WHO NEEDS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS?
What are food supplements?
Food supplements are foods that contain one or more nutrients in concentrated form and are in a form that is not typical of food (tablets, capsules, etc.). They are intended to supplement the daily diet in cases where the dietary supply is inadequate or a supplement is desired.
Who needs food supplements?
Food supplements are particularly recommended for people who, due to environmental toxins, an unbalanced diet, unhealthy behavior (smoking, alcohol, stress, taking medication, etc.), obesity, age or gender-specific characteristics or high physical stress (sport, hard physical work), have a high consumption of e.g.vitaminsand minerals (which cannot be covered by normal food intake). Other groups are pregnant women, frequent flyers (due to "jet lag") and exam candidates (due to high psychological stress). Special dietary supplements can also be used to reduce body weight, for example.reduce body weightor to build up muscle mass in a short timebuild up muscle mass in a short timeand thus increase and maintain the body's performance in every respect.
Why do we need nutritional supplements?
So-called "nutrition-related diseases" are on the rise in most countries of the western world (especially Germany and Austria). Many people suffer from diffuse complaints such as lack of concentration, digestive disorders, fatigue or "burnout syndrome". Few people realize that these complaints/illnesses are linked tomalnutritioncould have to do with malnutrition. Even those who manage to follow the recommendations of the DGE (German Nutrition Society) and eat fruit or vegetables 4-6 times a day are not supplied with a sufficient amount of essential vitamins and minerals. One of the reasons for this is "intensive farming". This provides us with food that looks fresh for a long time, lasts longer and is increasingly large in size. An undesirable side effect is that vegetables have an unnaturally high water and protein content. In other words, they look nice but contain far fewer vitamins and trace elements than they used to. Broccoli, for example, has lost 68% of its calcium content since 1985. Potatoes have lost over a third of their magnesium, and the "daily apple" ("An apple a day keeps the doctor away") now only contains around 20% of its original "health power". This is exacerbated by the long transportation routes and storage times of fruit and vegetables on their way from the farmer to the supermarket. Preparation methods, such as cooking, then finally destroy the vitamins and minerals.
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What scientific studies are there to support the need for dietary supplements?
There are hundreds of studies from all over the world as evidence. Here is just a very small selection:
The Swiss Nutrition Report from 1998 states that "as food markets become more globalized, nutrient deficiencies may arise". In the same report, insufficient coverage of several essential nutrients is noted (includingvitamins B1, B2, B6,Das well as iodine and calcium).
The Bavarian Consumption Study of 1997 found a widespread deficiency in fluoride, iodine, zinc and fiber. In addition, many people lack thevitamins AC, D and E.
Even the DGE (German Nutrition Society), whose very low recommendations form the basis for the minimum-dose vitamin/mineral supplements available in Germany, has identified "nutrient deficiencies in individual population groups". This statement alone can be seen as a declaration of bankruptcy of the DGE's policy in recent years.
According to American studies, many babies and infants are even considered "malnourished".
The British "Boyd Orr" study revealed serious effects of an early nutritional deficiency. Those who eat too few vitamins and other nutrients as a child have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer later on.
Dutch studies (Rotterdam Study) have shown that, for examplevitamin Cand E are able to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
From 1985 to 1989, 23,000 representatively selected consumers took part in the national German Consumption Study (VERA). Results included: 49% of women (19-35 years) suffered from vitamin C deficiency, 66% from vitamin B12 deficiency, 99% from folic acid deficiency, 76% from vitamin B6 deficiency
This list goes on and on!
Do you still believe that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals every day?
Food supplements are foods that contain one or more nutrients in concentrated form and are in a form that is not typical of food (tablets, capsules, etc.). They are intended to supplement the daily diet in cases where the dietary supply is inadequate or a supplement is desired.
Who needs food supplements?
