Their role is to supplement the common diet, as they constitute a concentrated source of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals or other substances like amino acids, essential fatty acids, fiber, and plant-derived extracts, etc.

Nutraceuticals can therefore be a valid ally for your daily well-being, helping you in all those cases where micro-deficiencies can form that in the long run can lead to serious

Dietary supplements provide the necessary nutrients to complete a suboptimal diet and can help compensate for a nutritional deficiency that cannot be resolved by varying the usual diet. Dietary supplements are designed to ensure the physiological well-being of the body, complementing (and not replacing) a balanced diet. In general, it is recommended to take supplements in case of a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, specific nutrients, or in case of an increased need for them, such as following intense physical activity.

Here are some situations where it may be necessary to supplement the diet with supplements:

• Nutritional deficiencies: Some pathological disorders or alterations in absorption can cause deficiencies of specific nutrients. In such cases, supplements may be useful to fill these gaps.
• Eating disorders or pathological conditions: during periods of illness, nutritional intake may decrease. Supplements can provide the necessary nutrients to promote a swift recovery.
• Specific dietary choices: Some dietary choices may require the supplementation of specific missing nutrients. In these cases, supplements can be used to ensure adequate intake.
  
  Nutritional supplements allow for covering a wide range of specific needs:
• multivitamins to regain shape and vitality
• metabolism control
• probiotics and prebiotics for general well-being
• improve digestion
• immune defenses
• antistress and sleep regulation

Natural supplements allow the body to introduce only substances that it recognizes as coming from a natural source. Digestion thus occurs much more easily, and the chances of experiencing undesirable effects are drastically reduced (which we might instead encounter more easily in the case of chemically formulated supplements).

"It is possible to rely on various dietary supplements to increase and diversify the intake of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, provided that they are of good quality."

Furthermore, the combination of certain supplements can be effective in benefiting from a synergistic action that will maximize the expected effects.

Certainly, it is necessary to respect the recommended dosage to benefit from a healthy and safe supplementation.

Overall, supplements can be combined for:

• Address a specific issue in a synergistic manner
• Addressing multiple nutritional needs simultaneously
  

N.B. It is always important to rely on the assistance of a professional in the field to avoid the accumulation of the same assets and to prevent the association of antagonistic supplements.

Although this is a fairly complex topic, it is possible to provide some general guidelines and answer some frequently asked questions. In particular, people often wonder whether supplements should be taken on a full or empty stomach.

Should supplements be taken before, during, or after meals? Vitamin supplements, omega 3s, and proteins are nutrients, so they can be taken during meals.

When to take multivitamin supplements? Multivitamins can provide an energy boost, so it is advisable to take them at breakfast or lunch and avoid them in the evening.

How long can supplements be taken? If the supplements have been chosen correctly and are not aimed at managing a symptom but at optimizing metabolism, they can be taken continuously.

Can they be taken together? Generally yes, as they are nutrients and are found mixed naturally in foods. The combination of supplements is not dangerous at all. In fact, some are recommended to be taken together, precisely for their synergistic action.

How to use protein powder? The best time to take it is right after the workout, when the muscles need to recover.

"Integration can be continuous over time if evaluated in a preventive manner and/or aimed at addressing specific nutritional needs. A dosage that fully meets the recommended daily dose has no side effects of any kind and rewards quality."