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Dietary Supplement

Dietary supplements are non food items designed to supply the body with one or more essential nutrients. They became common as mankind discovered vitamins. This discovery dates to the late 19th century when farmers noticed that it took more than the base sugars, protein and carbohydrates in grain to keep cattle healthy. At the time this was a mystery, but it led to the discovery of the water based B vitamin group and the fat based A vitamin group.

This discovery revolutionized our take on disease and health. Many previously inexplicable diseases were found to be vitamin deficiencies. This led to the development of the first dietary supplements. People with the maladies in question were given pills containing the vitamins they needed to get better. After a short time on these supplements, patients grew better, and a host of diseases were all but swallowed by the term malnutrition.

Dietary supplements today are designed to give us the nutrients we need but may not be getting on the modern diet of junk food and restaurant dining. Modern multivitamins cover the bases on most nutrients on a “just in case” basis. Individual vitamins help those struggling with a specific issue. There are even dietary supplements designed for athletes and those dieting to lose weight.

 

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