| Does eating a healthy balanced diet alone provide | | | | were guidelines to prevent diseases such as |
| all of the nutrients that the human body needs to | | | | scurvy and rickets and are considered to be |
| function correctly? | | | | considerably out of date. In addition, the external |
| There are many different types and brands of | | | | environment in which we live today contains |
| nutritional supplements available to the consumer, | | | | higher levels of pollutants, radiation and other |
| but what are the benefits of using these | | | | harmful substances, which significantly increases |
| products? | | | | our need for anti-oxidants. |
| These are just some of the questions people | | | | It is known that the levels of vitamins in fresh |
| may have regarding nutritional supplementation | | | | fruit and vegetables depletes over time, so in |
| and the purpose of this article is to answer these | | | | order to get the best anti-oxidative defence from |
| questions. | | | | our food, we would have to consume them |
| There are many different types of nutritional | | | | immediately after they were picked. This is very |
| products available in the shops today and the | | | | difficult due to the nature of how supermarkets |
| health and wellness industry is one of the fastest | | | | distribute their produce and the shelf lives of |
| growing industries at the present time. This is due | | | | these products. |
| to many factors including the huge increase in | | | | In addition, the process of cooking also reduces |
| obesity and the increasing numbers of individuals | | | | the levels of micronutrients in these particular |
| being diagnosed with degenerative disease. | | | | foods. |
| It is commonly believed (especially amongst older | | | | Vitamin E is the most powerful anti-oxidant and is |
| generations) that eating a balanced diet and | | | | present in many vegetables, nuts, pulses, etc. To |
| exercising regularly is sufficient to maintain good | | | | put this into context, an individual would have to |
| health, but there is also the conflicting argument | | | | consume 14.5 kg of spinach each day to achieve |
| that without supplementation, many people's | | | | this dosage. Alternatively, 1kg or almonds would |
| intake of vital nutrients falls far short of their | | | | provide the optimum protection to the human |
| body's requirements. | | | | cells. This example should highlight that it is very |
| Before I discuss these issues, I would first like to | | | | difficult to consume 400 IU of vitamin E without |
| give a brief overview of some of the vital | | | | incorporating nutritional supplementation. |
| nutrients that the human body needs to function | | | | In summary, I would recommend that almost all |
| correctly: | | | | individuals use a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral |
| Firstly there are the macronutrients. | | | | supplement in order to ensure that adequate |
| Macronutrients include Carbohydrates, Proteins and | | | | quantities of vitamins and minerals are consumed. |
| Fats. At the most simplified level, carbohydrates | | | | This can assist with correct body function and |
| provide our bodies with energy, proteins are | | | | elevate energy levels throughout the day, but will |
| responsible for building and repairing muscle tissue | | | | also reduce free radical damage and cellular |
| and fats provide additional energy reserves and | | | | degeneration within the body. |
| allow for the transportation of micronutrients | | | | Macronutrient supplements (i.e. proteins, meal |
| around the body and are also necessary for the | | | | replacements and healthy snacking options), also |
| production of many hormones. | | | | serve a purpose to many individuals: |
| Secondly there are micronutrients. Micronutrients | | | | An example would be for vegetarians who |
| include vitamins (also known as anti-oxidants) and | | | | generally find it difficult to consume sufficient |
| minerals. Each vitamin (A, B12, C, D, E, K, etc.) | | | | quantities of protein. In this instance, I would |
| and mineral (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, etc.) | | | | strongly recommend supplementing with a Soy |
| serves a specific function within the body and all | | | | Protein supplement. Soy protein does not contain |
| of them are required for good bodily function. | | | | animal products and can provide all of the |
| Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals have been | | | | essential amino acids that the body requires for |
| identified as one of the primary factors in the | | | | building and repairing bodily tissues. |
| development of degenerative disease, as vitamins | | | | For individuals looking to manage their weight, |
| in particular are responsible for the removal of | | | | meal replacements can provide the correct |
| free radicals within the body. | | | | balance of nutrients in a low calorie supplement. I |
| Free radicals are harmful molecules, which are | | | | would not recommend that someone rely solely |
| produced by chemical reactions within the human | | | | on meal replacements as it is important to also |
| body, as well as by factors in our external | | | | consume whole foods, but meal replacements can |
| environment. They attack healthy cells causing | | | | be convenient for people with busy lives. |
| them to break down (degenerate), in the long | | | | Healthy snacking options also provide an excellent |
| term potentially leading to the development of | | | | means for receiving a good balance of nutrients |
| degenerative disease. | | | | with little or no preparation. It would generally be |
| It has been suggested that in order to maintain | | | | much more beneficial to an individuals health to |
| human cells in a state of optimum health that 400 | | | | consume a high quality healthy snack bar than to |
| IU (International Units) of vitamin E should be | | | | purchase a snack from a convenience store. |
| consumed on a daily basis. This value is higher the | | | | Therefore, the use of macronutrient snack |
| Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for a | | | | depends on an individual's health goals and personal |
| number of reasons: | | | | dietary requirements. |
| Firstly, RDAs were established in the 1940s and | | | | |