Therapy Of Dietary Supplements

Posted on November 25, 2008
Filed Under Diet & Food |

What is the therapy of dietary supplements?
The therapy of dietary supplements is seeking to prevent or improve as a health problem by the use of substances that contain or constitute immediate principles of the diet or the like. You also may have intended to improve an aspect of child development or youth or enhance a specific physical or mental quality.

Many different pills out of their bottles
It should be clear that in the United States concept of dietary supplements is extremely broad, as well known as those medicinal products not officially considered as drugs by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, the regulator of medical devices and food in the U.S.) So there are also medicinal herbs. But these products represent a specific type of therapy called phytotherapy apart, so we will not talk about it.

The source of supplemental therapy
The dietary supplementation therapy started a few decades ago, when the emerging discoveries about nutrition and metabolism that unveiled the important role of vitamins and minerals. Soon began to emerge a trend that supported the idea that many diseases could be due to deficiencies of certain trace elements and supplements such as immediate early, so necessary to the metabolic competition were guaranteed not to suffer such illnesses.

Later came to join this approach to the idea that most trace elements, the better metabolic functioning and therefore more health benefits. This is not really, but many people believed it, and even checked the apparent safety of vitamin and mineral supplements. Certainly, vitamins, minerals and some types of fatty acids and amino acid metabolism are essential, but in general, bring in extra dose of that already contains a healthy and balanced diet is not an additional benefit on the functions they perform.
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Anyway, later it was discovered that some trace it could have a beneficial effect in addition to its metabolic role is permanent by its antioxidant properties or other, it began to emerge in scientific studies that have attempted to show the qualities of dietary supplements in large doses (especially vitamin.) This effort to discover a prominent role for certain trace elements has been nurtured by thousands of studies and can say that today really still very much alive.

The means of supplemental therapy
By definition of trafficking in a kind of therapy in which the supplements were administered orally, either in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, gel or solution. The basic components of the trace element supplements (vitamins, minerals and immediate principles as certain fatty acids, etc.).. Also considered dietary supplement products that are not only trace extracts of tissues or specific foods (eg shark cartilage.)

Applications supplemental therapy
The treatment of dietary supplements does not have a proper range of applications on specific diseases. Its applications are found in more varied situations where it is desirable to prevent any health disorder or to improve some quality physical or intellectual. Infections, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, degenerative diseases, etc… Are, to mention only some, a good example of an ambitious list of applications that the alleged defenders say this type of therapy that is possible to prevent. Either way, it is true that deficiency diseases (such anecdotal so rare in the West) are a clear indication of the supplemental therapy, of course.

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Is the supplemental therapy?
Supplemental therapy is quite safe. Many people who use dietary supplements with true diligence and does not appear to involve harmful effects in the short term. This is due to the fact that most of the trace elements are consumed in excess immediately removed by the body by the kidney or liver disease.

But you should know that there are some elements that, by having a greater lipid solubility or metabolic possess different qualities, they tend to accumulate in the liver or in adipose tissue of our body, this is the case of fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin A, D, E and K, mainly. A group of people very fond of dietary supplements is of some elite athletes and sports people in gyms, which consume ergogenic purposes (to increase muscular strength and tolerance to effort). In this type of people have been isolated cases of liver disease, liver failure even with the tremendous abuse of the consumption of supplemental fat soluble substances, but in practice is fortunately exceptional.

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Look at ‘Ask the doctor’ many inquiries from our users cleared by our medical team. Among many others:
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It also has some dietary supplements that cause drug interactions with certain drugs, which deserve to be taken into account in individuals subject to certain kinds of medication such as anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmics, etc..

A truly effective therapy?
There are numerous scientific studies that have attempted to demonstrate the benefits of dietary supplements in many pathological situations and schedules. This is a small overview of some of the most important components that have been studied in clinical trials and observational studies:
* Vitamin C or ascorbic acid: studies with megadoses of vitamin C have been able to demonstrate that it could have a role in the prevention of certain infections. Thus, some studies show its ability to decrease the incidence of tables and catarrhal pneumonia. It has also been studied in asthma, showing no conclusive findings. The studies that have explored the antioxidant activity contribute data about their very positive qualities in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
* Folic acid: Folic acid supplementation during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy has been essential to reduce the fetal neural tube defects (the future central nervous system). It also gives a number of studies on quality of cancer prevention. In addition, folic acid prevents cardiovascular disease in people with hyperhomocysteinemia (an amino acid called homocysteine, which increases the excess risk of atherosclerosis). An additional interesting fact in connection with folic acid is that it relates to depression. It is estimated that 35% of depressive patients have a deficit of folic acid, a percentage that reaches an increase of up to 90% for the elderly; also found that this deficit appears to determine a worse response to antidepressant drug treatment. Thus it is possible that depression is often a solitary manifestation of folic acid deficiency. Anyway could not verify that supplements of folic acid to produce a special effect in improving cognitive or mood in people without prior deficit of this vitamin.
* Vitamin E (alpha): From antioxidants like ascorbic acid, or beta carotene, vitamin E appears to protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies apparently show that the relationship between the provision of high-dose-tocopherol and reduced the incidence of prostate cancer. Supplement is also recommended in the elderly for the prevention of Alzheimer dementia.
* Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): In osteoporosis decreases in consumption combined with calcium, the incidence of bone fractures. Has documented a possible protective effect for colon cancer, but this should probably be confirmed in future studies.
* Tryptophan: amino acid precursor for the synthesis of serotonin (the brain neurotransmitter key mood, among other functions) that has been increasing brain levels of the substance. Various studies report, therefore, its capacity and its apparent antidepressant strengthening the power of the pharmacological effect of antidepressants.
* Beta-Carotene: Antioxidant that has been attributed the ability to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, especially in smokers, which could not be fully demonstrated.
* Lycopene: It is reported their quality of protection against prostate cancer in some studies.
* Lutein: It is documented in several studies that might be useful for the prevention of AMD, but this has not been clearly demonstrated.
* Omega-3: Clearly demonstrated beneficial effect in protecting against cardiovascular disease.
* LCPUFA (free fatty acids, long chain polyunsaturated). Numerous studies with milk for infants supplemented with LCPUFA have shown a better development of visual acuity of the child and possibly their level of intelligence.
* Zinc: The zinc supplementation in pregnant women appears to be related to the decrease in the incidence of babies of low birth weight.
* Selenium: high-dose parenteral administration, selenium seems to decrease mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units for alleged antioxidant properties.

