Introduction
The changing lifestyles and the busy schedules that characterize modern societies have led to several challenges. Unhealthy eating habits comprise one of the challenges associated with modern lifestyles. The modern individuals grapple with poor and unhealthy diets as well as busy schedules. In the light of these developments, a number of chronic diseases have emerged and initiated death of various individuals. While long-term diseases lead to death of thousands every year, others are continually contracting the ailments. Due to the phenomenon, there is a need to establish practices that not only curb the present situation, but also prevent recurrence of the chronic diseases. Use of supplements is one of the various ways that are useful in managing the diseases and preventing future occurrences. The fact that the supplements serve as food and contain nutrients in their required quantities and qualities implies that their use facilitates healthy living. By consuming the supplements, one is ensured of a balanced diet and the body acquires the necessary nutrients that advance the quality of life enjoyed by the individual. It is within this backdrop that the paper assesses the role of food supplements in preventing chronic illness.
Chronic Diseases and Food Supplements
Overview
Food supplements play a very instrumental role in preventing chronic diseases. Diseases that characterize modern societies are usually outcomes of unhealthy lifestyles. Consumption of fast food deficient of nutrients is one of the major causes of chronic diseases that affect several individuals in modern societies. Diabetes, cancer, heart complications, and weight problems are some of the ailments that affect individuals because of unhealthy lifestyles. It is vital to elaborate that due to the changes in lifestyles, several people have taken to consumption of fast food, which take short time to prepare, are tasty, and full of calories. Mill (2003) explains that consumption of junk food has led to contraction of diseases that can at times change the destiny of individuals. As such, it is important that individuals devise ways that can be helpful in reducing consumption of junk food and encouraging use of healthy diets.
Food supplements are the alternative for food, but practitioners in the field of medicine as well as those in the nutrition sector argue that individuals should not substitute supplements for food. Instead, the scholars state that people need to consume the supplements together with food as it helps enhance the amount nutrients that are deficient in a number of modern foodstuffs. Fundamentally, individuals need to ensure that what they consume is healthy so that the effectiveness of the supplements augments (Maguire & Fargnoli, 1999). Like food, supplements do not require several checks especially after state agencies verify that they are suitable for consumption. The requisite contents of supplements include amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids. Besides acting as food, the supplements can also serve as body builders. Athletes and other individuals who engage in rigorous activities can consume the supplements so that their bodies develop the necessary adaptation for the respective activities. It is crucial to allude that individuals should consume the supplements with moderation and in the process practice healthy eating habits.
To understand the relevance of food supplements and their role in preventing chronic diseases entirely, it is vital that the paper examines a number of chronic diseases and food supplements present in the modern markets. A good understanding of the chronic ailments that affect various countries around the globe is chief in a comprehensive coverage and analysis of how food supplements prevent long-term illnesses. Furthermore, by elucidating the various supplements found in today’s world, the paper is well placed to dissect their roles and explain their importance in management of long-term illnesses. Notably, food supplements come in different forms, which comprise liquid, powder, tablets, gelcaps, capsules, and softgels. Individuals who need the supplements can acquire them from grocery stores and pharmacies. The paper examines diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. The paper also analyses food supplements, which include vitamins, minerals, and proteins
Chronic Diseases
Cancer
Cancer is a chronic illness that has become a big threat in the modern world. With the increasing use of chemicals and improving technology, the disease is continually claiming lives around the globe. Maguire and Fargnoli (1999) assert that breast, prostate and cervical cancer are the major death causing types of cancer followed by other kinds, which include lung and throat cancer. With the kind of food and supplements that we consume, individuals can control and prevent the illness. Food and supplements that we eat play a major role in the prevention of cancer. Imperatively, engaging in the right eating habits and consuming the right food and supplements reduce the risk of contracting cancer (Mill, 2003). Besides the use of food supplements and balanced diet, regular tests are crucial because they help detect the disease and commence medication on time when the ailment is in its early stages.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term illness that has affected many people over the recent past. The number of people who are contracting the diseases is on the rise a phenomenon that raises the alarm on the essence of increased awareness that concern the dangers posed by diabetes. People diagnosed with diabetes encounter problems like kidney failures, heart attack, and limp amputation. In a number of countries, majority of the individuals who contract the disease are low-income earners. Remarkably, the disease affects the body and renders it incapable of regulating its sugar levels. The aftermath of failed regulation of sugar levels is a continued prescription of insulin throughout the lifetime of an individual. Eating junk food increases the chances of getting diabetes. However, regulation of sugar level in our meals plays a pivotal role in prevention of the ailment.
