Food supplements have become popular due to the claim that they help in weight loss, body building, maintain a healthy body and even cure some illness.but what exactly are they?

Food supplements also known as  dietary supplements or nutritional supplements, are  preparations intended to provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids or amino acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person’s diet.

These vary in function, for example; body building supplements are taken by body builders to gain muscles. Body builders often take a powdered form of protein, the essential building blocks for muscle. Protein powder is generally consumed immediately before and after exercising, or in place of a meal.

We live in the dot com era where women claim that slim is the way to go hence, the introduction of sliming capsules that enable women to lose weight in one month.

For health reasons, food supplements are known to enhance the body with various ingredients that boost some human organs, for instance the human brain. Lately on the market the "brain enhancer” that improves memory strength and retard aging has become common. 

Often complications due to heart, kidney, liver, diabetic or intestines failure will require the consumption of food supplements. 

Additionally, back aches can be treated by simply taking calcium powder that is believed to harden bones.

In Rwanda, groups like GNLD and Green World provide food supplements to an ever increasing consumer population. 

On the other hand, it’s important to note that food supplements cannot replace a healthy diet. They only supplement a diet that is otherwise lacking in certain nutrients.

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