Dietary supplements are clearly beneficial in deficiency states. The conclusion of no benefit in people who suffer deficits related is highly questionable in most cases, but the relative safety of their use can be made interesting to further explore this possibility in future studies.

Vaccine

Each year with the arrival of autumn began to hear about the campaigns of vaccination against influenza and the need to prevent this disease. But what is the flu? Why this should be vaccinated against disease? Who should be vaccinated? Where and how to get vaccinated? These are questions that try to respond in the following lines.

Avian influenza
The annual vaccine does not protect against avian influenza. Read ‘Ten essential questions “about avian flu and see why, despite everything, should be vaccinated.

What is influenza?
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by infection with influenza virus. The disease affects the upper respiratory tract, the lower or both, and very often is accompanied by general symptoms like fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, and weakness, which many patients expressed as a real trances “, or as if he had been” beaten. ”

Almost every winter occurring outbreaks of disease, extent and severity variables, producing a considerable involvement of the general population and high mortality in certain patients at high risk call, resulting mainly from pulmonary complications.

Young sonándose nose
Each winter the disease outbreaks of varying extent and severity, leading to considerable involvement of the general population.

There is general agreement to consider influenza as a public health problem of great magnitude and recommendation for annual vaccination of certain risk groups described below. However, in spite of for over five decades with an effective vaccine is considered recognized the acceptance thereof by the public, health professionals and those who set the priority of health interventions has been slowly.

The flu and the elderly
If there is an intervention in primary care that has proven its efficiency in assisting the elderly is influenza immunization. There is evidence that vaccinating the elderly against influenza in developed countries keeps between 30% and 40% of all hospital admissions and deaths due to diseases associated with viral infection.

Despite the recognized beneficial effect of influenza immunization in this group of patients, a significant proportion of people older than 65 years are vaccinated each year.

Who should be vaccinated?
Believe individuals at high risk for flu for adults and children with chronic disorders of the heart and blood vessels and / or lungs as well as those residing in nursing homes, hospitals or homes for chronically ill elderly.

We believe people are potentially capable of transmitting influenza to high risk patients to high-risk health care workers (staff intensive care units, primary care staff) and family health and home visitation contact with high-risk patients.

We believe people of moderate risk to all persons over 65 years, adults and children with metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disorders), chronic kidney disease, states of decreasing the body’s defenses, anemia or “weakness” of the blood, high blood pressure and allergic processes. Also included in this group of children on chronic aspirin.

Finally, we consider it appropriate to influenza immunization in other populations, such as personal services (police, fire, etc.). And, in general, anyone who requests it because I want to reduce your risk of contracting the flu.

Pregnant women can also get vaccinated against influenza, but in this case the vaccine should be prepared with inactive or dead viruses.

What is the vaccine?
A vaccine is nothing more than a suspension of microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) live attenuated, inactive, fractions or other antigens or substances. Administered to healthy individuals susceptible to certain disease, to induce active immunity, ie, stimulate the body’s defense capability to protect you from infectious disease in question.

In short, the vaccine stimulates the immune system or defense of the individual and induces a specific response that protects you in the future against the infectious agent against which the vaccine.

When and where to get vaccinated?
The flu vaccine is administered free of charge in most health facilities to the public network (mainly in primary health care, ie in the Out-patient clinics and health centers) for nurses in general, by appointment in the center that usually come during the weeks or months enabled the campaign (October to December).

Contraindications
The influenza vaccine is contraindicated in the following cases:
* People with infectious diseases in acute phase or with malignant diseases, including cancer.
* Individuals under strong treatments that weaken the body’s defense system.
* Patients with decompensated heart or kidneys.
* People with diseases of the nervous system.
* People who suffer severe allergies or severe allergy to egg protein.
In all cases, patients can not be vaccinated.

How is the vaccine?
In general, the vaccine is administered through a puncture deep into the muscle of the shoulder and is well tolerated, ie, produces no problem in the majority of people vaccinated. However, in some cases and a few days after injection, symptoms similar to those of the flu, although less intense, with a few tenths of fever, malaise, muscle aches, etc.. On other occasions, you may receive a local reaction with redness and hardened zone at the site of injection, usually mild and transient. In rarer cases have been generalized skin eruptions and even severe anaphylactic shock states.

The vaccine is prepared with different types of influenza viruses that circulated in the previous influenza season and believes it can provide protection against the disease for 80 of every 100 people vaccinated.

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