Vitamins for Life Gems
Vitamins and supplements are now recognized in playing a role in the health and vitality of every organ in the body, from skin and bones to the nervous and immune systems, right up to the brain. Studies have shown that being well nourished with vitamins and minerals can lower cholesterol levels, help wounds heal faster, make you more resistant to colds and flu, asthma, cataracts, and even gum disease. Many health experts regard this research as a significant turning point for the medical profession. The recommendation of vitamin supplementation has long been a common practice among chiropractors and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, who have often been criticized by members of the medical community for using such unproven, potentially dangerous interventions to help prevent and treat various ailments.
Vitamins are micro-nutrients that are essential to life and healthy living. And, as everyone is aware, failing to get the necessary amounts of specific vitamins can cause deficiency states that are unhealthy and even dangerous. Vitamins such as C, E, and beta-carotene have a protective benefit against the effects of aging and certain types of cancer. One particularly interesting discovery is the evidence that beta-carotene boosts immune system functions in AIDS patients.
However, vitamins can play a much larger dietary role in our ongoing quest for health than the FDA’s Reference Daily Intakes (formerly known as recommended daily allowances, or RDA’s) might suggest. As many scientific studies now indicate, vitamins, when taken in amounts greater than the RDIs, may reduce the occurrence of certain illnesses and degenerative disorders, improve the functioning of the immune system, and, perhaps, even allow us to live longer and healthier lives.
Nutritional supplements are important for at least two simple reasons. The first is that many of us rely overly too much on fast foods and highly processed foods. And the second rationale for nutritional supplements is that evidence continues to mount that many of the nutrients and health promoting substances that we might take to achieve optimum health levels may not be obtained through normal diet alone. Of course, any nutrient that is not acquired through normal eating habits may be classified as a supplement. And this includes vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, as well as a host of other nutrients.
Actually, though many would assume that a calorie restricted diet would preclude good nutrition, this may not be that difficult. According to a recent article, Eric Ravussin, of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has observed study volunteers reduce their calories by as much as ten to thirty percent and yet still maintain a diet that is nutritionally balanced.
The medical profession appears to be gearing up to acknowledge that the safe and responsible practice of nutritional supplementation represents an important self-care strategy, through which patients can reduce their risk of many common chronic degenerative diseases that plague modern society. This turnaround in posturing is likely to benefit consumers, who are often given conflicting information about the use of nutritional supplements from their medical practitioners. However, it appears that American and Canadian consumers are sold on the science that suggests that certain nutritional supplements can improve well-being; enhance energy; reduce risk of degenerative diseases; and help manage or treat a number of health conditions.
If you are interested in having us send you an email when new products or articles are added to our site, register your email address with us below. We are pleased you joined us at VitaminsForLifeGems. Please look through our Catalog for your favorite vitamins and articles. Enjoy your visit. We hope you return and visit us often!