Numerous medical conditions may be treated with dietary supplements. According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, most American adults take one or more dietary supplements every day -- including vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals, amino acids and enzymes. Dietary supplements come in numerous forms: capsules, tablets, powders, energy bars and drinks. Dietary supplements may help treat certain medical conditions, especially conditions that are related to poor nutrition.
Peptic Ulcer
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, a peptic ulcer is a sore lining your stomach or duodenum. Your duodenum is the initial segment of your small intestine. The NIDDK says many people have peptic ulcers, and that some people may have gastric and duodenal ulcers at the same time. Common signs and symptoms associated with peptic ulcers include a burning pain in the stomach, weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, burping, vomiting and feeling sick to your stomach. Dr. Russell B. Marz, a naturopathic physician and author of the textbook "Medical Nutrition from Marz," states that certain supplements may be effective for treating peptic ulcers, including catechin, raw cabbage juice, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, glutamine and digestive enzymes.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is an adult medical condition that may be treated with supplements. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, says osteomalacia is softening of your bones due to a lack of vitamin D or a problem with your body's ability to break down and use vitamin D. The most common cause of osteomalacia is a lack of vitamin D in your diet, although other factors -- such as insufficient exposure to sunlight and intestinal malabsorption of vitamin D -- can also cause a deficiency of this vitamin. Common signs and symptoms associated with osteomalacia include bone fractures that happen with only minor trauma, muscle weakness, widespread bone pain, irregular heart rhythms and numbness around your mouth. According to MayoClinic.com, if you have osteomalacia, you may benefit from taking vitamin D supplements by mouth for several weeks to several months. You may also benefit from calcium and phosphorus dietary supplements.
Herpes Simplex
According to MedlinePlus, herpes simplex is a viral infection that usually affects your mouth and genital area. There are two principal types of herpes simplex: herpes simplex virus Type 1, or HSV-1, and herpes simplex virus 2, or HSV-2. HSV-1 is the most common herpes simplex virus, and many people develop it during childhood. HSV-2 is usually, but not always, sexually transmitted. Common signs and symptoms associated with herpes simplex include blisters or ulcers on your mouth, lips, gums or genitals, enlarged neck and groin lymph nodes, fever blisters and fever. Marz says numerous supplements may be effective for treating herpes simplex-related symptoms, including lysine, glycyrrhiza, quercetin, vitamin C, topical lithium succinate, topical vitamin E and zinc and selenium.
