Nutritional supplements

Dietary or nutritional supplements are typically designed to compensate for insufficient or reduced levels of nutrients in the modern human diet. Malnutrition and unbalanced nutrition are the reason for numerous disorders, for example gastric disorders and in particular carcinomas of the colon. Nutrition is a critical determinant of immunological competence and of the individual's ability to resist infection and physiological stresses. The use of dietary supplements for alleviating specific symptoms associated with particular human health problems is well known. Going back to ancient times, references are made to various dietary foods, herbs, and other naturally produced substances that are associated with improving the human health condition. Vitamins are organic substances that are essential in humans for growth and homeostasis. Vitamin supplements are essential nutrients found in very small quantities in the body. A balanced diet includes several types of nutritional compounds, including carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are nutritional compounds that are present in a wide array of foodstuffs. Recent suggestions indicate that a disproportionate level of carbohydrates in the diet, however, may contribute to obesity. As a result, several types of low-carb and no-carbohydrate foods and diets have been developed. Minerals are an essential part of the human diet. Among other uses, calcium supplements are beneficial for the building and protection of bones and teeth, for the prevention and possibly the treatment of osteoporosis, and for use as cofactors to a number of essential enzymes such as those involved in the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Magnesium is an essential cofactor to many of the body's enzymatic reactions. Potassium is involved in basic cell metabolism and is used in high levels as a prescription for heart patients. Intake of potassium and magnesium has been found to reduce the risk of stroke. Zinc is also an essential mineral. Research is ongoing on the effects of specific minerals and mineral combinations on health. High fiber products are generally considered to be healthful foods and food ingredients. Foods high in water insoluble fiber are known to improve regularity and bulk formation. Nutraceuticals, also known as phytochemicals, are natural, bioactive chemical compounds that provide numerous physiological benefits, including, inter alia, disease prevention and health promotion. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are important for all humans in general, and women specifically. Failure to ingest the appropriate amount of essential fats daily may result in improper digestion, which in turn may cause inadequate absorption of other nutritional factors, including vitamins and minerals. The biological activity of antioxidants is enormously important to our health. Antioxidants have been known to neutralize free radical damage, rendering them all but harmless. Aging and deterioration in human cells is caused by the chemical process of oxidation. Among our primary defenses are the antioxidant nutrients, of which the most well known are vitamins C and E. Carotenoids are phytonutrients, the nutritional elements that give fruits and vegetables their orange. Although beta-carotene may be the best-known and most abundant dietary carotenoid, approximately 500 carotenoids, including lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, have been identified. Carotenoids provide health benefits, primarily because of their antioxidant properties. Such benefits include protecting the body from skin, eye, liver, and lung damage, and certain forms of cancer. Nutritional powders are well known for use in providing various individuals with sole or supplemental nutritional. These powders most often contain varying amounts and types of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, vitamins and minerals, all depending largely upon the nutritional needs of the intended user.