Food supplements are particularly recommended for people who, due to environmental toxins, an unbalanced diet, unhealthy behavior (smoking, alcohol, stress, taking medication, etc.), obesity, age or gender-specific characteristics or high physical stress (sport, hard physical work), have a high consumption of e.g.vitaminsand minerals (which cannot be covered by normal food intake). Other groups are pregnant women, frequent flyers (due to "jet lag") and exam candidates (due to high psychological stress). Special dietary supplements can also be used to reduce body weight, for example.reduce body weightor to build up muscle mass in a short timebuild up muscle mass in a short timeand thus increase and maintain the body's performance in every respect.
Why do we need nutritional supplements?
So-called "nutrition-related diseases" are on the rise in most countries of the western world (especially Germany and Austria). Many people suffer from diffuse complaints such as lack of concentration, digestive disorders, fatigue or "burnout syndrome". Few people realize that these complaints/illnesses are linked tomalnutritioncould have to do with malnutrition. Even those who manage to follow the recommendations of the DGE (German Nutrition Society) and eat fruit or vegetables 4-6 times a day are not supplied with a sufficient amount of essential vitamins and minerals. One of the reasons for this is "intensive farming". This provides us with food that looks fresh for a long time, lasts longer and is increasingly large in size. An undesirable side effect is that vegetables have an unnaturally high water and protein content. In other words, they look nice but contain far fewer vitamins and trace elements than they used to. Broccoli, for example, has lost 68% of its calcium content since 1985. Potatoes have lost over a third of their magnesium, and the "daily apple" ("An apple a day keeps the doctor away") now only contains around 20% of its original "health power". This is exacerbated by the long transportation routes and storage times of fruit and vegetables on their way from the farmer to the supermarket. Preparation methods, such as cooking, then finally destroy the vitamins and minerals.
###PRODUCT###
What scientific studies are there to support the need for dietary supplements?
There are hundreds of studies from all over the world as evidence. Here is just a very small selection:
The Swiss Nutrition Report from 1998 states that "as food markets become more globalized, nutrient deficiencies may arise". In the same report, insufficient coverage of several essential nutrients is noted (includingvitamins B1, B2, B6,Das well as iodine and calcium).
The Bavarian Consumption Study of 1997 found a widespread deficiency in fluoride, iodine, zinc and fiber. In addition, many people lack thevitamins AC, D and E.
Even the DGE (German Nutrition Society), whose very low recommendations form the basis for the minimum-dose vitamin/mineral supplements available in Germany, has identified "nutrient deficiencies in individual population groups". This statement alone can be seen as a declaration of bankruptcy of the DGE's policy in recent years.
According to American studies, many babies and infants are even considered "malnourished".
The British "Boyd Orr" study revealed serious effects of an early nutritional deficiency. Those who eat too few vitamins and other nutrients as a child have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer later on.
Dutch studies (Rotterdam Study) have shown that, for examplevitamin Cand E are able to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
From 1985 to 1989, 23,000 representatively selected consumers took part in the national German Consumption Study (VERA). Results included: 49% of women (19-35 years) suffered from vitamin C deficiency, 66% from vitamin B12 deficiency, 99% from folic acid deficiency, 76% from vitamin B6 deficiency
This list goes on and on!
Do you still believe that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals every day?
Can food supplements replace a healthy diet?
Clearly NO!!! If you really want to be healthy and fit in the long term, you shouldn't just rely onfood supplementssupplements. There is no alternative to a healthy, balanced diet. Fruit and vegetables contain many substances that are vital but are not contained in food supplements. The purpose of food supplements is to provide the body with what cannot be obtained from food, or only in insufficient quantities. Anyone who thinks they can justify an extremely unhealthy lifestyle by taking food supplements is on the wrong track.
What food supplements are available?
The range of dietary supplements is almost inexhaustible. In all our tips & information and the products we sell, we focus on the following areas vitamins, minerals,dietary productsandmuscle building products.
Why is it not possible to buy MANY dietary supplements in stores or pharmacies in Germany, and if so, why are they much more expensive than in other EU countries?
