How to choose the right supplements?
What are dietary supplements?
A dietary supplement is a foodstuff usually in powder, liquid or capsule form. It enables you to provide your body with a nutrient supplement that complements your diet and thus has a beneficial effect on your body. It is designed for physiological dosage. The quality of the nutrients present in it is similar to that of your food or your body. Food supplements are generally made up of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, antioxidants or herbs.
Why take food supplements?
Food supplementation is designed to maintain good health and can help prevent the onset of certain diseases. Supplements are useful when it is difficult to cover daily nutrient requirements through the diet. Supplementation is therefore a good way of making up for a lack of nutrients, helping to maintain good health or achieve specific sporting objectives. For athletes, supplementation can also help boost performance, improve recovery, increase muscle mass and burn fat.
It's important to remember, however, that dietary supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet; they must complement a healthy, varied diet.
How to choose the right sports supplement?
First of all, it's important to clearly define your objectives, so that you can choose the most suitable and specific dietary supplement.
You can seek professional advice before taking a supplement to make sure it's right for you - that's what we're here for! You should also ask about the presence of allergens that may not fit into your diet. What's more, it's essential to respect the dosage indicated on the product label to avoid vitamin or mineral overdose.
Choose your product according to its concentration of active ingredients, make sure that the dosage is clearly indicated and that its composition is clean (i.e. free from harmful components and additives). At Superset Nutrition, you can find up to 23 active ingredients per product, and we attach the utmost importance to their traceability and quality to offer you an effective formulation. All our products comply with European Food Safety Authority directives and current legislation, and are registered with the DGCCRF.
Last but not least, food supplements are not "miracle products", the results of supplementation are not instantaneous, and to achieve beneficial results over the long term they need to be integrated into a healthy lifestyle, and patience and determination are required.
What are the risks associated with taking dietary supplements?
If food supplements are consumed correctly by a healthy person, in accordance with the correct dosage and precautions, then they pose no risk to the body! On the other hand, if you suffer from health problems or are taking medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist that you can take both at the same time! If you experience any undesirable effects, don't hesitate to consult a health professional.
What are the different types of dietary supplements?
There are several families of dietary supplements, each with a different purpose, the most common of which are :
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for your body to function properly, and vitamin and mineral supplements can help make up for deficiencies and prevent certain ailments.
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats important for the heart and brain, and taking supplements can help increase your fat intake.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that act in the intestine to promote good digestion, among other things. These supplements help maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota.
Herbal supplements have many functions. They can help support immune health, cognitive function or nervous system health.
Protein- and amino acid-based supplements are used for muscle recovery and growth, and are highly appreciated by athletes.
Food supplements can therefore be an excellent way of supporting your health and meeting your daily requirements, but you need to choose the right ones for you, bearing in mind that you need to be vigilant about their composition and use to protect your health and meet your sporting goals.
To find out which food supplements are best suited to your sporting goals, take a look at our article here