Supplements, supplements, supplements. Things such as the idea of supplements and a healthy lifestyle have taken over not only the internet but also our lifestyle choices. Let's take a look at the history of supplements to remind ourselves what they mean in our lives.
Supplements have existed for longer than we might think. Nowadays, supplements containing curcumin, spirulina, nettle, and oregano extracts are still popular, rebranded in the 21st century as "superfoods".
Vitamins also appear in supplements. We can buy these vitamins in the form of tablets, liquids, powders, or even teas. However, it is worth remembering the origins of vitamins. How did they arise, and who was the culprit?
The first vitamin discovered was vitamin B1. This happened around late 1911 or early 1912 when a Polish biochemist, Kazimierz Funk, separated it from rice bran. The first known compound was the first 'vitamin' - from the Latin words "vita" (life) and "amine" (nitrogen-containing compounds). Funk was aware that it was part of a whole group of ingredients responsible for the proper functioning of the body. He decided to continue to research them, which resulted in the discovery of vitamin B3 and more knowledge about vitamins A and D.
The definition of a dietary supplement is set out in Article 3 (3) (39) of the Act on bż as a foodstuff whose purpose is to supplement a normal diet, being a concentrated source of vitamins or minerals or other substances showing nutritional or other physiological effects, single or complex, placed on the market in a form enabling dosage. The above conditions must be met cumulatively. However, a dietary supplement may not possess the properties of a medicinal product within the meaning of the provisions of the Pharmaceutical Law of September 6, 2016. According to Article 27 of the Act on b, dietary supplements may contain vitamins and minerals that are naturally present in food and consumed as part of it, as well as other substances exhibiting a nutritional or another physiological effect.
In the 21st century, supplementation plays a significant role in our busy lives. It has become accessible and even inaccessible as an essential element of everyday existence. Through various stimuli from the outside and all kinds of social media, you can not free yourself from it. The sheer volume of ads, posters, and oral information has made supplementation a solution for everything. This has led to a decrease in the consideration of our individual needs.
Because of what we eat, what our lifestyle looks like, and whether we have health problems, we are different from others. Our body has different needs than those of our friend or the lady from the ad.
Although all supplements come with the warning that they shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, the mentality that a handful of supplements will change a person's mood or situation is still rampant.
What is conscious supplementation?
We frequently forget to diagnose the cause when selecting supplements. Diagnose what causes pain, indigestion, being overweight, hair loss, weakness, depression, etc.
I approach a slim, tall man who has been staring for some time at products in the ‘muscles and bones’ section. "How can I help you?"
"Ah, So glad you are here. "I'm looking for some pills that will support my back and bones too because it hurts me so much that I can't walk sometimes."
"Did you go to the doctor about this problem?"
"Yes, I was once, but he said that everything is okay, only that after the holidays I have terrible pain again, and I heard that vitamin D and calcium are good for bones"
"Hmmm, where exactly does your back hurt?"
"Well, here," the customer says, raising the shirt unexpectedly and pointing to the lower back (lumbar spine).
I looked at him again and timidly added: Maybe your muscles hurt, not your bones."
"No, it's not my muscles, my back hurts," he replied, shouting, clutching firmly at the lumbar spine. I took a deep breath because I didn't want my client to leave unhappy because he didn't know about the pain center. So I had to find the cause of the pain.
"What work do you do every day?"
" I am a driver."
"And how many hours a day do you spend behind the wheel?"
"Well, in the morning I go out around 7 o'clock and come back after 6 pm. That's why I need to do something about my back because painkillers aren't working."
"Please go to the doctor first. In the meantime, please try to stretch out in the morning and evening, for 10–15 minutes. If you do not know the exercises for stretching your back muscles, please go to YouTube and check out simple tasks for stretching the lumbar spine. Swimming should also take place twice a week, and you should go for a professional back massage. Apart from that, it will be useful to take a bath with magnesium flakes to relax your muscles. It soothes the pain too."
"But I don't have time to exercise."
