Overview of Vitamins,

Supplements, and Herbs

Sonseeharay Tunis-Roberson
Kaplan-Purdue University
 Introduction
• The body is generally able to obtain the necessary
nutrients by consuming a well-balanced diet.
However, sometimes nutrition therapy is needed.
• According to Schlenker and Roth (2011), nutrition
therapy plays a major role in disease management,
health care, and preventive health care.
• Vitamins, supplements, and herbs can be used as a
part of nutrition therapy.
 Vitamins

• Vitamins supplements have become very popular

particularly as a result of vitamin deficiencies.
• Most individuals take specific vitamin supplements for
specific reasons.
• Every vitamin has different qualities that are needed in
the human body to help promote full and thriving health.
 Vitamins cont.
• Common vitamins that are supplemented:
• Vitamin C
• A water-soluble vitamin that is an antioxidant and
boosts the immune system.
• B Vitamins
• They convert food to energy and keep helps the body
to perform at its best.
• Vitamin D
• Promotes bone growth and assists in providing energy.
 Supplements

• Nutritional supplements are condensed sources of nutrients

and/or other substances that effect the nutritional or
physiological aspect of an individual and supplement the
individual’s normal diet (Piccardi & Manissier, 2009).
• Supplements generally used to enhance one’s diet and help
them to live a higher quality life.
 Supplements
cont.
• Types of supplements
• Vitamins and minerals
• Specialized supplements
(such as probiotics,
fiber, Omega-3)
• Herbs
• Weight management
 Herbs
• Herbs add great flavor to foods as well as offer
health benefits to those who consume them.
• Can be consumed through food items,
supplements, and teas.
• Each form that herbs are consumed (fresh, dried
and consumed via teas and/or supplements)
offer different benefits and different dosages.
 Herbs cont.
• Examples of herbs and their benefits:
• Turmeric has been used in Chinese as well as Ayurvedic medicine to
treat menstrual disorders, colic, inflammation, bruising, dyspepsia,
hematuria, and gas as well as to improve stomach and liver function
(Skidmore-Roth, 2010).
• Astragalus is used in Chinese Medicine to help improve immune
functions, is thought to be an aphrodisiac, and is used to treat
bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colds, flu,
gastrointestinal conditions, weakness, fatigue, chronic hepatitis, ulcers,
hypertension, and viral myocarditis (Skidmore-Roth, 2010).
 Conclusion
• Vitamins, supplements, and herbs can be used to help achieve and
maintain a healthy and high-quality life.
• Always take the time to research information on the vitamins,
supplements, and herbs that you are interested in taking to ensure
you can safely consume it (as they can have a different effect on
each individual and may have a negative interaction with any medical
condition you are experiencing or medication you are taking).
• Lastly, enjoy nature’s gifts (vitamins and herbs) to us!
 Want to Learn More on The Topic?
• Here are some sources to refer to if you are interested in learning
more about vitamins, supplements, and/or herbs:
• NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM): https://nccih.nih.gov/
• Reviews of articles on medicinal herbs: https://eds-b-ebscohost-
com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=c7dc935f-
cec1-4da7-97f6-e2e995c2b6d7%40sessionmgr120
• How to Change Your Life with Vitamins – webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxB2qsYNPGc
 Reference
• Piccardi, N. and Manissier, P. (2009). Nutrition and nutritional supplementation
Impact on skin health and beauty. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836433/
• Schlenker, Roth. (2011). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th
Edition. [Kaplan]. Retrieved from https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/978-0-
323-06860-4/
• Skidmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural
Supplements, 4th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from
http://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780323057417