People need certain forms of nutrition to maintain life and health. Everything needed to survive and flourish can be found in fresh, whole, organically-grown food. However, much of the food found in stores today has little nutritional value, while environmental pollution and modern-day stress makes a proper diet more important than ever. "What nutrients does my body need?" is most easily answered with foods and supplements like vitamins and minerals.
Researchers have reported that American mass-produced food has less than fifty percent of the nutrition that the same items provided two generations ago. Mono-cropping and the over-use of chemicals in farming have robbed the soil of vital minerals. Fruits and vegetables picked before the peak of ripeness and transported in cold storage trucks loses vitamins along with freshness.
Basic needs for the human body are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, with a plentiful supply of water to give the body the fluids needed for proper digestion and utilization of these elements. Unfortunately, not all foods provide adequate nutrition, even if the gross amount of calories ingested is sufficient.
Fats, for instance, are often regarded as evils, but many are vital to development and energy production. Many important fats go rancid quickly, and all can be harmed by high heat during processing; good fats can turn into harmful toxins. Manufacturers routinely remove important elements like Omega-3 fatty acids, which shorten shelf life, and use altered fats to restore taste and texture. For this reason, health experts advise supplementation of essential fatty acids.
Protein is another thing which may be deficient in the daily diet. People who limit the amount of meat, eggs, and dairy products they consume may be getting less than the forty grams that are recommended as a minimum for each day's consumption. Getting less than this amount can cause fatigue, loss of muscle strength, lack of mental alertness, weak hair and nails, and other conditions that affect health and well-being.
Carbohydrates are vital nutrients, but they often make up too much of the diet. Refined carbohydrates - white flour products and sugary foods - in particular lead to the plague of obesity. The body cannot process refined carbohydrates properly, and they also do not provide quality nutrients but are instead 'empty calorie' foods. This causes other conditions, as well, such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic fatigue. Whole foods and fresh vegetables and fruits should provide the carbohydrate portion of a balanced diet.
The need for high-quality fat is often ignored by both health professionals and the general populace. Fish oil contains a kind of fat important for proper brain development and function, but most of the population of America is deficient in this nutrient. Good fats are found in wild, cold water fish, in extra-virgin olive oil, and in fresh nuts and seeds. Processing and testing to make sure fats are not tainted with environmental pollutants is important.
Whole foods grown by sustainable agricultural methods provide good fats and the vitamins and minerals needed for health and vitality. If the diet is poor because of lack of time, knowledge, or access to quality food, supplementation with dietary aids from reputable manufacturers may be the answer.
Researchers have reported that American mass-produced food has less than fifty percent of the nutrition that the same items provided two generations ago. Mono-cropping and the over-use of chemicals in farming have robbed the soil of vital minerals. Fruits and vegetables picked before the peak of ripeness and transported in cold storage trucks loses vitamins along with freshness.
Basic needs for the human body are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, with a plentiful supply of water to give the body the fluids needed for proper digestion and utilization of these elements. Unfortunately, not all foods provide adequate nutrition, even if the gross amount of calories ingested is sufficient.
Fats, for instance, are often regarded as evils, but many are vital to development and energy production. Many important fats go rancid quickly, and all can be harmed by high heat during processing; good fats can turn into harmful toxins. Manufacturers routinely remove important elements like Omega-3 fatty acids, which shorten shelf life, and use altered fats to restore taste and texture. For this reason, health experts advise supplementation of essential fatty acids.
Protein is another thing which may be deficient in the daily diet. People who limit the amount of meat, eggs, and dairy products they consume may be getting less than the forty grams that are recommended as a minimum for each day's consumption. Getting less than this amount can cause fatigue, loss of muscle strength, lack of mental alertness, weak hair and nails, and other conditions that affect health and well-being.
Carbohydrates are vital nutrients, but they often make up too much of the diet. Refined carbohydrates - white flour products and sugary foods - in particular lead to the plague of obesity. The body cannot process refined carbohydrates properly, and they also do not provide quality nutrients but are instead 'empty calorie' foods. This causes other conditions, as well, such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic fatigue. Whole foods and fresh vegetables and fruits should provide the carbohydrate portion of a balanced diet.
The need for high-quality fat is often ignored by both health professionals and the general populace. Fish oil contains a kind of fat important for proper brain development and function, but most of the population of America is deficient in this nutrient. Good fats are found in wild, cold water fish, in extra-virgin olive oil, and in fresh nuts and seeds. Processing and testing to make sure fats are not tainted with environmental pollutants is important.
Whole foods grown by sustainable agricultural methods provide good fats and the vitamins and minerals needed for health and vitality. If the diet is poor because of lack of time, knowledge, or access to quality food, supplementation with dietary aids from reputable manufacturers may be the answer.
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