Vitamins Herbs and Nutritional Supplements Presentation Why Basic

Vitamins, Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements Presentation Why Basic Supplementation is Necessary By Kristine Gilleo

Do we need supplementation in our diet? n Our daily food intake does not contain sufficient amount of basic vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that our body needs. n Fruits and vegetables people are eating currently contain lesser amounts of nutrients and vitamins because the food is grown in soils which are massively deficient in the concentration of magnesium, zinc, iodine and selenium. n If we become vitamin deficient, it can lead to permanent damage of cells and tissue that in later years results in most serious, eventually lethal diseases (Ezinearticles, 2009).

Are you nutritionally deficient? n n n Studies have demonstrated that over 80% of the world population is deficient in nutrients in the form of minerals, enzymes, or vitamins. (Ezine. Articles, 2009). Modern agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil. Consequently the nutrient value of the food we grow depends on the nutrient levels of the soil in which they are grown (Psychology Today, 2013). Our diets contain more processed foods and fewer fresh foods than is good for us. Processed food generally contains less fiber, fewer micronutrients, and fewer phytochemicals that protect against heart disease and diabetes, according to recent studies (Psychology Today, 2013).

Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies 10) Vitamin B 1 (thiamine): Beriberi, a disease whose symptoms include weight loss, body weakness and pain, brain damage, irregular heart rate, heart failure, and death if left untreated (Listverse, 2012). 9) Vitamin B 3 (niacin): Pellagra, a disease whose symptoms include diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and finally death (Listverse, 2012). 8) Vitamin B 7 (biotin): causes rashes, hair loss, anemia, and mental conditions including hallucinations, drowsiness, and depression (Listverse, 2012). 7) Vitamin C: results in Scurvy causing symptoms of lethargy, skin spots, bleeding gums, loss of teeth, fever, and death (Listverse, 2012). 6) Vitamin D or of calcium: results in Rickets which causes muscles and bones to become soft, which can cause permanent deformities in children (Listverse, 2012).

Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies cont. 5) Vitamin B 2 (riboflavin): results in Ariboflavinosis which causes distinctive bright pink tongues, although other symptoms are cracked lips, throat swelling, bloodshot eyes, and low red blood cell count. Ultimately it can cause comas and death (Listverse, 2012). 4) Vitamin K: This deficiency affects nearly half of all newborn infants worldwide. In severe cases it causes uncontrolled bleeding and underdeveloped faces and bones (Listverse, 2012). 3) Vitamin B 12: Hypocobalaminemia disease which causes gradual deterioration of the spinal cord and very gradual brain deterioration, resulting in sensory or motor deficiencies (Listverse, 2012). 2) Vitamin B 5: Chronic paraesthesia which causes numbing sensation we feel as ‘pins and needles’ or a limb ‘falling asleep’ (Listverse, 2012). 1) Vitamin A: causes night blindness, or ‘nyctalopia’ (Listverse, 2012).

How Nutritious is the Food we Eat? n n Modern food industry uses many preservatives, artificial colorants, additives, and chemicals in order to enhance the appearance, flavor, and shelf life of food we eat ultimately lacking in nutrients. I recommend excluding these types of foods and adding the following nutritionally dense foods: Fruit: Research studies suggest that one may eat any servings of fruits daily. It is recommended to eat at least 2 -3 servings of fresh fruits every day. Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, anti-oxidants, which helps the body prevent or at least prolong the natural changes of aging by protecting and rejuvenating cells, tissues and organs (Nutrition and You, 2009). Vegetables: Eat at least 5 -7 servings of fresh vegetables every day. All the Green. Yellow-Orange vegetables are rich sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, vitamin B-complex, vitamin-C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. They contain many antioxidants that; firstly, help protect the human body from oxidant stress, diseases and cancers, and secondly; help the body develop the capacity to fight against these by boosting immunity (Nutrition and You, 2009). Nuts: Eat a handful of nuts a day, they are rich in energy, protein, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and much discussed omega-3 fatty acids (Nutrition and You, 2009).

Is our food responsible for chronic degenerative diseases? n n n Dr. Wallach, a leader in the field of nutrition and pharmaceutical research, argues that an unfortunate consequence of the American public's faith in the four basic food groups has been a huge increase in the incidence of chronic degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. over the past 40 years. He believes that vitamin supplementation is necessary in addition to our daily diet because simply the food we eat is just not enough (Youngevity Majestic Earth Minerals, 2005). Scientists list vitamin deficiencies as the main causes of illnesses and premature aging (Ezine. Articles, 2009). According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, numerous diseases are associated with vitamin deficiency.

Recommendations n n I recommend Dr. Andrew Weil, M. D. ’s website; https: //www. weilvitaminadvisor. com/ to use as a resource to educate yourself on the importance of vitamins, minerals, and herbs for optimal health and wellbeing. This is a website that was developed by two integrative health experts, Dr. Andrew Weil, M. D. and Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, M. D. and designed to provide personalized vitamin and supplement recommendations that are both safe and effective. The website offers a health and lifestyle evaluation called, ” The Weil Vitamin Advisor”. The evaluation goes through a series of questions based on your age, gender, health status and other important factors, and then calculates the right supplements in the right amounts just for you. It also explains what each supplement is and what it is good for. The (NCCAM) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a resourceful website that discusses dietary supplements, as defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) http: //nccam. nih. gov/health/supplements

Recommendations cont. I also recommend avoiding processed foods and increasing the nutritiously dense foods I have previously mentioned. Also buy organic whenever possible. n You can also review any of the websites I have listed in my references to research further into this topic. n

Reference n n n Ezinearticles (2009). Why Are Supplements Necessary. Retrieved January 4, 2014 from, http: //ezinearticles. com/? Why-Are. Supplements-Necessary&id=2137888 Youngevity Majestic Earth Minerals (2005). Why You Must Supplement. Retrieved January 4, 2014 from, http: //www. majesticearth-minerals. com/why. php Listverse (2012). Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies. Retrieved January 4, 2014 from, http: //listverse. com/2012/03/16/top-10 -vitamindeficiencies/ Nutrition and You (2009). Power Your Diet. Retrieved January 4, 2014 from, http: //www. nutrition-and-you. com/nuts_nutrition. html Psychology Today (2013). How American Food Makes Us Fat and Sick Retrieved Janurary 4, 2014 from, http: //www. psychologytoday. com/blog/goodthinking/201306/how-american-food-makes-us-fat-and-sick