This is a big debate in the health and fitness world. Some believe that you should get all your micronutrients from food, others will argue that it is inevitable that you will need to supplement to some extent.
In this blog, I will give you my opinion on this argument.
Now, In an ideal world, everyone would get all the nutrients that their body requires from food. But, unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world.
One of the main reasons that i believe that we need to be supplementing with some vitamins, is the simple fact that our food does not contain as much nutrients as it used to.
A major factor that has affected the level of nutrients in our food is the fact that soil quality is not what it was 100 years ago. Factors such air pollution, pesticides, and the need to produce food on a much larger scale, has diminished the quality of our soil, which in turn has lowered the level and quality of nutrients in our food.
Some studies have shown a drop of up to 37% in some nutrients in vegetables in the last 40 years. That’s a drop of nearly 1% every year.
This is why the most recent advise regarding fruit and veg intake is now to try and eat 10 portions a day, not the 5 a day that most of us are used to.
Again, in and ideal world, we would all follow that advice and eat 10 portions of fruit and veg a day. We would make sure we eat a good mix of fruits and veg to ensure we get a wide range of micronutrients. But sometimes that just isn’t realistic to eat 10 portions of fruit and veg everyday. So this is where supplements become necessary.
Another factor that needs to be considered in this debate is our lifestyles. Our lifestyles are busier than ever with work, commuting and families. Unfortunately, for most people, our health and nutrition has taken a back seat to everything else and we are always seeking quick and easy food options which are much less nutrient dense. This has added to the need for most people needing to supplement with certain vitamins and minerals.
The key word in this debate supplement, not replace. I’m not suggesting that you replace a healthy, balanced diet with pills and powders, but taking a few vitamins to fill the gaps that you aren’t filling with food, can be a really good thing for your body.
Contact me today if you would like more information on improving your nutrition through supplementation.
