Health Vitamin Supplements - Do You Need Them?

Do we really need to take vitamin and mineral supplements?

After all, these are found in abundance in the foods we eat, right?

In the light of increasing reports and surveys by governing bodies and nutritionists, the answer to this question is a resounding "Wrong".

Not that long ago our ancestors were able to go to a fruit tree and pull off a nutritious piece of fruit, packed with enzymes and vitamins that had been unaffected by pesticides, forced ripening or pollution in the atmosphere from fumes etc. It was a truly nutritious meal. In the same way they were able to dig vegetables and grains from the ground that were packed with optimal amounts of life giving minerals, unaffected by chemical fertilizers etc. These foods would have been truly organic and of maximised nutritive benefit to the eater.

The situation today however is very different. Decades of the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, etc, in order to yield larger crops have caused serious depletion of minerals from the soil, meaning that the food itself contains far smaller amounts of the vital nutrients our bodies need to function optimally.

It is a similar story for fruit. The reason you can buy fruits of your choice year round is that, in many cases, they have been stored for some time and force ripened. This process severely depletes the vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants that would otherwise be present in a fresh fruit that has ripened naturally and been consumed soon after picking.

As a result we can be following guidelines to eat our five servings of fruit and vegetables daily, along with whole grains etc. and still be sadly lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Surveys by EC and US Departments of Health show that although most people get more than enough carbohydrates, protein and fats from their modern daily diet they can still be severely lacking in nutrients that are essential for the proper functioning of our bodies.

An interesting statement from the US Congress says "Never have so many people been so well fed and yet so badly nourished". Data published just last year shows that, in comparison to fifty years ago, there is 75% less calcium and around 70% less iron in fruit and vegetables.

What does all this mean? If we are eating food that is depleted in vital vitamins minerals and enzymes, and we are, then our body's are unable to extract the optimal amounts of those nutrients it needs to function properly. Although we are eating plenty of calories they are empty calories, lacking in essential nutrients and it is this factor that is leading to illness, disease, premature aging and early death.

In the light of this information, it is wise to supplement our diet with optimal amounts of vitamins and mineral supplements in order for us to minimise the chances of disease and live in optimal health. It should be noted however that supplements can never replace an overall bad diet, they are supplements, designed to fortify a healthy diet based on current guidelines. Also, as with anything, excesses of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful and you need to seek the advice of a qualified nutritionist before embarking on any supplement program, who will be able to analyse your specific needs and help with a supplement plan. It is also wise to check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions, as high doses of certain vitamins and minerals can interfere with prescribed medication.

In the meantime, stay healthy.