Dietary supplement or food supplement. It covers a variety of health products that contain one or more substances that have character of nutrients or drugs. Nutrients contained in food supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids (protein-building elements). Supplements are generally medicine from plants or animal tissues that possess medicinal properties.

Humans have hundreds of years involving supplements to help improve or health care. Now, food supplements have been sold freely in health food stores, pharmacies and even in retail stores. Even now, several types of supplements used as medications in the method of treatment of certain diseases.

Dietary supplement is a companion or an addition to diet, nutrition and is not a substitute food. Generally, the form of them of vitamins (eg vitamin C) and minerals, botanical (herbal medicine and products such as plants), and substances derived from sources of natural resources (eg glucosamine). Form of dietary supplements can be a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, softgel, or liquid.

Recognized dietary supplements can enhance or contribute to maintaining health and even heal. Meanwhile, those who consume it’s for several health conditions. Consumption of a multi-vitamins and multi-minerals are useful as health care, such as vitamin C, believed to be able to prevent and relieve fever. Some research on natural supplements products from plants and animals show the same efficacy with conventional medicines.

Since ancient times, humans have used of traditional medicines to prevent disease, cure infection, reduce fever and heals wounds. Natural medicines from plants are also able to prevent constipation, relieve pain, relieve stress or as a stimulant.

Overall, health experts claim that they are safe for consumption. Certainly with reason and substance use natural ingredients in dietary supplements are safe. Although they proven to be safe and efficacious, but curing usage You should consult with a certified expert.

Initially use of dietary supplements is limited to restore metabolic functions, where the entire process is controlled by the enzyme as a chemical catalyst that makes the body cells to work optimally.

In further developments the use of food supplement no longer limited of vitamins and minerals, certain herbs for refreshing the body more widely used, such as Ginseng as part of the product composition. Along with the concept of Back to Nature, various research was to find so many other important nutritional ingredients can help the healing.

Therefore, the current limit nutritional supplements widened to include nutrients and healing contained in the herbs and other natural ingredients. As mentioned “supplements” we will find products to help optimize your metabolic function primarily to improve the digestive system, immune system, detoxification, treating viral infections, bacterial infections, anti-inflammatory, reduce the effects of inflammation, eliminating toxins and balancing the hormonal and endocrine systems.

Some sources of vitamins and minerals that often we meet daily, among others: carrots, citrus fruits, bean, golden seal, shiitake mushrooms, Panax ginseng, female ginseng, tea tree oil, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, flax seed oil, evening primose oil, fish oil and much more…

Naturopathic Medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. It includes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease using natural therapies. When seeing a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), you will not only learn about health and how it relates to your condition, but you will also be active in determining which treatment options are right for you.

The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply eliminate or suppress symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the ND takes physical, mental, emotional, genetic, social and environmental factors into account when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan. Treatments are individualized according to each patient and based on both traditional therapies and the latest medical knowledge.

The primary naturopathic therapies include:

Clinical Nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. Special diets may be recommended, and treatment may include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutraceuticals.

Traditional Chinese Medicine evaluates the flow and balance of energy in the body and involves the use of both Chinese herbs and acupuncture.

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles on the body’s surface, used to influence physiological functioning of the body. It is based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It strengthens and improves overall functions, enhances immunity and enables you to regain physical and emotional health. Acupuncture produces results by re-establishing balance and ensuring the continuous flow of vital life energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”).

Cosmetic Acupuncture, is a non-surgical face-lift that has been shown to be effective in reducing the signs of aging. Based on the theory of Chinese Medicine, it involves the insertion of very thin, disposable needles into acupuncture points in the face. This superficial insertion will stimulate both blood and energy to the face, which will nourish and moisten the skin. It also increases collagen production, which will fill out the lines and give firmness to the skin producing a healthy, glowing complexion.

Botanical Medicine stems from the theory that plants have powerful healing properties. Many pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in plant substances. Naturopathic physicians use plant substances for their healing effects and nutritional value.

Homeopathic Medicine is based on Law of Similar, “Like Cures Like”, dilute preparations of plant, mineral or animal substances are used to stimulate the body to heal itself.

Physical Medicine involves the treatment of pain, stimulates circulation and promotes healing. Some applications include heat/cold, light, ultraviolet and infrared, electrical pulsation, hydrotherapy, traction, massage and exercise.

Lifestyle Counseling identifies lifestyle, diet and environmental risk factors. Naturopathic Doctors make recommendations to optimize the physical, mental and emotional environment of the individual.

Diseases that are commonly treated with Naturopathic Medicine include:

Chronic Conditions

-High blood pressure, atherosclerosis and heart disease
-Heart burn, constipation and inflammatory bowel diseases
-Acne, psoriasis and eczema
-Allergies
-Insomnia, depression and anxiety
-Prostatitis and cystitis
-Menopausal problems
-PMS and menstrual disorders
-Infertility, fibroids and endometriosis
-Attention deficit disorder
-Migraines
-Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
-Diabetes
-Thyroid conditions
-Low energy
-Weight management
-Muscle, joint and bone problems

and

Acute Conditions

-Colds and flu
-Headaches
-Ear infections

Naturopathic Medicine is often referred to as complimentary medicine since it is meant to compliment traditional medical practices. It is still important to visit your regular MD for annual appointments and other problems that arise. However, next time you have a nagging problem that just won’t go away, give your local licensed Naturopathic Doctor a try and heal yourself - naturally.

Do you take pills or vitamins on a regular basis Or do you take an aspirin once in a while Either way, one thing we should all understand is that when not taken properly, pills can cause unnecessary and unwanted discomfort. A pill is defined as a small ball, tablet, capsule, etc., of medicine to be swallowed whole.

Proper intake of pills will optimize the desired effect. Tablets are usually referred to as pills. Mostly, pills are medicinal or a dietary preparation and made in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole. Prior to the use of machine-compressed tablets, pills were very popular products.

Pills should be taken standing up and we should continue standing for at least two minutes. Swallow them with at least a half cup of water. Continue standing so as to give the pills a chance to move along swiftly and keep them from staying in your esophagus where they can disintegrate and cause nausea or heartburn.

Stephen H. Paul, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical economics and health care delivery at Temple University’s School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia reports that multivitamins and fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E should be taken with the largest meal of the day. That is when the most fat is present in the stomach to aid in the absorption of the vitamins.

Vitamins C and B-complex are water-soluble and should be taken while eating a meal or a half-hour before the meal. Vitamins help start the biochemical process that breaks down food, and makes it available to use in the form of energy and for tissue building. If you take large doses of vitamin C, take it in small amounts throughout the day. This way, your body will use more of it that way, and you will help prevent urinary-track irritation.

A word of caution to all, never ever take large or mega doses of any vitamins, minerals or herbs unless you do it under the direction and supervision of your physician or health professional. It is important for us to remember that in order to get the maximum benefit of our pills, vitamins and medications, we should take them as recommended.