Health demands certain things called 'vital nutrients'. Life cannot be sustained unless these substances are provided either in the daily diet or by supplementation. Organically-grown, fresh, whole foods provide all essential nutrients, but the full range of foods needs to be enjoyed for optimum health. This is hard to achieve in today's society, so many people use vitamin, mineral, and other nutrient-providing pills. Knowing how to answer the question 'What nutrients does my body need?'is necessary for well-being.
Researchers have proved that modern food supplies are less nutritious than those enjoyed by former generations. Mono-cropping, factory farming, and depletion of soils has lowered the nutritional value, as does long-term storage and transport of foods. The use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers has also made our food less wholesome and our health requirements higher.
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.
Fat is another vital nutrient, needed for energy as well as proper development and maintenance of the nervous system. Unfortunately, some important fats go rancid easily, so manufacturers remove them from shelf-stable foods. Others are harmed by heat and turn into toxic substances that harm rather than nourish. Experts advocate supplementation of important fats like Omega-3 fatty acids.
Many people in even affluent societies suffer from a lack of quality protein. People may limit meat, dairy, and eggs for weight-control purposes or because they have allergies. These important protein sources should be replaced by fish or high-protein vegetables like whole grains and greens. However, many lack the knowledge to plan a balanced diet and in consequence suffer from fatigue, a loss of mental acuity, brittle nails and hair, and other results of dietary insufficiency.
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.
Long-standing dietary advice has caused general confusion about fats. Many experts have said that they are unnecessary for health and should be limited. However, some are vital to well-being, while good fats cause less weight gain than an over-indulgence of carbohydrates. There are some elements in fish oil, for instance, that cannot be found in other foods in quantities sufficient for proper development and maintenance of nervous tissue.
Organic, whole foods should be the basis of the daily diet, while supplements from reputable manufacturers can provide for gaps in nutrition caused by lack of time or access to fresh, locally-grown foods. Refined carbohydrates should be eliminated if health is to be achieved, maintained, or restored.
Researchers have proved that modern food supplies are less nutritious than those enjoyed by former generations. Mono-cropping, factory farming, and depletion of soils has lowered the nutritional value, as does long-term storage and transport of foods. The use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers has also made our food less wholesome and our health requirements higher.
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.
Fat is another vital nutrient, needed for energy as well as proper development and maintenance of the nervous system. Unfortunately, some important fats go rancid easily, so manufacturers remove them from shelf-stable foods. Others are harmed by heat and turn into toxic substances that harm rather than nourish. Experts advocate supplementation of important fats like Omega-3 fatty acids.
Many people in even affluent societies suffer from a lack of quality protein. People may limit meat, dairy, and eggs for weight-control purposes or because they have allergies. These important protein sources should be replaced by fish or high-protein vegetables like whole grains and greens. However, many lack the knowledge to plan a balanced diet and in consequence suffer from fatigue, a loss of mental acuity, brittle nails and hair, and other results of dietary insufficiency.
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.
Long-standing dietary advice has caused general confusion about fats. Many experts have said that they are unnecessary for health and should be limited. However, some are vital to well-being, while good fats cause less weight gain than an over-indulgence of carbohydrates. There are some elements in fish oil, for instance, that cannot be found in other foods in quantities sufficient for proper development and maintenance of nervous tissue.
Organic, whole foods should be the basis of the daily diet, while supplements from reputable manufacturers can provide for gaps in nutrition caused by lack of time or access to fresh, locally-grown foods. Refined carbohydrates should be eliminated if health is to be achieved, maintained, or restored.
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