Apr
14
Written by:
Dr. Cherniawski
4/14/2009 2:56 PM
As a nation, we eat poor quality foods stripped of nutrients. To get the nutrition we need, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends we eat 7 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Most people do not come close. Instead, most rely on fast food, pre-packaged food, and refined grains to meet energy requirements. Quite simply, Americans are overfed and undernourished.
To fill the gap, all Americans should consume whole food supplements made by concentrating fruits and vegetables for use in supplements. Because fruits and vegetables contain the majority of nutrients we need, a good supplement will contain a variety of high quality produce and be produced in such a way as to maintain nutrient values. Whole food supplementation is necessary because fruits and vegetables contain hundreds and thousands of nutrients and because vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and phyto-nutrients all work together within the body to promote optimal health. Multi-vitamins, no matter how good, can never duplicate the nutrition found in natural foods.
Be careful, however, when buying a whole food supplement. Because there is no agency monitoring their production, labeling, or efficacy, there is no guarantee that what you buy is effective. Do research. Quality products will have the research necessary to prove their worth.