subject: 6 Important Links in the Chain of Life [print this page] 6 Important Links in the Chain of Life 6 Important Links in the Chain of Life
NUTRIENTS MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR OPTIMAL HEALTHA nutrient is not an isolated entity performing one simple little task. Instead, each nutrient depends on the presence of many others to perform its functions in the body. For instance, the body may use a single nutrient as a component of 300 different enzymes it manufactures, and each of those enzymes in turn requires a different mixture of nutrients! If key nutrients or any of their helper nutrients are missing or scarce, the body's ability to function normally becomes compromised. When formulating a nutritional supplement, all of the related nutrients that must be available to ensure maximum utilization of the supplemental nutrient must be evaluated.Each holistic supplement needs to address specific nutritional "links" in the "Chain of Life."A CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINKThis adage helps us visualize the body's nutritional needs. "Nutrition" means more than just vitamins. Many different nutritional "links" are required to keep the "Chain of Life" strong:-- protein
-- carbohydrates
-- lipids/sterols
-- enzymes
-- minerals
-- vitamins, and related food factors such as phytonutrients. If even one link is weak, the overall "Chain of Life" can weaken as well. Over time, health and vitality become compromised.PROTEINProtein is a major structural component of hair, skin, nails, connective tissue, & body organs but required for practically every essential function in the body. Protein is necessary for hemoglobin, insulin, actin & myosin, antibodies and peptides.While protein is used mostly to build and repair tissues, it can also be used for heat and energy, as one gram of protein yields four calories of energy. However, if adequate fat & carbohydrates are available, the body will spare protein from this energy function.CARBOHYDRATESLike the gasoline that keeps our cars running, carbohydrates keep our bodies running. Known as "the fuel food," carbohydrates provide an inexpensive & readily-available source of energy to sustain life. Foods contain three basic types of carbohydrates: Sugars provide quick energy, starches are consumed for sustained energy, & fiber which contributes little or no energy but provides other important functions.ENZYMESEnzymes are critical to digestion and metabolism. Just as keys are necessary to unlock doors, enzymes are required to release nutrients from foods so they can be absorbed and utilized by the body. If enzymes are not present in sufficient quantities, complete digestion cannot take place. Enzymes also keep the body's metabolic "machinery" running smoothly. In turn, vitamins & minerals are essential for proper enzyme functioning.VITAMINS AND RELATED FOOD FACTORSVitamins are substances (derived from plants and animals) which are required in small amounts for normal body function. With few exceptions, the body cannot manufacture them, so they must be ingested in foods or supplements on a regular & continuous basis. Physical & emotional stress can also deplete the body's vitamin reserves. Like vitamins, phytonutrients (nutrients from plants) are food-related factors which include carotenoids, flavonoids, cruciferous compounds, sulfur-bearing compounds, mucopolysaccharides from aloe vera, isoflavones the list goes on and on. Scientists have only in recent decades begun to understand the many different ways phytonutrients benefit health.MINERALSLike vitamins, minerals are absolutely critical to normal body function. Important building blocks of bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells, minerals are crucial to muscle response, nervous system communication, digestion, metabolism, and production of hormones & antibodies. They regulate the balance of water, acids, bases, and other biologically important substances in the body, and are crucial components of our enzyme systems. As mentioned above, vitamins and minerals work better when taken in combinations than alone.LIPIDS & STEROLSLipids and sterols are fats which are essential to life. They provide energy and house fat-soluble vitamins and many phytonutrients.Phospholipids are structural components of cell membranes, emulsifiers, and precursors of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. Other lipids, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play roles in brain development & controlling inflammation. Sterols are a class of lipids which include precursors of certain hormones, cholesterol (a component of all animal cell membranes), and precursors of vitamin D. Together, lipids and sterols make up most of the two-layered "blanket" that surrounds every cell in the body. They are especially important components of the fatty tissues of the nervous system.Lipids and sterols play a vital role in the assimilation of nutrients by the cell. If cells are unable to assimilate the nutrients they need, no amount of available nutrients will result in optimal nutrition. Likewise, unbalanced lipids/sterols may suppress endocrine gland function, further contributing to fatigue.HOW STRONG ARE THE LINKS IN YOUR NUTRITIONAL CHAIN OF LIFE?Most nutritionists would probably agree that if we had the time to plan, prepare, and eat three complete meals a day, we would probably be able to satisfy the requirements for a strong "Chain of Life." The problem is that few of us have the knowledge or the time necessary to ensure proper nutrition. As a result, we have no way of knowing just how strong the links are in our nutritional "Chain of Life." For millions of people around the world, nutritional supplementation provides the assurance that all of the body's nutrient requirements are being met daily.Smart supplementation with nutritional products that are carefully formulated to strengthen all the links in the "Chain of Life" can help fill nutritional gaps so you can achieve & maintain optimal health & vitality. Only consuming nutritional products that are backed by decades of scientific research and development -- supplements that provide a balance of essential nutrients and not just isolated ingredients -- is the way to assure that your nutritional "Chain of Life" is as strong as it can be. Choose your brand of vitamins like your life depends on it -- because it does!
