Author: Dr. Rose Windale

Article:
In the olden days, people got the essential vitamins and
minerals that they needed from natural sources - the water, the
sun, and unadulterated food that they ate. Vitamins and minerals
are needed - perennially- whether it be by generations from the
past, the present and the future. But in our present technology-
driven, convenience-seeking society, where do we get the
vitamins and minerals that we need? The food that we eat and the
water that we drink are not as abundant in vitamins and minerals
than they were in the good ol' days.The food that we eat are
basically chemical and preservative-ridden and they diminish the
natural nutrition that we are supposed to get from them.

They may even gradually poison us. And the soil where our food
is grown is not as rich as it used to be. Even the
transportation of our food products deplete its vitamin and
mineral content. One of the ultimate solutions then is to resort
to vitamin supplements. The American Medical Association (AMA)
advised all adults to take at least one multi-vitamin supplement
a day which is contrary to their long standing anti-vitamin
policy. This policy change was instigated by researches on the
effects of vitamin supplements. Individuals who adequately take
vitamin supplements were found to have lower risks of getting
serious illnesses such as osteoporosis, heart disease and
cancer.

Twenty years ago, the AMA advised only pregnant women and those
who are chronically ill to take vitamin supplements. A decade or
so ago, there is a barrage of vitamin supplements that have
never been heard of. But now, it is common knowledge that
vitamin supplements are essential. Like for instance, it is now
not new to the majority that folic acid is necessary in
preventing birth defects and heart disease. Certainly, folic
acid was never heard of two or three decades ago. The way we eat
also contributes to the degeneration of our vitamin and mineral
intake. Eighty percent of Americans do not have a healthy diet
such as the recommended five servings of vegetables and fruits a
day according to the AMA.

This only proves how essential it is to take vitamin supplements
to augment our need for essential nutrients. Doctors and
scientists are aware of this fact. More research also indicate
that the RDA for vitamins and minerals needs to be modified as
they are not enough. According to nutrition experts, the RDA for
vitamins and minerals are too low, a fact supported by Dr.
Jeffrey Blumberg of the Human Nutrition Research and Aging in
Tuft's University. There is growing evidence that higher levels
of many vitamins (whether from food or vitamin supplements)
prevent vitamin-deficiency disorders and are necessary for
optimum health.

 Through our growing-up years, we had the common notion that
having a reasonable diet would suffice for our vitamin and
mineral requirements. But Dr. Robert Fletcher of Harvard
University agrees that we need to take vitamin supplements to
boost our body's vitamin and mineral content. Fletcher adds that
there is more evidence in researches that indicate that vitamins
prevent the usual diseases that we cope with everyday, like
birth defects, heart diseases, cancer and osteoporosis. But let
us always consider the fact that vitamin supplements are
"supplements" to our diet. A balanced diet is still recommended
to lower risks of acquiring the chronic illnesses of our time.

Balanced diet is foremost, coupled with vitamin supplements.
Both are necessary to be at the peak of our health.

About the author:
The author of this article <a target="_new"
href="http://twitter.com/rosewindale">Rose Windale</a> is a
Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several
natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share
her knowledge and tips through her website <a target="_new"
href="http://www.healthzine.org">http://www.healthzine.org</a>.
You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and
happy life.