Is It Necessary to Take Nutritional Supplements

1. Is It Necessary to Take Nutritional Supplements? How many times have you heard that the food we eat provides us with all of the nutrients we require? How many of you are able to consume the necessary five servings of fruits and vegetables each day? You are not alone if you are unable to consume the required five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Two-thirds of Americans do not consume enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. With today's active lifestyles, consuming the correct balance of different sorts of meals required to receive all of the nutrients we require on a daily basis is nearly difficult. There are nutritional deficiencies in numerous nutrients in every country. The typical American diet is deficient in vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, folic acid, zinc, copper, calcium, iron, and magnesium.

2. According to a comprehensive nutritional survey conducted in 1994, most American women are only getting half of the daily recommended folic acid intake of 400 micrograms. Numerous nutritional studies have also revealed that in the United States, the majority of the elderly and young women consume less than two-thirds of the RDA of 15 milligrams of zinc. Another national survey found that 95% of American women aged 18 to 44 were only getting about half of the 18 milligrams of iron required compensating for menstrual losses of this mineral. According to calcium intake studies, 75% of all women over 35 get less than the RDA of 800 mg per day. This deficiency in calcium causes bone loss, which leads to osteoporosis. Calcium supplementation can not only slow but also reverse bone deterioration. Despite the fact that the RDA for men is 350 milligrams and 300 milligrams for women, a study of meals offered to students at 50 institutions found that the foods on the menu provided only 251 mg of magnesium per day. Even if we solely ate minimally processed organic foods, getting all of the nutrients we need for optimal health would be difficult. Especially since as we become older, our ability to absorb and utilize the nutrients in our food decreases. Unfortunately, the majority of us consume a diet high in highly processed, nutrient-poor foods. Why is our food so low in nutrients? We are, after all, to blame for the majority of it. We demand picture-perfect produce as consumers. As a result, the food business focuses on manufacturing foods that ship well rather than those that are nutritious. To seem picture perfect on supermarket shelves, tomatoes and lettuce are plucked green and delivered to cold storage. Unfortunately, the best nourishment comes from allowing the fruit to ripen on the vine. Green tomatoes have been shown to have lower quantities of beta-carotene, lycopene, and soluble fiber than vine-ripened tomatoes. Within 7 days of cold, dark storage, lettuce loses up to 46% of some nutrients. The majority of fruits and vegetables today have fewer nutrients than in the past. In comparison to vegetables grown before the 1950s, broccoli contains 62 percent less calcium, potatoes have lost virtually all of their vitamin A, and apples have lost over half of their iron, according to CTV research reported in the Globe and Mail in 2002. In fact, there was a 68 percent loss of Vitamin A, a 76 percent loss of Iron, and an 80 percent loss of Calcium in the majority of fruits and vegetables analysed. Even if we eat our five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, we aren't guaranteed to acquire all of the nutrients we require for good health. Main cause The standard farming practices used to raise most of our foods are the main source of the loss in nutrients in our food. Traditional agricultural methods deplete soil nutrients, which in turn reduces the amount of nutrients in the plants grown. In as little as five years of cultivating crops with pesticides, herbicides, and minimal fertilization, soil can be devoid of most minerals. Only the nutrients required for plant growth are replaced in conventional farming. There is no effort

3. made to replace the numerous trace minerals that are necessary for animal health. Modern livestock producers are aware of the mineral deficiency in their crops and keep mineral blocks on hand for their animals. They recognize the importance of these minerals in achieving rapid growth and good health in their animals. Unfortunately, few people recognize that supplements are also required for good health. What should we do to get optimum health? We can't rely on the modern American diet to provide us with the nutrients we require; therefore we must seek out alternative sources. One option is to consume exclusively organically grown foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. Herbicides and pesticides are not used in the production of organic foods. This removes the poisons from our food that have been known to build up over time. Many chronic diseases connected with ageing, such as cancer, are thought to be caused by these poisons. We're instructed to wash our fruits and veggies before eating them to get rid of the toxins, but think about it. These insecticides and herbicides are sprayed on the entire plant as well as the soil that feeds the plants. What mechanism does the plant use to receive that nutrition? The nutrients are taken by the roots, up through the plant, and into the fruit. Any material sprayed on the plant is absorbed into the plant via the leaves. How does washing get rid of the spray residue that has gotten into the plant? Crop rotation and the use of more traditional fertilizers are also used by organic farmers to improve the soil. As a result, the soil has more minerals to feed the crops, which are then given to livestock. Organically grown food will be far more nutritious than conventionally grown food as a result of these procedures.

4. Organic food is, however, more expensive than conventionally produced food. Most people may be unable to afford an entirely organic diet as a result of this. Besides, we all like to dine out now and then, and organic restaurants are hard to come by, if they exist at all. Nutritional Supplements So, how do we ensure that our bodies acquire all of the nutrients they require to achieve and sustain maximum health? These nutrients can be obtained through organic nutritional supplements, which are quite inexpensive if purchased with caution. However, it's vital to remember that getting the most nutritional bang for your buck necessitates taking into account more than just the price of a supplement. Some supplements may appear to be affordable, but they are worthless at any price if they are not absorbable, that is, if they are in a form that our bodies cannot use. For example, an antacid is currently being promoted as a calcium supplier. The calcium in the tablet, on the other hand, is calcium carbonate, which is just 10% absorbable and takes a lot of stomach acid to be absorbed at that level. Isn't it true that the primary goal of an antacid is to lower stomach acid? The calcium in the antacid functions only as a filler because its bioavailability is hotly disputed. Many of the essential nutrients interact together in the human body and must thus be accessible in the right proportions and at the right time. Folic acid, for example, is necessary for the absorption of B12, and B12 is required for the absorption of folic acid. If one of these nutrients is not consumed alongside the other, a significant deficiency in the one that is not consumed can result. Calcium, for example, is best absorbed when it is combined with magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc. As you can see, there's a lot to think about when choosing which nutritional supplements to take. All I can say is that you should learn about correct nutrition and what your body needs to stay healthy. Many of today's chronic diseases are caused by nutritional deficiencies, which can be avoided by ensuring that your body has the building blocks it need for optimal health. Our bodies' ability to renew and protect themselves is incredible—as long as they are nourished with all of the basic nutrients and building blocks they require.