Currently, we are seeing a large number of dietary supplements advertising, while vitamins at the same time begin to fade into the background. The priority issue in modern society is improving the quality of life and health. The use of various trace elements can provide significant assistance in solving this issue. However, going once again to the pharmacy, many are wondering about how vitamins differ from dietary supplements. What is better to choose to strengthen your health? In the article, we will consider how dietary supplements differ from vitamins according to expert reviews.
Vitamin Definition
Vitamins are called pharmaceutical products of natural or synthetic origin, which are intended to fill the lack of nutrients in the human body. They are recommended in cases where, for example, for some reason the necessary amount of organic acids, antioxidants, and mineral elements does not enter the human body.
All vitamin preparations in their composition are usually divided into the following categories:
- monovitamins that are based on one single vitamin;
- multivitamins, which include several substances;
- vitamin and mineral complexes;
- mineral preparations that contain only minerals in their composition;
- omega group fatty acids;
- amino acids.
Determination of dietary supplements
Supplements are additional sources of trace elements and natural vitamins, animal and plant nutrients. All of them are used to improve the diet. Dietary supplements are also divided into several categories, which include:
- nutraceuticals intended for the general strengthening of the human body;
- prebiotics designed to normalize the intestinal microflora;
- parapharmaceuticals used to improve the condition in case of chronic diseases.
Both dietary supplements and vitamins in pharmacies are sold in various dosage forms: capsule, tablet, powder. In addition, for children, you can purchase these funds in the form of chewing lozenges or syrup. Both those and other complexes are sold freely without a prescription.
How do vitamins differ from dietary supplements?
Many people are not aware of the difference in drugs. But how do vitamins differ from dietary supplements? Let's take a closer look at the differences. Vitamin Aids:
- They are implemented as preventive complexes, as well as as single-component medications for the treatment of pathologies that are associated with a deficiency in a particular substance in the body.
- In its composition have active substances in a certain dosage.
- Vitamins contain both synthetic and components of natural origin.
- They have a pronounced therapeutic effect on the body.
- Clinically tested initially on animals, and then on patients who agreed to this procedure voluntarily.
- Vitamins are licensed, have a special certificate of quality.
- These drugs are divided into categories depending on the purpose, for example, for children, pregnant women, to strengthen bones, improve skin and hair.
- Vitamins have detailed instructions where you can get acquainted with the pharmacological actions, methods of use, dosage, course of administration, as well as other important data.
- They can be freely purchased at the pharmacy, as well as in any online store.
So, we continue to consider how vitamins differ from dietary supplements. As for the latter, their main differences are as follows:
- These drugs are not related to medicines.
- They do not have a clear composition that would be justified by a pharmaceutical effect.
- The composition contains a large number of substances of various origins.
- Clinical tests of dietary supplements do not pass.
- There is no clear dosage, but these drugs are taken in a long course.
- They are not used for therapeutic purposes, but in order to enrich the diet.
- They have only a certificate that confirms that there are no toxic and harmful substances in the composition.
- Supplements do not have detailed instructions, which is why it is difficult to understand exactly what the pharmaceutical effects of the components are, as well as how they can affect the human body.
- In most cases, these drugs are sold through online stores and network offices, and in pharmacies you can rarely find them.
Why drink vitamins?
So, we have found out where the differences between dietary supplements and vitamins are. But why should they be taken?
Minerals and vitamins are substances that are not synthesized in the human body, constantly replenished by the method of eating. These substances are able to ensure the normal course of any process in the human body, and their deficiency is the cause of the development of various pathologies.
Currently, the food we eat is hard to call saturated with trace elements and vitamins. Many store products are stuffed with preservatives, dyes, transgenic fats, as well as synthetic sugars, but they have few useful substances. That is why modern people replenish their body with pharmacy vitamins and minerals.
Why drink dietary supplements?
Like vitamin complexes, dietary supplements contain beneficial compounds that strengthen the body. In most cases, in these additives there are only natural components, which is why the body is not overloaded with synthetic substances. Dietary supplements can have a positive effect on the human body. Drugs are used to strengthen the overall immune system, but there are also those that solve specific health problems. With the help of dietary supplements, a person can get rid of some diseases, improve their performance, restore emotional and mental state, normalize the structure of nail plates and hair, and restore an attractive appearance to the skin.
Supplements and medicines - what is the difference?
At first glance, it might seem that distinguishing medicines from auxiliary drugs is quite difficult. Manufacturers of active additives want to give their product an appearance that will be similar to pharmacy medicines. The produced forms, packaging, instructions are practically indistinguishable from medicines for the simple buyer. But there is still a difference.
First of all, on packages with additives you will not find the Latin name, as well as the active substance. In addition, there should be an inscription on the box stating that dietary supplement is not a medicine. Sometimes there you can find a note that a biologically active supplement is used with food. However, the visual differences completely end there. Be sure to consider the difference between dietary supplements and medications, their characteristics during the purchase of a particular product. So you can choose for yourself the most suitable tool.
Why are dietary supplements better?
So, we continue to consider the features of biologically active additives, as well as vitamin complexes. But which is better - dietary supplements or vitamins? The main difference between these drugs is the speed of their action on the body. Vitamins give the fastest, as well as a pronounced effect, but at the same time they have some contraindications, a small number of side effects. Substances that are part of vitamin complexes can accumulate in human tissues and are removed from the body for a long time. And in case of prolonged accumulation they will give a toxic effect.
The advantages of dietary supplements are that they are completely natural remedies, therefore, they do not have any contraindications, and also do not have adverse reactions. If a synthetic drug negatively affects human systems and organs, then natural supplements can be used without any concern. The popularity of dietary supplements is huge today, as pharmacists in the production of drugs focus on the natural origin of the components.
Thus, if you are wondering, for example, how vitamins for vision differ from dietary supplements, then their main difference will be precisely in the naturalness of the substances that make up the composition.
The best dietary supplements and vitamins
Those people who have never used vitamins and dietary supplements probably do not know which ones are the best. Below is a list of the best of them. Do not confuse these drugs during their purchase. Vitamins are not dietary supplements! List of the best biological supplements:
- Hematogen.
- Propolis.
- Fish fat.
- Stevia.
- Ginkgo biloba.
- Agar agar.
- L-carnitine.
- Essential oils and plant extracts.
- Valerian.
- Chlorophyllipt.
- Herbal teas.
- Blueberry preparations.
- "Turboslim".
As for vitamin complexes, the following are the best:
- Multi-Tabs.
- "Alphabet".
- "Complies."
- "Revalid".
- Pantovigar.
- "Centrum".
- "David".
- Pentovit.
- "Neurobion".
- "Calcium D 3 Nycomed."
- Thiogamma.
- "Asparkam".
- "Vikasol".
Price difference
Another difference between vitamin complexes and dietary supplements is their cost. As a rule, the former are much cheaper. But it is worth considering that the manufacturer affects the cost. Some foreign drugs are quite expensive. When buying vitamins and dietary supplements, you do not need to focus on the price. When choosing, you should pay attention to the purpose of use and the condition of your body.