More and more people are adding supplements to their diets. In 2018, a survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and research firm Ipsos showed that supplement use among US adults had jumped from 65% in 2009 to 75%.
So why are health-conscious folks turning to products like multi-vitamins, nootropics, and testosterone boosters? Let’s explore some reasons:
Food Nutrition
You might fill your shopping cart with fresh fruits and vegetables, but are they as nutritious as they look? Long-term studies suggest otherwise. A combined study found that over the last 50 years, the vitamin and mineral content in fresh produce has significantly decreased. Nutrients like protein, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, iron, and vitamin C have seen declines, likely due to soil degradation, farming methods, and the use of fertilizers. So, even if you think you’re eating healthily, you might not be getting all the nutrients you need.
Lifestyle
Busy schedules, illness, aging, and stress can make it hard to stick to a healthy diet. Long work hours can lead to relying on convenience foods, which are often low in nutrients and high in preservatives and salt. If your diet includes a lot of these foods, supplements can help fill the nutritional gaps.
Diet Plans
Certain diets, like vegetarian or ketogenic ones, may lack essential nutrients. For example, a vegetarian diet might miss out on zinc, iron, vitamin B12, and calcium. Regulated dosages of supplements can help cover these nutritional shortfalls. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006, 44% of people who didn’t take multivitamins were at risk of nutritional deficiencies, compared to just 16% of those who did.
Safety with Supplement Stacking
When using supplements, it’s common for people to combine products from different brands. However, this can lead to overlapping ingredients, which can be risky. Supplement manufacturers typically don’t offer advice on mixing their products with others, so you need to be mindful of this yourself. Always read labels and watch for ingredient overlaps that could push you over the safe limit.
For instance, vitamin D3 and zinc are commonly found in both testosterone boosters and multivitamins. When stacking supplements, understand the limits and, if concerned, take slightly less than the recommended dose. Always research the products and their ingredients, and err on the side of caution.