"Even 10 minutes in the morning and 10 in the evening?" to feel better later?"
"No. But this magnesium sounds good to me. I will buy magnesium flakes then."
The contact work I did with around 150 clients a day gave me a clear picture of how the majority of society ignores the signals that their bodies give. Often, people care more about getting rid of these discomforts than thinking about what they actually need.
Conscious supplementation and Lipoedema
Conscious supplementation means that our selection of supplements is a reflection of what our actual body needs, not fashion or trends among friends.
We all suffer from the same disease. Lipoedema affects the same or similar parts of our body. But although it consists in feeling the same discomfort, pain, and appearance, we should always remember that we are individuals.
Throughout these four years, I have researched how to support my body with specific vitamins and minerals. After a long recharge, I found a few supplements that work well with lipoedema.
B12 in our bodies is responsible for dealing with carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, as well as supporting muscle growth and work. Apart from that, it also affects the proper functioning of the nervous system. B12 occurs in meat products such as the liver, kidneys, and fish. You can also find it in eggs or dairy products such as cheese. If you are vegan, this supplement is worth buying.
Small amounts of Selenium can have significant effects on our health, but higher doses can hurt us a lot. If you are allergic to selenium or have inflammation and damaged skin, you should avoid taking this mineral. However, it can also help protect against oxidative cell damage. It also seems to be very helpful in reducing swelling. Consuming 2-3 Brazil nuts per week could be an alternative.
The supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) has a beneficial effect on lowering blood pressure, has anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes a decrease in cholesterol. If you prefer not to eat fishy foods, it is worth reaching for this supplement. I can't imagine a week without fish. I am a fisherman, which excludes me from the group of people in love with veganism. I accepted, I accepted.
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory plant from the ginger family that can be taken in powdered form, added to dishes, or as a supplement, depending on your needs. It is one of the few supplements that I take, especially during menstruation, because it soothes menstrual pain and inflammation and helps digestion.
Inulin, also known as inulin fibre, is a type of soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic by encouraging the growth of intestinal bacteria. It is naturally found in vegetables and fruits. Recommended to those who instead run away from their consumption.
Butcher’s broom, supports the transport of nutrients to muscle tissue and also has a diuretic effect by removing excess water from the body. It alleviates the symptoms of poor circulation in the legs, such as pain, heaviness, cramps, and swelling.
Collagen is one of my favourite supplements. It is also one of the most abundant structural proteins found in our bodies.
"The so-called nutrient supplementation is helpful in many cases and occurs very often at the very beginning of the treatment - entering a healthy diet. Then such additional supplementation should gradually decrease.
It is worth reaching for herbs and seaweed and adding concentrated sources of vitamins, bioflavonoids, or chlorophyll to your diets, such as young barley, wheat shoots, or sprouts.
Let's be aware of the power of nature, movement, and proper hydration.
We watch our bodies. Let us speak to our body. And let's treat supplementation as a transient stage that will allow us to achieve a healthy balance.
With love, Nutrition vs Lipoedema.
Bibliography
FDRS 2017 conference. Dr Karen Herbst and Chuck Ehrlich, 2017
KAZIMIERZ FUNK – A SCIENTIST WHO DISCOVERED VITAMINS, /polonia.edu.pl
** ZOFIA KOTYNIA, PRZEMYSŁAW SZEWCZYK, GRAŻYNA TUZIKIEWICZ-GNITECKA, "The safety of using dietary supplements. Approval of products on the market in Poland" 4 / July-August / 2017
David Grotto "101 products for health and life" 201
Helena Ciborowska, Anna Rudnicka "Dietetics, nutrition of a healthy and sick man" 2014
Paul Pitchford "Nutrition for health" 2011
Nutrition Advisor Course, 2016
The article is for reference only and does not exhaust specific problems related to the main topic. The information contained in this document should not be the basis for self-diagnosis or self-healing. If you suspect any of these conditions, this information cannot be considered medical advice and cannot replace a doctor's appointment.