When it comes to healthy eating, often people have just one goal in mind: weight loss. And while healthy eating can indeed help you trim down, a broader perspective about the health impacts of complete nutrition show that we can do more with nutrition that simply stay thin. We just can’t do it with food alone.
Going to the gym isn’t a required aspect of upgrading your own personal health, as there are plenty of simple bodyweight exercises you can do right in the comfort of your own living room. The most important thing to keep in mind is that even lightweight exercises and simple stretches can help prevent further injury complications. What starts out as simple back and joint pain can manifest into much more problematic injuries down the road if it’s not addressed early on.
A few decades ago, most people thought vitamin supplements were only important during pregnancy. Now we are finding that getting all the nutrients we need, through a well-designed diet and the help of supplements, can help not just in pregnancy, but can improve everything from brain function to gut health to fatigue.
As the debate about vitamin supplements continues into the 21st century, scientific studies reveal more evidence that we all may benefit from some form of vitamin and mineral supplementation. In modern times, the Western diet has evolved to include processed foods that fail to deliver any substantial nutrient content. Before the convenience of factory-produced foods evolved, diets included more vegetables and naturally raised meats.
Farming methods, including the increased use of pesticides, have reduced the mineral content of food. Geographical changes and global warming are also negatively affecting soil mineral levels and the introduction of genetically modified foods has affected available nutrients through food sources. Researchers also believe our body’s nutrient requirements may actually be growing over time as our environment becomes more toxic.
Vitamin supplements can fortify almost anyone’s health, but they need to be taken only from certified suppliers, such as Supersmart. Children’s supplements may provide extra protection for developing bones and organs. Active children who participate in sports may require extra vitamins and minerals. Healthy adults who are interested in maintaining optimal health may also benefit from supplements to replace minerals and vitamins lost during exercise.
The combination of proper eating and vitamin supplementation with exercise is particularly potent at helping the body stay fit and avoid injury. In addition, older individuals with certain medical conditions like arthritis or Alzheimer’s may benefit tremendously with extra vitamin support through supplements.
Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine recommends vitamin and mineral supplements for people experiencing weight control issues. “Paradoxical though it might seem obesity and malnutrition often go hand in hand. Processed, high-sugar, high-calorie foods contain almost no nutrients, yet require even more vitamins and minerals to metabolize them.” Dr. Hyman also attributes diabetes and other metabolic disturbances with malnutrition and believes vitamin supplements should be a crucial element in any treatment plan.
Individual requirements for vitamin supplements depend on unique factors. A person’s health, level of activity, diet, and other factors need to be considered when deciding which vitamin supplements you need. Vitamin D and vitamin C are essential for bone growth, maintenance and repair. Orthopedists often recommend vitamin c supplements when healing from bone fractures and torn ligaments.
People who smoke cigarettes show depleted Vitamin C levels and would benefit from supplements. As people age, the body becomes less efficient in absorbing vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat. Supplements are often necessary to compensate, especially with the B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D.
Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, considers the rising interest in vitamin supplements for health maintenance as an important contributing factor to increased research in disease prevention. “A recent randomized trial in men suggested multivitamin supplements have possible benefits for cancer prevention. We’re investigating other nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D and hope to have the results from the randomized controlled trials available within a few years.”
As the world around us continues to evolve, the body’s demands for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants also evolve. Fortunately, vitamin and mineral supplements provide some assurance to meet the requirements needed to maintain optimal health and may be beneficial in disease prevention.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
