Daily Vitamin Supplements or Raw Food?
Should you be taking daily vitamin supplements? This question is on most peoples minds as to whether they should take daily vitamin supplements in the form of multivitamin pills or is raw food good enough? The food and drug adminstration recommends that you should be eating at least eight to ten servings of raw fruits and vegetables per day to assist the body into utilizing those nutrients in the forms of vitamins and minerals. Eating this amount of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis however is definatly a challenge for many of us. This is why people have turned to multivitamins and nutritional supplements to make up the difference. However nutritionists, doctors and researchers know that you cannot skip the daily servings of fruits and vegetables and expect that a vitamin and mineral supplement will make up the difference. The bio-availability of the micronutrients that are available in raw fruits and vegetables is far greater than anything that can be manufactured in the laboratory. Bioavailabily means that the enzymes, vitamins and minerals are much more available to the cells within the body when they are obtained from fruits and vegetables, raw seeds and nuts as opposed to a pill which was manufactured and delivered in a bottle.
Optimum Nutrition
We though are looking for what is known as for optimum nutrition. Even if we manage to eat a completley heatlhy diet our soils are so depleted due to intensive farming methods that even this is not a guarantee.
If we look at our bodies on a cellular level our vitamins and minerals are the keys that unlock the magical processes that go on within. As some of these keys go missing this can trigger lifelong diseases to occur. Taking daily vitamin supplements along side a healthy eating plan is by far the better choice for your health. Daily vitamin supplements will complement a regular diet if you have trouble getting enough nutrients however they aren't meant to be food substitutes. They cannot replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods so, when you eat wholefoods they contain dietary fibre which helps to prevent certain diseases and manage constipation. Then there are the wonderful protective substances known as phytochemicals that are present in many whole foods which can help protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Lets not forget that many of these whole foods are also a good source of antioxidants which are substances which slow down oxidation, cell and tissue damage,and the effects of free radicals in the body.
Pregnant, Vegetarian, On Medication Then You Should Take Daily Vitamin Supplements
If you are vegetarian, vegan, pregnant, are a woman who experiences heavy menstrual bleeding are post menopausal or on regular medications or have a condition that effects the absorption of vitamins and minerals daily supplements will be appropriate.
These medical conditions can include chronic diarrhea, food allergies, food intolerances and diseases of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas. If you have recently had surgery to your digestive tracts, such as surgeries to assist in weight loss,you may not be able to digest and absorb nutrients properly. These individuals will also benefit greatly from daily vitamin supplements. You should talk to your nutritionist or doctor or dietician about which supplements and doses may be appropriate for your particular specific needs. If you do choose to use a dietary supplement you should always buy the best that you can afford there are many differences in the suppliers on the market today. Read the labels carefully to check that what you need is included. Many people just take vitamins without ever consulting someone who understands the science behind them however it is always better to take some advice as some vitamins are actually dangerous when taken in doses greater than what are recommended. Also some medications can cause problems for you if taken with certain vitamins, always take advice. Once home store all your vitamins and minerals in a safe place which is also dry and cool. Do not keep them in a hot or humid locations such as in the bathroom and leave them in a locked cabinet or secure location away from children. Do not rely on child resistant packaging to keep out curious little fingers. Always be sure that the vitamins you take will not interact with any medication you may already be taking. For instance, those individuals taking a "water pills" need to carefully watch the amount of potassium they take every single day. Taking a multivitamin with additional potassium may actually cause problems with their current daily regimen.
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