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.
(Family Features) The holiday season and all its celebrating often means full days of visiting family and friends, opening gifts and enjoying moments with loved ones, even if much of that interaction may take place Read More
Pumpkins could be the holiday solution to an overall healthy heart and boost your body’s immune system. When you think about pumpkins, what comes to mind? Jack-o’-lanterns? Pumpkin pie? Charlie Brown? Spice lattes? Well, there’s Read More
(Family Features) How you start your morning can impact the rest of your day. If you’re looking to incorporate healthier choices into your morning routine, try a concept known as “habit stacking.” Building tiny, healthier Read More
(Family Features) With a return to busy fall routines, it can be challenging for many families to find the time to sit down at the table for nutritious meals. Adding an option like Florida Orange 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
What about those meals when you need something a little special? When your friends and family are gathered for a festive occasion? When leggings simply will not do? We love this take on traditional baked Read More
Stuffing is a big part of many traditional Holiday dinners. If you don’t have a go-to stuffing recipe, or just want to try something new? This potato stuffing is full of fragrant herbs, crunchy apples, Read More
What would Thanksgiving be without cranberries? One of cranberry’s earliest documented appearances with turkey can be found in the 1796 cookbook American Cookery, where author Amelia Simmons suggests pairing roast turkey with cranberry sauce and Read More
Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-have, must-make side dish for many at the holidays. For many people they would be totally happy with a bunch of side dishes for holiday meals. It just isn’t Thanksgiving Read More
Full of flavor and perfect for making ahead, this homemade sweet potato cobbler will steal the show at your next holiday meal. Sweet potato cobbler is a tried-and-true staple on Southern tables, and you’ve probably 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.
