4. Supplement yourself. I am a believer in supplements. Of course in a perfect world, a person should be able to get all their vitamins and minerals in the local foods they eat. The reality is we don't live in that world.
Most people in the western world aren't eating enough real food in order for their bodies to maintain health. Even people who eat mostly real foods need to realize that a lot of the soil that is used today for agriculture doesn't have the minerals that it used to. Crops are grown over and over again on the same land, and that practice can lead to soil depletion. This soil depletion can lead up to 75% drop in trace minerals. Our bodies also are faced with a ton of toxins everyday from products we use on our hair, nails, teeth, body and face. Unfortunately our bodies are under toxic assault daily and we just don't get the vitamins, nutrients and minerals that we need. Supplementation is an alternative to meeting those dietary needs.
There are a few things to remember about supplements:
1. Don't over supplement: If you are taking a good high powered multi-vitamin then you probably don't need to take a bunch of other things except for one or more specific supplements for your health. You can overdose on supplements depending on what you're taking, especially vitamins A, D and K.
2. There is little government oversight in the producing and selling of dietary supplements. So you need to be careful and do your research when choosing them. I suggest going to your local health food store and finding out which brands the supplement specialist prefers. Also there are a number of wellness doctors out there who have brands on the market like Dr. Mercola , Dr. Colbert and Jordin Rubin that you can choose from. The important thing is to do your homework and find out who is producing the best quality supplements.
3. Supplements can interact with your medicines. Check with a health care provider first if this is a concern.
Here are some supplements that I really like.
Multi-vitamins: When I first started taking a multi-vitamin I noticed my cravings for sweets and snacks went down. There are some good ones out there. Bigger is better in this circumstance. The one I take looks like a horse pill.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is really important for the body. Here's a few health benefits that studies are showing that it does:
Boosts the immune system, protects from influenza, prevents cancer, reduces the risks of heart disease, elevates mood, increases longevity and fights stress.
Turmeric: It is a wonder herb. Turmeric is the active ingredient in curry and gives mustard it's yellow color. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. The turmeric in curry has long been believed to be the reason why India has such low Alzheimer's rates.
Turmeric now comes in supplement form and here are some of the other believed health benefits:
prevents prostate and breast cancer, natural liver detoxer, slows the progression of Alzheimers, aids in fat metabolism and weight loss, and promotes skin health.
Fish Oil: Fish oils are full of Omega 3's which are essential to good health. Our bodies cannot produce Omega 3's, we have to get them through our diet. Unfortunately the American diet tends to be full of Omega 6's and not Omega 3's. Taking fish oil is one way to combat that problem.
Here are some benefits to fish oil: Reduces the risks of heart disease, aids in weight loss, fights depression, improves circulation, boosts immune system, fights inflammation, helps fight ADHD, promotes healthy skin, and is great for pregnant mothers because fish oil helps to develop healthy eyes and brains in babies.
There are a tons of other supplements on the market. The important thing is to do your research, consult your health practitioner and form your own conclusion on supplements.
Great post!
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