Do healthy people really need supplements?
According to the expert, if a person is healthy and leads a normal lifestyle, in most cases they don’t need any supplements at all.
The main factors for health are a balanced diet, physical activity, and adequate sleep. Supplements only complement the diet when there is a deficiency of certain nutrients.
That is why they are called “supplements” — they support the body rather than replace proper nutrition.
Omega-3
Oleksandr Koliada explains that omega-3 is not a universal health solution. Often, it is just an indicator of whether a person is getting enough seafood.
If someone regularly eats fish and seafood at least twice a week, they usually receive sufficient amounts of these fatty acids naturally.
If such foods are limited in the diet, supplements can partially compensate for the deficiency. However, the geneticist notes that they cannot fully replace natural food.
When vitamin D is really needed
Another popular supplement is vitamin D. It can be useful for people who spend little time outdoors or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
In such cases, the body may not produce enough of the vitamin, making a supplement beneficial. But if a person regularly spends time outside and gets enough sunlight, the need for supplements is greatly reduced.
Magnesium and collagen
Magnesium”s effects are often overestimated. According to the expert, it may slightly improve sleep — for example, helping to fall asleep a little faster.
However, the idea that magnesium can treat stress or most nervous system problems is greatly exaggerated.
Collagen, on the other hand, is essentially just a protein. The geneticist explains that it is hardly different from the protein obtained from meat or broths, but it is sold at a much higher price.
In conclusion, Oleksandr Koliada emphasizes that the question of supplements is much less about the products themselves and more about a person’s lifestyle.
Rational use of supplements involves first analyzing diet, physical activity, and other habits. Only after that should one determine whether there is an actual deficiency that needs to be addressed with supplements or dietary changes.
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This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