Cardiovascular Complications
Cardiovascular or heart complications are some of the chronic diseases that affect modern individuals. With the changes in lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, people are continually contracting the disease. The number of people who die from the disease has led to the need to have ways that are useful in its management and prevention. Weight gain is one of the factors that trigger the disease. Maguire and Fargnoli (1999) allude that when individuals gain weight, the blood veins reduce in size because of the high amount of fat that block the flow of blood. Clogged veins lead to a range of cardiovascular complications. Some of the complications include heart failures and high blood pressure. Regular exercising, eating balanced diet, and use of supplements are some of the ways that can help prevent the frequency of contracting the disease.
Food Supplements
Vitamins
Vitamin supplements are among the main supplements consumed by people around the globe. The common vitamin supplements consumed by people are known as multivitamins. Practically, people consume multivitamins because of several reasons. Enhanced nutritional value, healthy living, and amplified immunity comprise some of the reasons that initiate consumption of the supplements. The supplements contain important vitamins such as vitamin B12 and D, which are very essential in prevention of long-term illnesses. Mill (2003) elucidates that when individuals consume supplements that contain vitamins, they are less likely to have eyesight problems, weak bones, or contract a number of chronic diseases. Reduced contraction of long-term illnesses takes place because the amount of vitamins present in the supplements is optimum and helps address instances where food is deficient of the nutrients. Notably, consumption of vitamin supplements should materialize after advice from medical practitioners on matters that include the quantity and frequency of consumption.
Minerals
Mineral supplements are essential in our bodies and play a major role in prevention of chronic diseases. Calcium, fluoride, potassium, and iron comprise the minerals, which are essential in our bodies. Calcium plays a key role in bone formation and people acquire it from animal products. Iron, fluoride, and potassium help in formation of strong cavities, prevention of anemia, and reduce the chances of getting blood pressure. Consumption of supplements that have these minerals helps in formation of strong immune system and management of blood pressure. Presence of potassium in our daily diet is important because it prevents high blood pressure and stroke. Therefore, people need to consume mineral supplements as they play a very important role in preventing instances of acquiring long-term illnesses (Maguire & Fargnoli, 1999). Remarkably, individuals should take the supplements with moderation because if they consume them in large quantities the supplements may cause harm in their bodies.
Proteins
Protein supplements play a great role in our bodies. Proteins are among the supplements needed in smaller quantities because they repair worn out tissues, form new cells, and strengthen muscles. Protein supplements, which come in different structures and components, are essential in the prevention of chronic illnesses. Eggs, fish, and meat comprise proteins, which contain components that are useful in building the body. Notably, proteins play a very elementary role in regulating the various operations of the body. Animal products and plants like groundnuts are good sources of proteins. Mill (2003) allude that consumption of food supplements that contain proteins is one of the ways that ensure individuals stay health and free from long-term illnesses. Like other supplements, people need to consult expertise from medical practitioners in order to ascertain the frequency of consumption. Moreover, people who are on medication need to understand if the supplement in question can react negatively to the medicine that they are using.
Role of Food Supplements in Preventing Long-Term Illnesses
Fundamentally, food supplements play a pivotal role in preventing chronic diseases. The effectiveness of the supplements hinges on the type as well as the contents. People usually consume supplements during instances of sickness, pregnancy, or in scenarios where the available food is deficient of certain nutrients. To acquire the much-desired high quality effectiveness from a supplement, consumers should engage in an intensive research so that they make informed purchases and buy authentic products from certified outlets. Poor choice leads to unsatisfying results whereas a wise choice gives the best results in relation to the product’s effectiveness. Additionally, consumers need to seek expert advice from medical practitioners especially if they are on medication. The essence of seeking medical expertise when one is on medication transpires because some supplements can react negatively with medications. Another factor that consumers of food supplements need to exercise during consumption is moderation. It is paramount to elucidate that excessive use of supplements can lead to increased toxics in the body of the individuals and eventually initiate a range of health complications.
Food Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Improved Metabolism and Weight Loss
Apparently, a number of chronic diseases occur because of metabolic complications. When the body cannot execute metabolism in line with the required state, the individual is likely to contract long-term illnesses. Cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications are among the chronic illnesses that occur because of unhealthy metabolism. When the body fails to break down the nutrients accordingly, some of these nutrients remain unutilized, a factor that leads to increased amount of toxics in the body. Maguire and Fargnoli (1999) explain that increased toxics amplify the scale of vulnerability in contraction of chronic diseases. However, when an individual uses food supplements, the rate of metabolism improves and nutrients become optimized. By optimizing the nutrients, the body gets maximum components required for its functions. To ensure that the body has the required level of metabolism, one should consume food supplements that contain vitamins such as vitamin B. Proper metabolism helps in ensuring that one enjoys optimum utility of nutrients and healthy body free from a number of long-term illnesses which come along in the aftermath of unhealthy metabolic activities.
