Supplements

Free radical: Compounds with unpaired electrons that are highly unstable and reactive that
tend to oxidise and damage bodily compounds. They are produced as part of our bodys
metabolism by-product (usually removed by anti-oxidants).
-Can also be due to environmental factors eg. UV radiation, tobacco
-Oxidative stress is when anti-oxidant activity is overwhelmed due to disease or inadequacy.
-Free-radical activity contributes to disease: eg. Oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids lead to damaged or altered proteinsimpaired cell function and
inflammationabsence/excess of specific proteins, genomic instabilitycell damage,
disease and aging
Antioxidants: Compounds that scavenge free radicals to their formation and damage
-Can repair free radical activity by reversing damaging reactions
*Phytochemicals: some are potent anti-oxidants (eg. Catechin inhibit aromatase in various
cancers)
-Cancer: Genistein (isoflavone) inhibits tyrosine kinase activity
-Heart disease: Vitamin E and Vitamin C against LDL, raise HDL, lowers total cholesterol,
reduce inflammation, etc.
*Phytosterol: eg. -sitosterol
Inhibit cholesterol absorption through competition
Functional food: Food that provide health benefits beyond nutrients
Supplements:
-Calcium supplements: best from food; supplement from antacids, bone powder, etc.
Small doses are better absorbed
-Iron supplement: ferrous form or iron chelate, vitamin C only enhances food iron
absorption!
Dont take with tea, milk or coffee
Side effect on constipation
Benefits: correct overt deficiencies, some people need it (pregnant, deficient, illness),
improve nutrition status (eg. In malnutrition places), reduce risk of diseases
-Deficiencies
Below energy intake
Vegans
Atrophic gastritis (vitamin B12)
Lactose intolerant people (calcium)
Certain stages in life cycle: Pregnant (folate, iron), children (iron, fluoride), elderly (vitamin
D and B12)
People with diseases, surgery
People with medication that suppress ability to absorb nutrients normally

Disadvantages: toxicity risk

false sense of security
Life-threatening misinformation
Bioavailability and absorption
Invalid reasons: food and soil contain inadequate nutrients, supplements prevent disease,
supplements improve muscle function without more work-out, help with stress, provide
energy
Misleading claims: high potency claims, alcohol in ingredient, organic/natural, cost
Supplements: not as bioavailable as from food
Labels:
-Lack of nutrient cause deficiency and prevalence
-Health statement scientifically proven
-Diagnose, cure common complaints NOT specific ailments
-Structure-function claims eg. Role nutrient plays in body, how it functions, how it
contributes to general wellbeing
Regulation:
FSANZ: food safety
TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration): medicine and medical devices
-ensure quality, safety, efficacy and performance
-regulate criteria for labelling
-assess complementary medicine (vitamin, mineral, herbal, homeopathic) and cosmetics that
have therapeutic claims