adminWhen taken appropriately, nutritional supplements can provide exactly that: extra nutrients your body needs that you aren’t getting from your diet. In this case, supplements are an intelligent, healthy way to nourish your body. However, nutritional supplements pose a significant health risk to the public if you think that all supplements are created equal and safe.
Myth 1: “Supplements are bad for you”
Nutritional supplements are created to improve your health and maximise the function of your body. But too much of anything can lead to health issues. In many instances critical nutrients are deficient from poor dietary choices and a nutritional supplement can help.
Typically, supplements are not harmful if taken as recommended. They offer a variety of vital nutrients — like vitamins, minerals, “good” fats, antioxidants, amino acids and more.
If you’re unsure, meet with your physician prior to choosing a nutritional supplement. Also, do not to mix supplements with prescription medications without first consulting your doctor.
Myth 2: “Vitamin C is Vitamin C”
Synthetic vitamins (or vitamins created in a lab) are not the same as whole food. In fact, they can do more harm than good. Synthetics are considered to be isolates.
This means they do not offer the equal nutritional value as the nutrient found in real food. Real food not only has the vitamin or mineral but also provides additional health benefits.
For instance, natural forms of vitamin E contain a complex blend of tocopherols and tocotrienols (along with other trace elements), whereas some man-made vitamin E supplements only contain one tocopherol. The difference is that the synthetic vitamin E is only about half as active as the same amount of natural Vitamin E.
Man-made synthetic nutrients are often too concentrated. Supplements made in a lab often contain too much of one isolate.
The body typically processes this kind of supplement as a xenobiotic — a foreign substance — and the small intestines will prevent its absorption to protect cells from overload.
Many synthetic supplements lack quality
Many vitamin companies use filler ingredients to keep costs down. Read the labels and make sure to look for whole food ingredients. Avoid additives like hydrogenated oil, preservatives, artificial colours and flavours. Some manufacturers even use toxic fillers, such as titanium dioxide, that can build up in the body and potentially cause immune system failures.
In whole foods, however, a variety of naturally occurring substances work together to maximise nutrient absorption and effectiveness. Whole food supplements are made from concentrated fruits and vegetables; high-quality, organic products will offer the best nutrition. Antioxidants, enzymes, coenzymes, minerals and other compounds work together in supplement form to carry out jobs at the cellular level, just as they do in nature.
Myth 3: “I can get enough nutrients from the food I eat”
Many people ask, “If I eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, do I really need a supplement?”
The answer is yes. You can still benefit from a dietary supplement.
Unsustainable farming practices have removed vital nutrients from our soil. Today, some fruits and vegetables — like commercially grown pineapple, broccoli and cauliflower — have half as many minerals as they did 40 years ago.
This lack of nutrients can wreak havoc on the systems of your body. Dietary supplements can help make up for this nutrient deficiency to fuel the systems of your body, like digestion.
Lack of nutrients is commonly caused by deficient taste buds. We choose chips over carrots, muffins over apples, and soda over water. A supplement is meant to be a supplement to a healthy diet. Without the proper diet you can expect zero results, develop disease and waste all your money.
Myth 4: “Vitamins will cure me like a magic pill”
For a variety of ailments (stomach trouble, fatigue, headaches and acne), vitamin deficiency may only be part of a more complex problem.
Optimal health should be approached holistically. While vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements can be a significant part of your journey to optimal health, they cannot replace the value of a balanced, whole-food diet and daily activity.
Lifestyle factors — how much you sleep, how often you sit, your exposure to toxic substances — contribute to total health more than most people realise. When chosen carefully and taken in appropriate dosages, supplements can round out the nutrition portion of your total health.
But there isn’t anything magical about them. If you take care of yourself and your life — in all aspects — your overall level of health will improve.
Dietary supplements can play a vital role in a healthy diet. Food is more than meat, bread and vegetables. It fuels you. It rebuilds you. It even plays a role in disease prevention. By avoiding dangerous additives, preservatives and sugar, you can even turn your body into a cancer killing machine.
Myth 5: “Supplements are safer tha
prescriptions”
Many prescription medications are derived from natural products. One may experience very similar side effects from taking the wrong supplements. Herbs, vitamins and minerals have a very specific therapeutic value in conditions that are caused by deficiency.
Consult with a natural healthcare practitioner to determine if your condition is associated with your dietary choices, amount of stress or fitness level. Many health conditions can be prevented, treated or reversed through proper lifestyle intervention.
Prescription medication is commonly touted as a quick fix solution to high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, depression and most health conditions — but is it really the solution? Do not rely drugs, surgery, procedures and late disease detection to save you when you can take proactive steps to reverse the damaging effects of a poor lifestyle.
This column is directed by your questions, comments and inquiries. The health advice provided is in collaboration with the World Health Organisation’s and the International Diabetes Federation’s goals of prevention, maintenance and natural treatment of disease. The advice is for educational purposes and does not necessarily reflect endorsement. Visit their websites: www.who.int www.idf.org
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