| The uniformed public is often impressed with | | | | classes of free radicals, which research shows |
| which nutrition product has the highest levels of | | | | may be largely responsible for chronic illnesses |
| vitamin C, or the most efficiently absorbed | | | | such as heart disease and cancer. These are |
| minerals mistakenly thinking that more is always | | | | referred to as reactive oxygen species (ROS). |
| better. | | | | The ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) |
| However in nutrition, like life, having a lot of one | | | | test measures the 'seek and destroy' capacity of |
| thing (money) does not necessarily guarantee | | | | antioxidants against free radicals. Once the ORAC |
| longevity or happiness. If the capacity of a cup is | | | | test was perfected, many formulators and |
| five ounces, filling it with six, twelve, or thirty-two | | | | companies contrived ways to exploit this value in |
| ounces does not make it 'fuller' or 'better.' What | | | | an attempt to make their product appear 'fuller' |
| benefit does having more protein do for an | | | | or 'better.' |
| athlete if there is insufficient energy from | | | | The principals of balance, variety, and moderation |
| carbohydrates to transform that protein into | | | | are the keys to success in life, work, and health. |
| muscle? If a supplement contains the highest | | | | Simply loading the body up with supplements is |
| amount of beta-carotene, what does it matter, | | | | not the answer. You must supplement your |
| when the excess beta-carotene can actually block | | | | bodies natural production of all the vital amino |
| the absorption of other valuable carotenes? | | | | acids, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents, dietary |
| The same can be said of phytonutrients | | | | fiber, carbohydrates, and so on. Your body can |
| (phytonutrients are powerful antioxidents and | | | | only use a limited amount of these supplements, |
| naturally occurring compounds that contribute to | | | | so feeding it more is simply wasting your time, |
| the flavor, color, and disease resistance of plants - | | | | and more importantly, wasting your hard earned |
| ie, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes). | | | | money! |
| Why emphasize a single phytonutrient when there | | | | Make sure you do your research, but becareful if |
| are literally thousands, many with functions that | | | | you talk to your medical doctor. Most MD's are |
| have yet to be identified? Considering the | | | | not up on the natural supplement scene, so they |
| complete picture is much more important that | | | | tend to discount the value of such supplements. |
| focusing on one part. Moderation is more powerful | | | | Visit a naturopath, they usually have 1 free |
| than excess. Balance is better than emphasizing | | | | consultation, search the internet, ask family and |
| the contribution of a simple ingredient. And variety | | | | friends, and find out what the professional |
| will generally produce greater benefits than a | | | | atheletes use. |
| single nutrient. | | | | If you follow some of these steps, you will have |
| A brief look at the science behind free radicals | | | | success in finding natural supplements that will |
| and antioxidants illustrates this message of | | | | have dramtic benefits on your body. |
| balance, variety, and moderation. There are six | | | | |