In the olden days, people got the essential vitamins and minerals that they needed from natural sources – the water, the sun, and unadulterated food that they ate. Vitamins and minerals are needed – perennially- whether it be by generations from the past, the present and the future. But in our present technology- driven, convenience-seeking society, where do we get the vitamins and minerals that we need? The food that we eat and the water that we drink are not as abundant in vitamins and minerals than they were in the good ol’ days.The food that we eat are basically chemical and preservative-ridden and they diminish the natural nutrition that we are supposed to get from them.
They may even gradually poison us. And the soil where our food is grown is not as rich as it used to be. Even the transportation of our food products deplete its vitamin and mineral content. One of the ultimate solutions then is to resort to vitamin supplements. The American Medical Association (AMA) advised all adults to take at least one multi-vitamin supplement a day which is contrary to their long standing anti-vitamin policy. This policy change was instigated by researches on the effects of vitamin supplements. Individuals who adequately take vitamin supplements were found to have lower risks of getting serious illnesses such as osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer.
Twenty years ago, the AMA advised only pregnant women and those who are chronically ill to take vitamin supplements. A decade or so ago, there is a barrage of vitamin supplements that have never been heard of. But now, it is common knowledge that vitamin supplements are essential. Like for instance, it is now not new to the majority that folic acid is necessary in preventing birth defects and heart disease. Certainly, folic acid was never heard of two or three decades ago. The way we eat also contributes to the degeneration of our vitamin and mineral intake. Eighty percent of Americans do not have a healthy diet such as the recommended five servings of vegetables and fruits a day according to the AMA.
This only proves how essential it is to take vitamin supplements to augment our need for essential nutrients. Doctors and scientists are aware of this fact. More research also indicate that the RDA for vitamins and minerals needs to be modified as they are not enough. According to nutrition experts, the RDA for vitamins and minerals are too low, a fact supported by Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of the Human Nutrition Research and Aging in Tuft’s University. There is growing evidence that higher levels of many vitamins (whether from food or vitamin supplements) prevent vitamin-deficiency disorders and are necessary for optimum health.
Through our growing-up years, we had the common notion that having a reasonable diet would suffice for our vitamin and mineral requirements. But Dr. Robert Fletcher of Harvard University agrees that we need to take vitamin supplements to boost our body’s vitamin and mineral content. Fletcher adds that there is more evidence in researches that indicate that vitamins prevent the usual diseases that we cope with everyday, like birth defects, heart diseases, cancer and osteoporosis. But let us always consider the fact that vitamin supplements are “supplements” to our diet. A balanced diet is still recommended to lower risks of acquiring the chronic illnesses of our time.
Balanced diet is foremost, coupled with vitamin supplements. Both are necessary to be at the peak of our health.
By: Dr. Rose Windale
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The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.
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