Health Supplements-Types and Benefits

A hectic lifestyle, stress, imbalanced diet, and exposure to pollution are responsible are the main factors contributing to a fragile immune system and a weak body.
The popularity of health supplements has grown immensely due to public awareness and improved standard of living. While health supplements are beneficial, they can and should not be treated as replacement for a healthy diet.

Health supplements are divided into 5 main categories:

1. Probiotics and Antibiotics as health supplements:  Probiotic is a beneficial bacteria found in the intestines which help in digestion, boosting the immune system, reduction of cholesterol, prevent constipation etc. Common probiotics are-Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis,Lactobacillus acidophilus etc.
2. EFA health Supplements: Essential Fatty Acids are beneficial fatty acids derived from food sources and are essential for many metabolic processes, eg. Cell energy production, transmission of nerve impulses, cellular signalling etc. Common sources of EFA's are meat, vegetable oils (in regulated quantities), flaxseed oils and fish oil.
3. Daily complete vitamins as health supplements: Vitamins are micronutrients and are needed in small quantities by the body. Major vitamins include vitamin A and beta-carotene , vitamin B complex, folate, vitamins C, D, E and K.
4. Mineral supplements: Are micronutrients needed in small amounts. Minerals such as calcium is needed for strong bones, magnesium for absorption of  calcium, zinc and glutathione peroxinase for proper immune functions and vitamin E absorption. 
5. Enzyme health supplements: Enzymes speed up the chemical reaction process in order to assist in digestion, respiration, circulation and detoxification. Enzymes are of two types-digestive and antioxidant enzymes. Sources of enzymes are raw foods, sprouts, bananas, pineapple, wheat grass, dark green plants.