Supplements were designed as a great way to give our bodies the essential nutrients that our diets may sometimes fail to account for. But in today's on-the-go society, many pharmaceutical companies are pushing for the greater use of supplements as an everyday alternative to eating healthy. As there is a lot of money to be made here, companies promote the use of supplements to individuals who would rather eat fast-food or other less nutrient-dense meals.
The argument for the use of supplements is that if the supplements contain the same nutrients as the food we're supposed to eat, what makes having a natural diet better than consuming supplements? The answer to this can be a combination of 3 factors. Namely, a natural diet contains many more trace amounts of various nutrients due to the complexity of different foods. Second, natural food contains a lot more fiber to ensure proper digestive system functioning and prevent certain diseases. Third, natural food has many antioxidants and phytochemicals that avoid heart diseases, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
This is not to say that supplements do not play an essential role in ensuring a healthy diet. For people with eating disorders and unique nutritional requirements, the consumption of supplements is a great way to ensure that the body gets the necessary nutrients. Many people must consume calcium supplements as they grow old to maintain proper bone density and avoid the risk of injury. Doctors prescribe a whole bunch of supplements to women before, during, and after pregnancy to make sure that the mother and the child's dietary needs are maintained during the crucial nine months and after delivery.
Supplements play the critical role of "supplementing" our diets. Supplements cannot wholly replace eating a balanced, healthy, and natural food.
