Supplements: A necessity or a modern 'con'?<\/p>\n
This is the fourth in the six-article series New Millennium New
\nYou, providing practical tips on how to stay healthy. The weekly
\ncolumn is written by Clare E. Urwin, a nutrition, fitness and
\nhealth adviser based in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Good news. You are enjoying those positive
\nchanges in your eating habits. More surprisingly, your exercise
\nroutine is not that bad! OK, nobody loves doing push-ups or
\nstrength training, but regular practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n
You are feeling better, lighter and more energetic. So, with
\nsuch a good start to Y2K, what's next? Supplements are the third
\nfactor required for optimum health and fitness in the new
\nmillennium.<\/p>\n
Recently, there has been a huge increase in the sales of
\nvitamin, mineral, food and herbal supplements. Health food
\nstores, pharmacists and supermarket shelves are filled with
\nproducts, promising an easy way to feel better and stay well.<\/p>\n
For the average concerned consumer, who genuinely wants to
\nreach and maintain good health, the choice is mind-boggling. All
\nthose bottles, each seemingly filled with \"life changing\",
\ntrendy, megavitamins, pills and potions. The advertising hype is
\nintensive, and excessive claims for various products abound.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, controversy continues regarding the benefits or
\notherwise of supplements, even among the medical community. No
\nwonder you, the customer, is totally confused. Are supplements
\nreally necessary? What about safety? Do they work or are they
\njust a modern \"con\", useful only for making money and expensive
\nurine? What is folic acid anyway and who exactly would want to
\neat shark cartilage? You don't!<\/p>\n
Ideally, our diet should provide all of the vitamins, minerals
\nand trace elements that our body needs.<\/p>\n
In a perfect, pollution-free world, we would be able to eat
\nwell balanced, organically grown food in the correct combination
\nat the right times, as we went about our stress-free lives. No
\nsupplements required.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that. Modern living
\noften means polluted environments, unbalanced diets and
\nstressful, imperfect lifestyles.<\/p>\n
Current intensive farming methods frequently include the use
\nof pesticides, fungicides, rodenticides, herbicides, nitrate
\nfertilizers, antibiotics, steroids and growth hormones. Sounds
\nalmost sinister, doesn't it? More follows! Genetic engineering of
\nplants is becoming commonplace throughout the world. Food
\nprocessing strips vital nutrients from what we eat. Storage times
\nare increasing.<\/p>\n
Safety net<\/p>\n
Chemicals are added in the form of colorings, sweeteners,
\ntexture modifiers and preservatives. These practices must make
\nthe nutritional value of some foods questionable.<\/p>\n
Regular supplements can act as a safety net.<\/p>\n
The reason for supplementing is to guarantee receiving the
\noptimum level of every single nutrient that your body needs.
\nSometimes it's hard to receive all those needs from diet alone.
\nHasn't everyone woken up too late for breakfast at least once?
\nSkipped a lunch and grabbed only coffee?<\/p>\n
At certain periods of your life and in particular situations,
\nsupplements seem to be appropriate. For instance, older people
\nwho have a lack of appetite and dieters who are calorie counting
\nmay not eat enough to obtain all the necessary nutrients.<\/p>\n
If pregnant or breast-feeding, you need more iron, calcium and
\nthat important part of the vitamin B complex, folic acid. Some
\nvegetarians or vegans require additional B-12, and smoking
\nsignificantly increases your body's requirements for vitamin C.
\nThe list goes on.<\/p>\n
Evidence supporting the value of nutritional supplements is
\nsubstantial in many circumstances, and anecdotal data is
\nabundant.<\/p>\n
There is certainly convincing testimony that supplements of at
\nleast 1 gram of vitamin C daily can help minimize the length and
\nseverity of colds. Other research seems to back the
\nrecommendation that higher than normal intakes of some vitamins
\nor minerals are helpful for specific disease prevention or
\ntreatment.<\/p>\n
Back to basics. Vitamins and minerals are essential to life.
\nThey promote growth, health and normal metabolism by assisting
\nthe biochemical processes that release energy from digested
\nfoods.<\/p>\n
These micronutrients act as catalysts, \"turning-on\" enzymes,
\nto encourage necessary chemical reactions in our cells. Vitamins
\nA, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins and can be stored in the
\nbody.<\/p>\n
The B group and vitamin C are water soluble and cannot be
\nstored.<\/p>\n
The European Community's Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) and
\nthe Recommended Daily Allowance and Daily Values (DV) in the U.S.
\nare measuring standards used in food labeling. They tell how much
\nof each vitamin and mineral you need to maintain health.<\/p>\n
However, these levels only give the bare minimum required to
\nprevent deficiency diseases, such as scurvy. Larger doses can
\nchange borderline health into enhanced health.<\/p>\n
Recommended<\/p>\n
In this 21st century concept of creating the New You, certain
\ndaily supplements are recommended. This is true even though you
\nare now following the sound nutritional habits described in the
\nprevious \"Diet\" article.<\/p>\n
Remember that untapped potential? Supplements are an integral
\npart of the five factors necessary for mind and body to reach
\ntheir peak.<\/p>\n
A good quality multivitamin with 100 percent RDA for vitamins
\nand minerals to be taken daily. Vitamin C is an important
\nantioxidant and infection fighter.<\/p>\n
It encourages the body's healing system and is great for the
\nskin. Take at least 1 gram per day and more if under particular
\nstress. Four hundred International Units (IU) of natural vitamin
\nE, another powerful antioxidant, are recommended.<\/p>\n
To complete the formula, take 100 micrograms of the trace
\nmineral selenium, which has antioxidant and anticancer
\nproperties. This minimum \"cocktail\" of supplements will ensure
\nyou are providing enough raw material for the body to maximize
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
These recommendations apply to healthy adults only, and not to
\nchildren or pregnant women. Always take supplements with food,
\nand never without the consent of your doctor if you have a
\ncurrent medical problem or are on prescribed medication.<\/p>\n
Different individuals may require separate additional
\nnutrients. Zinc, calcium, coenzyme Q, mixed carotenes and the B
\ncomplex or specific parts of it, are often recommended in tailor-
\nmade programs by health professionals.<\/p>\n
Seek advice and don't self-prescribe. Supplements are not
\nmagic pills. Too much of one particular nutrient can cause
\nimbalances.<\/p>\n
The year 2000 is having a great beginning. Eating healthily
\nand exercising regularly already gives a wonderful feeling of
\nadded vitality and enthusiasm. The recommended supplements will
\nfurther advance your goal of reaching optimum health and fitness.
\nStart taking them!<\/p>\n
Next week, the fourth element, stress control.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supplements-a-necessity-or-a-modern-con-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }