
If you eat a healthy well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes (along with dairy, fish, and lean meats, if you choose), you probably don't need dietary supplements. Unfortunately, few of us can eat perfectly all the time. Consider dietary supplements if you know you won't be able to eat well for a while, if you have extra nutritional needs such as during pregnancy or breast-feeding, or you have a medical condition that impairs your digestion. Vegans may also want to look into dietary supplements.
Some dietary supplement can render powerful effects just as those prescribed medications, but they may also come with side-effects. Therefore, before you make your choice, try to find out as much information as possible about this particular product. What ingredients does it contain? Are there any side-effects or warnings as indicated by the manufacturers? Any negative users' reviews? Finally, it is always worthwhile having a talk with your doctor and follow his recommendation.
Combining functional foods with dietary supplements will grant you a huge advantage in meeting your body's nutritional needs. However, don't simply buy just anything from the supermarket without a bit planning and researching.
The term "functional foods" was first introduced in Japan in the mid-80's to refer to foods that are eaten for a particular health benefit. For example, if you eat blueberries simply because you like its taste or because you are hungry, then it is a food. However, if you try to strengthen your eye sight by having blueberries, they become a "functional food".
In this regard, another popular term is "natruceutical", which refers to ingredients extracted from ordinary food and sold as health supplements. In many cases, there is no clear line between this term and "dietary supplements". For instance, both can be applied to blueberry or bilberry pills which are sold as vision support supplements.
Examples of Popular Functional Foods
The most common types of foods described as functional are vegetables and fruits eaten for the various vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they contain, and whole grains eaten as source of soluble fiber. Fish are often eaten for the omega-3 fatty acids they contain and many people also drink wine specifically for its beneficial effects on the circulatory system. Although berries are packed with vital nutrients, they're often overlooked as a functional food simply because they taste good. It's easy to forget they're a "health food."
Deciding on dietary supplements
When it comes to food, decisions are fairly easy to make. You've got to eat something, so why not choose the most nutritious foods you can, provided they're at least palatable? With dietary supplements, though, the choice isn't so easy. Advertising claims sound great, but many physicians warn against the dangers of overdosing, mixing supplements, or taking them along with prescription medications.
If you eat a healthy well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes (along with dairy, fish, and lean meats, if you choose), you probably don't need dietary supplements. Unfortunately, few of us can eat perfectly all the time. Consider dietary supplements if you know you won't be able to eat well for a while, if you have extra nutritional needs such as during pregnancy or breast-feeding, or you have a medical condition that impairs your digestion. Vegans may also want to look into dietary supplements.
Some dietary supplement can render powerful effects just as those prescribed medications, but they may also come with side-effects. Therefore, before you make your choice, try to find out as much information as possible about this particular product. What ingredients does it contain? Are there any side-effects or warnings as indicated by the manufacturers? Any negative users' reviews? Finally, it is always worthwhile having a talk with your doctor and follow his recommendation.
Combining functional foods with dietary supplements will grant you a huge advantage in meeting your body's nutritional needs. However, don't simply buy just anything from the supermarket without a bit planning and researching.
About the Author:
If you follow a weight loss plan that fills your day with eating the healthy foods (not all salads and fruit either!) then you will never feel hungry enough to have snacks from time to time. Check out our review of a fast weight loss diet that exactly delivers that. You may also like to check out this related article about model's dieting tips.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=57c13a86-ea7b-4d21-9097-8b08820d02ae)
No comments:
Post a Comment