subject: Why We Use Supplements [print this page] In this article we look at why our diet may not be good enough and discuss the role of nutritional supplements.
Using nutritional supplements is an easy way to ensure you are getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs.
Times Have Changed
Over the years we have got more dependent on supplementing our diets.
There are some key reasons why we need to use supplements today and we have highlighted a few of the more common reasons here;
Depleted Soils
Even fruit and vegetables today are not as good as they were some years ago.
Unfortunately many of the foods we eat today come from soils that are depleted and have insufficient mineral content. When foods are grown over and over again in the same soils, the mineral content of that soil becomes depleted over time.
Food quality can vary from farm to farm, from region to region and from country to country.
Delivery Times
As the cities grow the farming areas become further away. This means that so much of our fresh produce is not being trucked greater distances before it gets to our shops.
As consumers we are also looking for a greater choice of food. We may want to have Italian for dinner tonight and Indian tomorrow and we want to be able to get all the ingredients at our local shops.
With longer transport times and a growing expectation for choice, the food producers are using chemicals on the food to maintain the freshness and good looks so that they can get the best possible prices for their produce.
Over Cooking
People have a bad habit of over cooking our food resulting in a loss of the nutritional value. This means the meals we are eating is providing us with far fewer vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes to fuel our bodies. Eating these depleted foods over time creates its own set of health problems. Fresh, only slightly cooked or even raw fruits and vegetables is always the best way to eat these foods to ensure that you get all the goodness.
Skipping Meals
The way we eat is not good for our digestive system.
We may often skip a meal, grab a quick meal on the run or eat at irregular times. Grabbing a doughnut while and a coffee or an energy drink does not constitute a good meal.
Normal Aging
As we age it is natural or common for our bodies to produce fewer enzymes including all the important ones needed to properly digest and assimilate the foods we eat. Eventually, this results in stomach complaints like reflux, heartburn, upset stomach and chronic constipation.
While it is thought of as quite normal, it doesnt have to be.
Stress
We all seem to lead busy lives and some of us are busier than others!
Between commitments to your family, school, work, community, faith and other obligations, our lives are stressed to the max! All of this stress takes a toll on your body and weakens your immune system.
These are only some of the reasons that you might recognise.
Taking supplements can help to restore some balance to your body and help you to stay in good health. Once you have made the decision to supplement you diet you want to get the best nutritional supplement or supplements with the most potent nutrients.