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Written by Roys
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Saturday, 30 September 2006 |
Whole food supplements are one of the hottest selling products on the market these days. These supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, proteins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, probiotics etc. Their total consumption values billions of dollars in the U.S. alone. Recent surveys show that more than half of the adults in the U.S. consume Whole food supplements in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, soft gels, gel caps and liquids. These complex materials cannot be taken into isolated concentrates. Let alone to expect them do the same action inside the body. Being part of a large whole, Vitamin C or any nutrient for that contribute largely to the commulative manipulation of nutrients inside the body. Even if the intake of specific nutrients are considerably large, they cannot perform complete tasks themselves.
Different types of Whole food supplements have unique functions in our body. Vitamins and minerals are essential to life and good Whole. Although they are only required in relatively small amounts, different vitamins and minerals work synergistically to maintain and regulate metabolism. If you want to try a supplement because you read or heard it could improve your health in some way, do some research first. Look on the Internet or in the library for medical studies to support the claims. If the supplement is for a certain problem, like arthritis, check with a Whole group that knows about the illness, like the Arthritis Foundation. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if the supplement is safe and how it's used.
Here are some additional tips:
Beware of false claims. Watch for double standards. Find out about the herbs you want to use. Are there side effects? Could taking large doses be dangerous? How long have the herbs been used for treating your condition(s)? Have medical studies been published on their effectiveness? High doses of some supplements might be harmful. Remember, if you want to try a food supplement, be your own best Whole advocate. Assess your diet first; do some research; and talk to your doctor. Then you can make the best choice for your Whole. Alone, they won't be able to provide us anything very substantial. They only help us in acquiring the nutrients our bodies require due to failure of obtaining them in their natural forms.
The bottom line is, nothing still can replace our natural foods. Take supplements and treat them as such.
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