Alongside Austria and Switzerland, Germany is an exception in Europe! Whether a food supplement (e.g. a vitamin C preparation) is approved in Germany or not depends on the ingredients and their dosage. The dosage of vitamins/mineral supplements is based on the guidelines of the DGE (German Nutrition Society). The DGE has set maximum levels for vitamins/mineral supplements that are considered to be MUCH TOO LOW by recognized nutrition experts and doctors around the world. As a result, higher-dose preparations are considered to be medicines and may only be sold in pharmacies.
Example: If a tablet contains 290mg of vitamin C, it is legally considered a food supplement that can be sold anywhere in Germany. At 300mg per capsule, it is a medicine. However, medicines have to undergo various legally prescribed tests before they can be sold (which of course makes sense for "real" medicines!!!). As these tests cost many millions of euros and it is not possible to earn nearly as much money with vitamin/mineral preparations as with medicines, the large pharmaceutical companies almost completely refrain from developing such products. The approval costs are simply too high. The products that are approved are correspondingly expensive and are only sold in pharmacies. In most other European countries, the maximum quantities are SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER or there are none at all (an initiative is currently being prepared at EU level to standardize the quantities in Europe). As a result, food supplements of any composition can be sold here completely freely and much more cheaply than in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
What good are food supplements (especially vitamin supplements) from German supermarkets?
There is no general answer to this question. However, it can be said with certainty that the vitamin/mineral products that can be bought in German supermarkets are only available in very low doses (due to the restrictive German laws - see question above). The amounts of vitamins and minerals contained in most German vitamin/mineral products are so low that the best they can do is prevent "scurvy" (a disease that occurs with severe vitamin deficiency). The positive effects of high-dose preparations cannot be achieved with "supermarket supplements".
Is it advisable to buy food supplements from the USA?
If you order such products in the USA, you should bear the following in mind:
Clearly NO!!! If you really want to be healthy and fit in the long term, you shouldn't just rely onfood supplementssupplements. There is no alternative to a healthy, balanced diet. Fruit and vegetables contain many substances that are vital but are not contained in food supplements. The purpose of food supplements is to provide the body with what cannot be obtained from food, or only in insufficient quantities. Anyone who thinks they can justify an extremely unhealthy lifestyle by taking food supplements is on the wrong track.
What food supplements are available?
The range of dietary supplements is almost inexhaustible. In all our tips & information and the products we sell, we focus on the following areas vitamins, minerals,dietary productsandmuscle building products.
Why is it not possible to buy MANY dietary supplements in stores or pharmacies in Germany, and if so, why are they much more expensive than in other EU countries?
Alongside Austria and Switzerland, Germany is an exception in Europe! Whether a food supplement (e.g. a vitamin C preparation) is approved in Germany or not depends on the ingredients and their dosage. The dosage of vitamins/mineral supplements is based on the guidelines of the DGE (German Nutrition Society). The DGE has set maximum levels for vitamins/mineral supplements that are considered to be MUCH TOO LOW by recognized nutrition experts and doctors around the world. As a result, higher-dose preparations are considered to be medicines and may only be sold in pharmacies.
Example: If a tablet contains 290mg of vitamin C, it is legally considered a food supplement that can be sold anywhere in Germany. At 300mg per capsule, it is a medicine. However, medicines have to undergo various legally prescribed tests before they can be sold (which of course makes sense for "real" medicines!!!). As these tests cost many millions of euros and it is not possible to earn nearly as much money with vitamin/mineral preparations as with medicines, the large pharmaceutical companies almost completely refrain from developing such products. The approval costs are simply too high. The products that are approved are correspondingly expensive and are only sold in pharmacies. In most other European countries, the maximum quantities are SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER or there are none at all (an initiative is currently being prepared at EU level to standardize the quantities in Europe). As a result, food supplements of any composition can be sold here completely freely and much more cheaply than in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
What good are food supplements (especially vitamin supplements) from German supermarkets?
