Eat health - about Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
The best way to meet all of your body's important vitamin and mineral needs is to get your nutrients from food.
Some people mistakenly believe that popping a supplement in the morning will erase or counteract a poor diet. Fat chance! The reason is this: A supplement does not provide all the nutrients and other substances, such as fiber, that your body needs -- it only provides the ones listed on the label.
Besides that, vitamin pills don't satisfy your appetite. Eating a juicy apple (full of potassium and fiber) or a ripe slice of cantaloupe (bursting at the seams with vitamins A and C) is far more fulfilling -- and filling.
If you eat a well-balanced diet from all the food groups (six to 11 servings from the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta groups; three to five servings from the vegetable group; two to four servings from the fruit group; two to three servings from the dairy groups; two to three servings from the lean meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nut group; and with a small amount of fat, oil, and sweets), you lay the foundation for a healthy diet that kills many birds with one stone. Not only will a diet like this be likely to meet your nutrient needs, but it can also help fight against cancer and heart disease.
On the other hand, there are some people who may benefit from supplements. Grandma, grandpa, and other people who may not get enough sunlight to make up a steady supply of vitamin D or who are not consuming adequate calcium and foods fortified with vitamin B12 may be supplement candidates. Some pregnant women may find it a challenge of Olympic proportions to meet their iron needs without a supplement. Women of childbearing age can reduce the risk of certain birth defects by taking a folic acid supplement or by eating a diet that is adequate in foods fortified with folic acid, such as cereals and enriched bread. Many women may also find it difficult to meet their calcium needs without the help of a supplement.
Strict vegetarians who don't eat any animal foods should get guidance from a dietitian to ensure that their diet is adequate in vitamins B12 and D, iron, calcium, and zinc. And if you are unable to eat a healthy diet because of a medical condition (or your lifestyle prohibits it), you may also benefit from a supplement.
But beware: When it comes to vitamins and nutrients, more may not be better. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, can be toxic when taken in large doses. It's best to get a "diet check" from a dietitian to see what your dietary needs are.
When a vitamin and mineral supplement is advised, buy one that meets USP (U.S. Pharmacopoeia) standards. USP certification ensures that the supplement will disintegrate within 30 to 45 minutes upon reaching your stomach. (If the pill remains a pebble throughout your GI tract, the vitamins and minerals won't be properly absorbed.) If the label doesn't state that it meets USP standards, you can call the company and inquire further.
Editor: Liping
Date: 05/8/-01
 hello - yyonglink 16:36:07 04/21/04 (385)
Special curative effective medicine of asthma and pharyngitis - Mr.Chen 03:51:42 02/25/04 (329)
inflatables or OEM - Shellynn Zhu 21:36:22 02/15/04 (320)
Health Oriented Products - Diana Sparks 15:28:27 09/18/03 (197)
Health Oriented Products - Diana Sparks 15:27:38 09/18/03 (196)
Health Oriented Products - Diana Sparks 15:24:50 09/18/03 (195)
Health Oriented Products - Diana Sparks 15:16:14 09/18/03 (194)
Chinatown Yellowpage - Add To
HOME
|
