Condition Spotlight
Recent research has demonstrated that diet alone may not be sufficient to supply the nutrients necessary for overall good health. While most experts agree that nutritional supplements are vital for a variety of illnesses, injuries, and age-related problems, vitamin and mineral supplements can also help to maintain optimal physical and psychological health, and promote longevity and chronic disease prevention.
Ever since the term vitamin was coined almost 100 years ago to describe the discovery of the essential life substances in foods, scientists have debated the issue of nutritional adequacy. Medical science has long held that healthy adults do not need supplementation if they consume a healthful, varied diet. Until recently, it was widely believed that supplements were only considered necessary if a person had an outright or “severe” nutrient deficiency, usually manifested by overt illness.
So you don’t eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Who does? Besides, if you’re like a third to a half of your compatriots, you’re taking a daily multivitamin Read More
While there are tons of diets that come and go, the keto diet meal plan is currently one of the most popular options (1). It is a diet that’s heavy on protein and fat in Read More
There they are? sitting in your cupboard, your pantry, or hidden in a drawer. You thought they were only for taste. Little did you know they were loaded with powerful nutrients! We call these herbs Read More
One of the most popular buzzwords in healthy living today is fasting. There’s a lot of science behind the benefits of fasting. Most people relate fasting to weight loss, but fasting is a powerful therapy Read More
Chocolate, often viewed as a treat to be enjoyed on rare occasions, might be more than just a satisfying indulgence. According to recent research, specific types of chocolate offer surprising benefits for numerous systems of Read More
Richard Blau, MD, author of Too Young to Feel Old: The Arthritis Doctor’s 28-Day Formula for Pain-Free Living shares his top picks for foods that fight arthritis and ease joint pain and explains why they Read More
A low-carb diet helps to keep your blood sugar and insulin level low. So, when the insulin level is low, you are able to burn fats from your fat cells. Insulin is the fat-storing hormone. Read More
Can following the DASH diet help control gout? A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, and reduced in fats and saturated fats (the DASH diet), designed decades ago to reduce high blood pressure, Read More
Adults and kids take in about 400 calories per day as beverages, according to the USDA’s Choose My Plate program (1). Beverages such as dairy milk can be a key source of nutrients, and when Read More
As a health-conscious eater, nuts have been an important part of my diet for years. Just eat 5 or more ounces of nuts per week will substantially lower your risk of heart disease and death. Read More
Nutrition has become an important segment in the natural and holistic healthcare practices. Due to current FDA labeling regulations for nutritional supplements and herbs, health food stores and/or pharmacies are not allowed to present information regarding dosage or treatment of health conditions, regardless of scientific support.
In addition to disease control, nutritional supplements can help people cope with specific lifestyle, environmental, and emotional/psychological factors. Today, an estimated 80% of adult Americans take nutritional supplements, many on a daily basis. It is no longer just a fad, but part of a growing trend as people start to take a proactive approach to their own health. Although researchers are learning more every day about the connection between nutrition and health, there is still no definitive scientific “how-to guide” for this very complex issue, especially since each individual’s needs are different.
While it is always recommended that a person try to obtain as many nutrients as possible through the consumption of a variety of nutrient-dense foods, this can be unrealistic for many, due to the following reasons: reduced calorie intake; the dislike of certain foods; loss of nutrients in cooking; the variable quality of food supply; lack of knowledge, motivation, or time to plan and prepare balanced meals; and nutrient depletion caused by stress, lifestyle, and certain medications. This is where nutritional supplements can play an important role in filling any nutrient gaps.