There is no general answer to this question. However, it can be said with certainty that the vitamin/mineral products that can be bought in German supermarkets are only available in very low doses (due to the restrictive German laws - see question above). The amounts of vitamins and minerals contained in most German vitamin/mineral products are so low that the best they can do is prevent "scurvy" (a disease that occurs with severe vitamin deficiency). The positive effects of high-dose preparations cannot be achieved with "supermarket supplements".
Is it advisable to buy food supplements from the USA?
If you order such products in the USA, you should bear the following in mind:
Food supplements that are not allowed to be sold freely in Germany are confiscated at German customs, destroyed or sent back to the USA at the customer's expense. As payment must almost always be made in advance by credit card, not only the ordered goods but also the money is lost!
It often takes many weeks or even months for the goods to arrive (if goods are sent by normal post). If the package is sent by parcel service (UPS, DHL, etc.), very high delivery costs are incurred, about which customers are usually not informed in advance.
In the event of a complaint, there are high costs for returning the goods and processing a complaint can take months.
Which dietary supplements should I take?
This question is not so easy to answer. However, you should know that 70% of all illnesses today are classified as nutrition-related. The main risk factor here is vitamin and trace element deficiency. People who exercise regularly also lose vitamins and minerals to a particularly high degree.The detailed product descriptions in our online store provide an answer to individual needs.
Why is the exact mode of action of most food supplements NOT stated on the packaging?
In contrast to medicines, where the mode of action must be stated in the package insert, it is even forbidden in Germany to state the mode of action of a food supplement!!! This leads to the paradoxical situation that some medicines, whose mode of action is very doubtful, are allowed to advertise with promises of efficacy that have not been scientifically proven, while food supplements, for example, whose mode of action has been established beyond doubt (which of course does not apply to all of them) are not allowed to include these findings on the packaging.
Sources:
It often takes many weeks or even months for the goods to arrive (if goods are sent by normal post). If the package is sent by parcel service (UPS, DHL, etc.), very high delivery costs are incurred, about which customers are usually not informed in advance.
In the event of a complaint, there are high costs for returning the goods and processing a complaint can take months.
Which dietary supplements should I take?
This question is not so easy to answer. However, you should know that 70% of all illnesses today are classified as nutrition-related. The main risk factor here is vitamin and trace element deficiency. People who exercise regularly also lose vitamins and minerals to a particularly high degree.The detailed product descriptions in our online store provide an answer to individual needs.
Why is the exact mode of action of most food supplements NOT stated on the packaging?
In contrast to medicines, where the mode of action must be stated in the package insert, it is even forbidden in Germany to state the mode of action of a food supplement!!! This leads to the paradoxical situation that some medicines, whose mode of action is very doubtful, are allowed to advertise with promises of efficacy that have not been scientifically proven, while food supplements, for example, whose mode of action has been established beyond doubt (which of course does not apply to all of them) are not allowed to include these findings on the packaging.
Sources:
- BGVV - Federal Institute for Consumer Health Protection and Veterinary Medicine
- Official Journal of the European Communities - Directive 2002/46/EC
- Dr. Jackson Stockwell - "The secret of a long and healthy life"
- Dr. Ulrich Strunz/A.Jopp - "The vitamin revolution"
- Klaus Oberbeil - "Fit through vitamins"
- A. Jopp - "Vitamin deficiency as a risk factor"
Rechtshinweis: The information given here is a general description. It comes from various sources and makes no claim to completeness or accuracy. It is for information purposes only and does not necessarily allow any conclusions to be drawn about the effect of the products mentioned.
- Official Journal of the European Communities - Directive 2002/46/EC
- Dr. Jackson Stockwell - "The secret of a long and healthy life"
- Dr. Ulrich Strunz/A.Jopp - "The vitamin revolution"
- Klaus Oberbeil - "Fit through vitamins"
- A. Jopp - "Vitamin deficiency as a risk factor"
Rechtshinweis: The information given here is a general description. It comes from various sources and makes no claim to completeness or accuracy. It is for information purposes only and does not necessarily allow any conclusions to be drawn about the effect of the products mentioned.