A food supplement is, typically, a nutrient added to a foodstuff which would
otherwise not contain that nutrient. In general, the term is restricted to those
additives which are deemed to be positive for health, growth or well-being.
Several ranges of food supplements are recognised:
additives which repair a deficit to "normal" levels
additives which appear to enhance a food
supplements taken in addition to the normal diet
Many physicians today disagree with the premise that foodstuffs need
supplementation, but accept that - for example - added calcium may
provide benefit, or that adding folic acid may
correct a nutritional deficiency especially in pregnant women.
On a more controversial level, but well founded in scientific basis, is the science
of using foods and food supplements to achieve a defined health goal. A common
example of this use of food supplements is the extent to which body builders will
use amino
acid mixtures, vitamins
and phytochemicals to enhance natural hormone production, increase muscle and reduce
fat.
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