Why You Need Supplements to Maintain a Healthy Diet By Andrew Stratton At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The health gurus recommend a balanced diet consisting of at least five servings of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables a day, whole grains, low-fat dairy and high quality, lean meat, poultry, or fish. Given our fast-paced lifestyles, how many of us are truly able to maintain such a standard?

Industrial farming practices contaminate the soil with pesticides, while factory processing and long transit times deplete fresh food of vital nutrients. Often our meals consist of grabbing a bite on our way to the office or frozen TV dinners or take-out meals after a weary day at work.

Rarely do we get the chance to cook healthful meals using fresh ingredients that nourish our bodies and spirit. The fact that we are unable to get the kind of nutrients we need from our diet takes a heavy toll on our bodies. The incidence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cancer is growing, while pollution and nutritional deficiencies continue to throw our immune systems off balance, resulting in allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Nutritional deficiencies can create serious disorders. For instance, a deficiency of the essential vitamin B6 can cause serious neurological complications, insomnia and depression. Low levels of folic acid, B6 and B12 can raise levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease.

Lack of essential fatty acids and antioxidants in our diet disrupts immune system and brain function, boost inflammation and results in dementia. The powerful benefits of both these nutrients in preventing or slowing aging, inflammation, heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune disease are well documented. Vitamin D supplementation, especially in the northern latitudes which get less sun, can prevent illnesses ranging from osteoporosis and high blood pressure to cancer and chronic diseases.

Our consumption of processed foods and sodas has turned our bodies into a toxic acidic dump creating the perfect environment for diseases like cancer to thrive. Alkaline nutrients such as those present in super greens like green barley and chlorella, can balance the body's pH, returning it to a more healthy state.

Food processing also destroys vital factors, such as enzymes, that promote optimal absorption of nutrients. Replacing these factors can help our bodies retain vitamins and minerals better. To compensate for what the modern diet lacks, many doctors and nutritional experts recommend consuming a good multivitamin supplement regularly to maintain optimal health and prevent disorders relating from deficiencies of essential nutrients.

A good supplement will not only make up for low levels of these elements, but also provide additional elements that even the healthiest diet cannot provide. For instance, adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng can regulate our immune systems, helping us cope with stress better and boost our energy levels, while supplementation with sleep vitamins can help us relax and get a restful sleep.

Whatever your need, supplements offer a safe and healthy way to cope with the stress of modern life. Some herbs can react with prescription medications and may not be recommended in combination with other herbs. For more advice, consult a herbalist or alternative practitioner, and if you're taking prescription medication or have a health condition, consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=369299&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Important Notice DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and data in this article are sole opinions and/or findings of the individual user or organization that registered and submitted this article at Isnare.com without any fee. The article is strictly for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be used in any way, implemented or applied without consultation from a professional. We at Isnare.com do not, in anyway, contribute or include our own findings, facts and opinions in any articles presented in this site. Publishing this article does not constitute Isnare.com's support or sponsorship for this article. Isnare.com is an article publishing service. Please read our Terms of Service for more information.