Vitamin & Mineral Supplements – A Necessity in the Modern World
There is increasing confusion today as to whether vitamin and mineral supplements are really necessary if we are eating a good diet. If this is the case, why is it that degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise? In fact, a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2002 concluded “Inadequate intake of several vitamins has been linked to chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis.”
In this article we explore reasons why supplementation may be required to ensure a long and healthy life.
Increased Pollution Levels
Modern agriculture and farming techniques have been accompanied by ever increasing levels of pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics in the food chain and water supply We are also exposed to high levels of harmful substances in the form of air pollution, radiation from microwaves, mobile phones, computers, etc, not to mention the cocktail of chemicals in cosmetics, shampoos, cleaning products and clothing, etc. All these substances are foreign to the body and need to be broken down and excreted by our body’s detoxification systems. Our main organs of detoxification are the liver, bowel, lungs and kidneys. These systems require certain nutrients such as vitamin B and C, zinc, selenium and other antioxidants to function effectively. Increased exposure to these foreign substances increases our body’s needs for these substances.
Changing Dietary Trends
Our intake of refined foods such as white breads and sugar and unhealthy fats such as chips and deep fried foods continues to increase. A recent survey of Australian children and adolescents found that fast foods, fruit/cordial drinks and sweets contributed to 41% of total energy intake. While natural foods such as fruits and vegetables are full of important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which support our detoxification systems, these processed foods are very low in these important nutrients. As a result, many people may be are risk of developing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Nutrient deficient soil
Australian soil is deficient in important minerals such as selenium and zinc, which are crucial for our health. Low selenium levels in particular are linked to increased cancer risk and lowered immune function. Zinc is also extremely important for healthy digestion, immune function, skin, hormones and energy production. • Prolonged Storage: These days we all rely on supermarkets and other stores to supply our dietary needs. These foods are often stored for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, storage of fresh foods reduces their vitamin and mineral content.
Stress
Stress related illnesses are one of the biggest health concerns in modern society. Scientific research is now validating that stress has a considerable influence on our body’s physiology, contributing to many acute and chronic illnesses. A report by the World Bank stated that 1 in 5 people suffer from depression or anxiety. Increasing levels of physical, mental and emotional stress increase the need for particular nutrients, including B vitamins, magnesium and vitamin C.
Smoking
Smokers are particularly at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies due to the array of chemicals in cigarettes. In addition, smoking significantly increases the need for vitamin C – a vital antioxidant.
Diuretics
Substances such as coffee, tea and alcohol act as diuretics. Diuretics increase the rate of fluid elimination from the body. This results in increased elimination of vitamins and minerals, particularly water soluble vitamins such as vitamin B and C.
Medications
Oral contraceptive pills, blood pressure, cholesterol antidepressants and other medications increase the need for certain nutrients. For example, cholesterol medications increase the body’s need for Coenzyme Q10 an important antioxidant which is required for heart health and energy production. The oral contraceptive pill causes the body to excrete B vitamins and zinc and retain copper.
In conclusion, supplements are now an important prescription to stay healthy in an increasingly polluted and hectic world. Whilst there is a multitude of different supplements available to choose from, it is important to realize that all supplements are not equal in quality. In addition, we are all individuals with ever changing requirements. As a result, it is important to find the right combination of supplements to meet your individual needs. If in doubt if may be useful to seek professional advice from a naturopath who can design a supplement regime for your specific needs.…
In relation to pregnancy nutrition, mothers-to-be should contemplate supplementing with complete food vitamins. Most B-vitamins should be consumed day by day, as any excess is speedily excreted in the urine. Good sources embody potatoes, bananas, lentils, chile peppers, brewer’s yeast, complete food supplements, molasses, tuna, animal livers and meat. For the more omnivorous amongst us, good sources are fish, meat, poultry and eggs.\n\nEssentially the most broadly obtainable source of this nutrient is lecithin, which may be derived from soy or egg yolks – in reality, the phosphatidyl choline part of this substance is so great that the two terms are generally used interchangeably. As with plenty of the vitamins, Vitamin E is the collective title for a set of related tocopherols and their corresponding tocotrienols, which have been tied to colon, heart, prostate and immune system health.
They tell us we are what we eat and that could be a scary thought considering the way in which many of us indulge nowadays. For the reason that vitamin B12 cannot be produced by vegetable sources, deficiency in this nutrient is of explicit concern for vegetarians, who must get it by consuming supplements or fortified breakfast cereals to avoid attainable sick consequences on health.
There is a substantial difference between complete food vitamins and synthetic vitamins. A vitamin is made up of tremendously advanced organic matter, which our body needs in small amounts yet it’s critical for life and metabolic processes. On the contrary, complete natural foods and food supplements (if properly processed) are alive. Nonfood (synthetic) supplements have a limited effect compared to their natural advanced counterparts found in complete foods.\n\nSome massive news about vitamins not working – and even causing harm – has been all around the airways just lately, so I reached out to T. Colin Campbell, creator of the new bestseller Complete: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, who has been saying as much for years.\n\nThey are created from nutritious complete vegetation and fruits, corresponding to blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, apricots, papaya, oranges, grapes, pineapples, plums, bilberry, seaweed, kale, spinach, wheat grass, brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, beets, carrots, parsley, cabbage, cauliflower, organic mushrooms and garlic.\n\nThere’s one thing that no person is disputing, and that’s the importance of a healthy, nicely-rounded food plan replete in fruit, orange, yellow and dark green leafy vegetables, complete grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, prime quality carbohydrates and lean proteins and supplementation from complete food supplements.\n\nThe fat-soluble vitamins embody vitamins A, D, E and Ok. As a result of they are soluble in fat (known as lipids), most of these vitamins tend to build up in fat tissues, fat deposits, and the liver making the fat-soluble vitamins doubtlessly toxic when consuming high doses of synthetic versions of these specific vitamins.
When you’ve never stepped foot inside a health food store before, you could find the array of products, labels and promises daunting. You can do this by listing the benefits of using your brand and will entice prospects by offering freebies which might be useful. It helps folks turn into acquainted with your brand and will help them choose your brand the following time they buy vitamin or supplements.
The antioxidant vitamins found in fruits, vegetables, teas and supplements are proving to be powerful agents in the battle in opposition to disease causing free radicals. Organic complete food vitamin supplement is due to this fact really helpful by most health care professionals and taking your day by day vitamins from complete food is healthier than synthetic supplements. Minerals corresponding to calcium carbonate, calcium citrate and other derivatives which might be derived from sea shells, rocks or coral are used in industrial supplements which might be geared toward rising your vitamin and mineral intake.\n\nNonetheless, lately, research has shown that Vitamins taken in larger doses can stop sever persistent ailments like cancer and heart disease. Another examine at the Heart for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta showed that taking Vitamin E along with multivitamins decreased threat from stroke and heart illness.\n\nAll of this implies strongly that eating a balanced, healthy diet with a wide range of foods corresponding to vegetables, fruits, fish, and complete grains you, more than likely, do not need to add any dietary supplements. Then again if, for whatever purpose, it’s not attainable for you to eat enough complete foods in your day by day meals than a supplement could very nicely be right for you.