The human body is designed to manufacture or extract what it needs to function optimally, given an adequate supply of nutrients to source from. 

As we age, however, the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients may be compromised, necessitating additional sources for some of the vital fats, vitamins, proteins and minerals.  Poor diet over the long term or an accumulation of bad habits can create problems.  For example, a deficiency of B complex vitamins might be caused or exacerbated by smoking and drinking. 

Certain medical conditions, too, may result from nutritional deficiency (anemia from lack of iron, bone disorders from lack of calcium/Vitamin D) or may contribute to creating a deficiency (Crohn’s disease causing malabsorption of B12 in the small intestine).  The use of supplements is intended to address possible inadequacies by restoring a balance of nutrients and providing an additional supply where efficient utilization is in question.

It is possible to overdose on some supplements, however.  Excessive amounts of water soluble vitamins, for example, are eliminated from the body but those soluble in fat are stored in tissues and organs, creating the possibility for toxic build-up.  It is recommended that consumers research the effects of any products they are considering and learn what supplements are appropriate.  Calling a product “natural” or “organic” doesn’t mean it is harmless.  Websites like http://www.1stholistic.com/nutrition/hol_nutr-toxic-dosages.htm may be of use.

A certain amount of controversy has arisen over the use of “enriched” and “fortified” foods in recent years in terms of their effectiveness in providing essential nutrients.  Technically, “enriched foods” are those where vitamins or minerals lost during the refining process are replaced in the end product, and “fortified” foods have more nutrients added after refining than they contained at the beginning.  Processing, however, destroys nutrients and what is added is not necessarily equivalent to what was lost.  Choosing to take a supplement is likely a better option for balanced nutrition so you will   understand exactly what it contains and how much of it you need.

Whole foods are the preferred source of sustenance for the body, as they contain micronutrients that the body cannot manufacture, and symbiotic combinations of nutrients to maximize digestion and absorption.  For example, Vitamin D is said to enhance calcium absorption, Vitamin C to increase iron absorption.  Additional benefits accrue from the presence of dietary fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants in whole foods. 

Supplements cannot replicate these complex combinations and interactions; they focus primarily on isolating single ingredients from the original source.  This is why a balanced whole foods diet is the single most important element in maintaining optimal health. 

That said, supplements can help to ensure that the body has all the ingredients it needs for peak performance when we are unable to eat as well as we should.  Busy lives, processed/fast foods, stress and environmental toxins all take their toll and leave us prone to deficiencies in certain areas.  Supplements may supply these deficits, allowing us to cope and feel better.  The key is to use these products, as the name suggests, to supplement our best efforts at healthy diets and lifestyles.