| We all know that we should eat at least five portions | | | | energy or contribute to the tissues of the body, but |
| of fruit and veg every day - because the | | | | enable the various biochemical processes of the |
| Government tell us - and that we are what we eat - | | | | body. This includes the release of energy stored in |
| because the TV is telling us, but sadly, "knowing" and | | | | food, the formation and repair of tissue, |
| actually "doing" what is good for us are entirely | | | | reproduction, digestion, the production of urine and |
| different things. | | | | sweat, the secretion of hormones and the ability to |
| Even if we do make the effort and produce a meal | | | | resist disease and infection. |
| rich in vegetables and full of "good" foods, the stark | | | | Evidence is growing that certain vitamins are |
| truth is we're still unlikely to be getting all the | | | | antioxidants. These are substances that protect |
| nutrients that we should. | | | | tissues from cell damage. |
| Aggressive factory farming has seen nutrient values | | | | How much? |
| of vegetables diminish measurably over the past few | | | | So far there has been no world agreement on what |
| years - to the extent that the calcium content of | | | | constitutes an adequate intake of vitamins. |
| broccoli is down by 50%, the iron you used to find in | | | | In the EU there are Recommended Daily Amount |
| watercress is down by up to 90% and the vitamin C | | | | (RDA) which are approximately the average |
| in cauliflower has dropped by 40%. | | | | quantities of key nutrients an "average adult" should |
| We live in a world where time seems to be shrinking | | | | obtain from their diet. However, these are based only |
| and we never have enough hours in the day to live | | | | on the requirements of men and so are only a rough |
| our lives anyway, without having to stop and think | | | | guide for other groups of people. |
| about what we are eating or trying to cook a | | | | Using Vitamins. |
| nutritious, balanced meal at the end of a hectic day. | | | | Responsible manufacturers print instructions about |
| When you add to this our love affair with fast foods, | | | | proper use on their supplement labels, so always |
| processed foods and junk food, frankly, we haven't | | | | check before you purchase. |
| got a hope of having a healthy, balanced diet rich in | | | | Some nutrients may interact with one another , |
| all the essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements | | | | which can affect their absorption or utilization by the |
| that we need to keep us running around in our daily | | | | body. For example, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and |
| lives. | | | | K) require some dietary fat to facilitate absorption, |
| This is where food supplements (such as a | | | | so should be taken with food |
| multi-vitamin) come into their own. Millions of people, | | | | Other nutrients, when taken together, enhance one |
| every day, happily take some form of vitamin | | | | another's benefits. For example, vitamin C helps to |
| supplement in the belief that it will compensate for | | | | regenerate vitamin E, so these are best taken |
| some lack of nutrition from other sources, or will cure | | | | together. |
| their ills. And it's true - they will, but only if they are | | | | The "Hype". |
| taken for the right reasons, in the right way, in the | | | | Supplement manufacturers have developed their own |
| right combinations and only if they're right for you. | | | | means of differentiating their products. These are |
| These products are exactly what they say they are | | | | usually terms suggesting a superior product, but don't |
| - supplements, not replacements - and so should only | | | | have a standard definition agreed upon by |
| be taken after you have looked at your lifestyle and | | | | supplement regulations. |
| food intake and discovered a shortage. In fact, many | | | | Always read the ingredients and directions on the |
| of them can do more harm than good if you are | | | | label, rather than terms such as: |
| already getting sufficient from your diet. | | | | · Clinically proven |
| What are vitamins? | | | | · Highly concentrated |
| Vitamins are chemical compounds that occur in foods | | | | · Pure |
| and have been shown to be essential for life. Many | | | | · Maximum absorption |
| of them can also be produced, at least in limited | | | | · Quality extracts |
| amounts, in the body. However, the food we eat is | | | | Above all, remember that supplements are a part of |
| our main source of vitamins and our bodies have | | | | complementary medicine (not alternative medicine) |
| adapted to obtain these from a range of whole, | | | | and should be taken - preferably - under the guidance |
| natural foods with maximum efficiency. | | | | of your doctor/pharmacist/health professional for |
| Vitamins are only needed in small amounts to be | | | | you to get the best possible result. |
| effective as they don't, themselves, supply any | | | | |