Food supplements are nutritional supplements designed to satisfy a specific request for increased needs on the part of the body.
These are supplements enriched in micro and macronutrients and other functional compounds that can assist the normal state of well-being of the body, assisting its natural functions.
Particularly indicated in conditions of particular stress of the organism such as intense sporting activity, recovery from trauma or injury or morbid conditions that limit the assimilation of nutrients (malabsorption), these nutritional supports they have to be hired only in case of real need e always as part of a varied diet and balanced rich in fresh fruit and vegetables.
They do subdivide basically in 3 macro categories: sports supplements for the improvement of physical performance, products for well-being and phytocomplexes.
in Primi all those supports are enclosed capable of improving ergogenic performance, that is, that external factor capable of determining an obvious improvement of physical performance. These factors include mechanical support (see ergogenic tissues), physiological, pharmacological, psychological and nutritional support, precisely supplements.
Among the most important nutritional supplements for athletes we find the creatine, fundamental amino acids, protein powder and hormonal stimulators. Among the most renowned and used supports for the normal state of well-being we mention the multivitamin and mineral complexes, supplements containing high dosages of a single micronutrient (such as Vitamin C, D3, E), fatty acids rich in Omega 3-6 and 9 like thefish oil el 'conjugated linoleic acid. In addition to these they are always part of the wellness segment i "nutraceuticals", that is to say highly specific supplements based on elements that can derive from plants, microbial agents and foods, capable of promoting the physiological processes of the organism.
They can be defined as "estimates"of some chronic pathologies, improving the state of health and retarding cellular aging. Although the legislation and the scientific literature do not allow and demonstrate any therapeutic effect of these nutritional supports, the common modern medical practice highlights, in fact, the absolute validity of nutraceuticals as adjuvants of drug treatment.
It flies, i phytocompounds, plant extracts usually rich in ingredients with physiological effects on the body, always part of the branch of nutraceuticals. The main properties of these herbs are mainly contained in the following effects:
- adaptogen, in order to improve the general resistance of the organism to external "stressors";
- immunocoadjuvant, therefore useful for strengthening the body's defenses in the presence of infectious phenomena or for preventive purposes as a shield against pathogens;
- anti-inflammatory, to counteract the inflammatory states of the tendon and joint structures as well as for the whole organism;
- antioxidant and anti-aging, therefore, to counteract cellular aging induced by the excessive production of free radicals, compounds responsible for the degenerative phenomena of the organism and, potentially, for the appearance of some neoplasms.
All characteristics tending to favor the maintenance of homeostasis, or that subtle balance that allows self-regulation, a very important phenomenon to keep the internal environment constant despite the mutations that occur outside.