Another role that food supplements play in preventing contraction of chronic diseases is promoting weight loss. Food supplements usually contain nutrients that the body requires in the right quantities and qualities. As such, by consuming them alongside other food a person gets the requisite amount of nutrients in the correct quantity and quality. Therefore, instances of obesity and other complications related to weight gain decrease. When the body weight is within the required level, a person is less likely to contract long-term illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart problems. Practically, food supplements help prevent chronic illnesses by far because their consumption encourages sufficient utility of nutrients in the body. Weight related diseases like diabetes decrease when one has the right amount of nutrients optimized by the body in the right quantities and qualities. It is instrumental to explain that several long-term illnesses are outcomes of poor and unbalanced eating habits (Mill, 2003). As a result, consumption of food supplements that contain the required nutrients is one of the steps that help in prevention of chronic illnesses.
Improved Immunity and Quick Recovery
Consequently, consumption of food supplements helps boost the immunity of an individual. The immunity improves because food supplements contain nutrients that comprise balanced diet. Remarkably, several long-term illnesses that affect modern societies take effect because of fast foods that are deficient of balanced diet. According to Maguire and Fargnoli (1999), when people consume food supplements, they stand a better chance of enjoying the benefits associated with balanced diet. Imperatively, balanced diet, which is also present in authentic supplements, improves the overall immunity of the body. When the immunity of the body improves, the individual is less likely to contract chronic illnesses. As such, scholars and stakeholders in the health sector need to undertake studies that emphasize on the role played by supplements in boosting the immunity of individuals. By boosting the immunity, food supplements become very relevant in the initiative that concerns prevention of long-term illnesses.
Another factor that advances the relevance of food supplements in prevention of long-term illnesses concerns quick recovery. Consumption of food supplements in their required quantities and qualities is one of the ways that help individuals recover quickly from a number of ailments. To facilitate quick recovery, food supplements play an important role in the repair of bones and strained tissues. Supplements, which contain calcium and vitamin D, are very essential in ensuring that individuals recover quickly from ailments that may eventually lead to chronic diseases. Moreover, when the supplements encourage quick recovery, they play an integral role in reducing the vulnerability of individuals to long-term illnesses. In the event that one contracts chronic illness, consumption of food supplements not only helps in treating, but also prevents future recurrence of the disease.
Reduction of Calories
Food supplements also play an integral role in reducing the amount of calories in the body. Improved metabolism implies that people who consume food supplements are free from excess calories. Long-term diseases like diabetes, cancer, and other lifestyle complications are outcomes associated with consumption of food that contain unwanted calories (Mill, 2003). When people consume food that contains excess calories, they increase their chances of contracting chronic diseases. Notably, food supplements contain balanced amount of nutrients that focus on low calorie food. By consuming the supplements, individuals minimise their chances of contracting long-term diseases, increase their overall health, immunity, and manage their weights. Therefore, it is in order to explain that food supplements play a pivotal role in preventing chronic illnesses. The modern societies characterized by food that do not contain balanced diet compels individuals to look for supplements so that they can improve their overall health and ingest those nutrients that are deficient in several contemporary food.
Conclusion
Chronic illnesses have risen and become major causes of death in modern societies. Diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and obesity comprise diseases, which are chronic and have consumed lives of millions worldwide. These diseases vary according to what we eat in our daily life and can be reduced by consuming food rich in minerals and fruits. Unhealthy eating habits, which espouse consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, and other substances that contain chemicals, increase vulnerability of contracting chronic diseases. Notably, improved ways of agricultural farming that utilize chemicals in disease and pest control has overtime contributed to an increase in the scale of long-term illnesses. Contribution of farm products occasions because farmers use chemicals that are harmful and unhealthy. Use of chemicals is dangerous and affects human health hence fast tracking the spread of long-term diseases. To address the issue of chronic diseases, individuals need to eat balanced diet and utilize effective ways of improving their health. Some of the ways that are useful in preventing chronic diseases include use of food supplements.
References
Maguire, D. C., & Fargnoli, A. N. (1999). On moral grounds: The art, science of ethics. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Mill, S. J. (2003). Utilitarianism and on liberty: Including Mill’s essay on Bentham’ and selections from the writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Austin (2nd ed.). In M. Warnock (Ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell.