Supplements vs. Healthy Diets: Which Is Better for You?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 54% of adults in the U.S. take some form of supplement regularly. These people often believe that it can make up for a poor diet. However, studies show that people who rely more on supplements may still not be getting the benefits they expect.
However, there are certain conditions like PCOS where the use of supplements such as PCOS multivitamin gummies provides you with essential nutrients needed for promoting good health. When it comes to staying healthy, the debate between relying on supplements and sticking to a healthy diet has been raging for some time.
But which one truly holds the key to better health? Let’s examine these two sources of nutrients and see which is best for you!
Supplements vs. Healthy Diets – What’s the Difference?
At the most basic level, the difference between supplements and a healthy diet lies in how we get our nutrients. Supplements are pills, powders, or liquids that contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in concentrated forms. A healthy diet, on the other hand, is all about eating a variety of foods—fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins—that provide those nutrients naturally.
How They Work in Your Body
Be it nutrients from food sources or dietary supplements, they work in your body in different ways. This includes both their metabolism and how the body cells access them.
- Healthy Diets
When you eat a balanced diet full of whole foods, your body gets a variety of nutrients that work together like a well-coordinated team. For example, when you eat an orange, you’re not just getting vitamin C. You’re also getting fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds that enhance the absorption and effectiveness of that vitamin C.
When you eat, your body starts breaking down all your food into its component nutrients, which are then transported by the bloodstream to where they’re needed. This process is efficient because the body recognizes these nutrients in their natural form and knows exactly how to use them.
- Supplements
Supplements, on the other hand, are like giving your body a shortcut. You get nutrients in their concentrated form. It can be helpful if you’re deficient in a particular nutrient. However, your body might not absorb these nutrients as efficiently because they’re not in the natural package they usually come in.
For example, calcium is absorbed better when taken with vitamin D, which you naturally get from foods like salmon or through sunlight. If you take a calcium supplement without vitamin D, your body might not make the best use of that calcium, and it could even go to waste.
So, Which Is Better?
Healthy diets win! While supplements can be useful, especially if you have a specific deficiency or health condition, they shouldn’t replace a healthy diet. The body is designed to get nutrients from food, and the complex interactions between different nutrients in whole foods can’t be replicated in a pill.
That said, supplements do have their place. If you’re vegetarian, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions, supplements might be necessary to ensure you’re getting enough of certain nutrients like B12, iron, or folic acid. In this case, they should play a complementary role rather than replace a healthy diet.
Final Thoughts
So, should you be popping pills or filling your plate with a rainbow of foods? The answer is clear: prioritize a healthy diet rich in whole foods, and use supplements only when necessary. A healthy diet is more than the individual nutrients. It’s about the synergy of all the compounds working together to support your overall well-being.
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