You give your body the best of nature: crisp salads, fresh fish, and colorful fruits. But sometimes, even with the most generous shopping basket, the question arises: Am I really getting all the nutrients I need? Amidst the sea of ​​nutrition tips, one term stands out: dietary supplements. But what do they mean? In this article, we'll get to the bottom of this and many other questions.

As the name suggests, dietary supplements are intended to complement a healthy diet, not replace it. Their primary purpose is to fill any nutritional gaps. But when and why should we actually use them?

Why dietary supplements are so widely used

Whether due to certain life circumstances, health challenges or specific eating habits – dietary supplements can help to compensate for specific nutrient deficiencies.

In cases of conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, it can be difficult to get all the necessary nutrients from food. This is where dietary supplements can make a difference without placing additional strain on the body.

Diets, especially if they are ill-considered, can also lead to deficiencies. For example, avoiding animal products can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in vegans. Dietary supplements can bridge this gap, balancing ethics and health.

Sometimes it is even the living conditions themselves – from intense physical activity to certain living conditions – that bring with them special nutritional needs.

Nutrients in focus: The consequences of deficiencies

Each nutrient plays a specific role in our body's complex system. A deficiency can disrupt this system and lead to serious consequences:

• Vitamin A: Essential for our eyes and cell growth. A deficiency can lead to night blindness and a weak immune system.
• Vitamin D: Strengthens bones and the immune system. A deficiency risks bone weakness and osteoporosis.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C, which became known through scurvy among sailors, is important for skin, bones, and blood vessels. A deficiency can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and skin bleeding.
• Vitamin B12: Essential for nerves and red blood cells. A deficiency can cause fatigue and nerve problems.
• Iron: Iron is a mineral essential for the formation of hemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, and weakness.
• Calcium: It's important for our bone and tooth structure, as well as for muscle contraction. A deficiency can lead to bone weakness and, consequently, an increased risk of fractures.
• Iodine: Required for the production of thyroid hormones. A deficiency can lead to goiter and mental retardation.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: They are partly responsible for healthy brain function and the inhibition of inflammation. A deficiency can increase the risk of heart disease and impair brain function.
• …and many more.

While a balanced diet is key to avoiding deficiencies, sometimes excessive doses of certain nutrients can also be problematic. Therefore, you should definitely avoid taking supplements unless you are sure you truly need them. Especially when it comes to supplements, the rule of thumb "more is better" should be safely ignored.

If you notice signs of a nutrient deficiency, it's important to consult a doctor. They can provide advice, conduct tests, and recommend appropriate supplements. However, you should carefully select the supplier from whom you purchase your supplements.

Dietary supplements are available in all shapes, sizes, and qualities. Manufacturers focus on very different things. From providing individual, concentrated nutrients to comprehensive formulations covering a wide range of different nutrients, to nutrient combinations aimed at a specific problem, such as sleep patterns, the dietary supplement market is broad.

This makes it all the more important to familiarize yourself with the provider, their products, and the quality of the supplements. Below, we introduce you to our sister company, "Holistic Heroes," which is dedicated to promoting and improving your well-being with the right nutrients.

Holistic Heroes - Your hero among nutritional supplements

Holistic Heroes stands for more than just nutritional supplements. As a company, they embody the idea that our body is a holistic system that requires support on many levels. As the term "holistic" suggests, it's about considering the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

With different nutrient compositions, Holistic Heroes offers the solution to three of the most fundamental problems. "Super Essential" provides you with the most important vitamins, nutrients, and trace elements to keep your immune system strong and flexible. "Deep Sleep" with ashwagandha, melatonin, and acerola finally allows you to truly regenerate, and the berry-red "Super Amino" provides your body with essential amino acids and electrolytes for your active lifestyle.

Holistic Heroes not only values ​​the quality and naturalness of its ingredients, but also their bioavailability and unique taste. Holistic Heroes is also committed to environmental protection, with a particular focus on the role of bees.

Through its collaboration with "MY HONEY," Holistic Heroes actively supports the well-being of bees and nature. This partnership even resulted in the creation of the in-house Holistic Heroes beehive, complete with bee colony, which actively provides life and many hardworking workers to nature.