subject: Minerals And Vitamins For A Healthy Lifestyle [print this page] In the 21st century the living conditions of many people have obviously changed and it is clear that keeping fit should be one of the priorities for every person. The pace of life has in some cases become hectic and stressful, especially in big cities. The unfavourable environmental situation, junk food and lack of physical activity are the main reasons for health problems among both adults and children.
To cope with negative factors affecting people's wellbeing it is crucially important to maintain a good immune system. In its own turn a healthy immune system largely depends on nutrition which supplies the body with all necessary minerals and vitamins. Taking into account recent research and discoveries in this sphere it is difficult to underestimate the role of supplements for the maintenance of good health and the prevention of a number of diseases.
It has been proven that human bodies can not synthesise many types of minerals and vitamins so there is no other solution but to rely on food and food supplements to maintain adequate amounts of microelements. Sometimes they can not be stored by the body and therefore should be taken in regularly. Not all food products are equally rich in minerals and vitamins. Even fresh fruit and vegetables, which are widely acknowledged sources of vital elements, may fail to perform this function if they are overcooked or grown in undesirable conditions. What is more, many dietitians recommend eating five servings of different fruits and vegetables a day, a standard that may be difficult to achieve.
Since it is not always easy to get all necessary microelements from food some people turn to food supplements. Most vitamin supplements have been extracted from natural foods, for example, Vitamin B comes from yeast or liver and Vitamin E is extracted from soy beans or maize. Vitamins may also be synthetically manufactured, but synthetic vitamins are not always as effective as their naturally-derived equivalents. Today minerals and vitamins come in all forms, at all prices and the quality can also vary. That is why those who care about their health and wellbeing should choose high quality supplements from reliable manufacturers.
Although they cannot substitute medicines or a healthy diet, food supplements still have a significant impact on people's health. It is a mistake to think that handfuls of pills will help people achieve quick positive results. Bodies need only very small quantities of minerals and vitamins but it is very important to provide these on a regular basis. Neither is it a good idea to concentrate on only one particular type of supplement like Vitamin C pills, for example. The best way out is to consult a dietitian or nutritionist whose expert advice may help patients choose the most suitable programme to maintain the balance of minerals and vitamins and stay healthy.
There are certain groups of people who are more likely to need special treatment. These include women who are planning a family or have just become pregnant, vegans who never eat meat or dairy products, people who are malnourished and people who are doing intense training for sport. The majority of other people may take a basic and inexpensive multivitamin complex as a general precaution.
