Health Supplements

Wondering If Health Supplements Are Important?

Here’s a crash course on why those extra dietary vitamins can be so important…

The human body is an awesome work of art that needs adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates (sugars and starches), vegetable fats, minerals and vitamins to function properly.

In the past, health providers and government health agencies pooh-poohed extra dietary vitamins as being unnecessary. They thought everyone could get enough vitamins and minerals by eating a well-balanced diet.

But recently, research has shown that very few of us eat the kind of balanced diet needed to meet the minimum requirements for key dietary vitamins and minerals - to say nothing of the higher intake levels many dietary experts recommend. A USDA survey found that more than 80 percent of women and 70 percent of men consumed less than two-thirds of the RDA (Required Dietary Allowance) for one or more important nutrients.

There is good evidence that certain dietary vitamins can also reduce the risks of specific diseases. For example, it is thought that Vitamin E can offer protection against heart disease, but it is almost impossible to get enough from diet alone. And while there is no hard evidence that daily vitamins will extend your actual life span, they may give you more healthy years to enjoy all life has given you.

Another point to consider is that modern farming techniques drain the soil of nutrients, making fruits and vegetables less nutritious than they were in the past. So continue to eat a balanced diet, but also consider taking extra dietary vitamins every day.