ShouldI be taking a vitamin & mineral supplement especiallyantioxidants?
Chad Collins
B,Sc.,R.D/ Nutrix Ltd
Antioxidants are beta-carotene, and vitaminsC and E. You may have heard about them because they're known tohelp protect your body from certain diseases. You can easily getantioxidants naturally by following The Healthy Eating Food Guide.Focus on getting lots of fruits, vegetables and grains.
If you want to get the best nutrition foryour body, healthy food choices may have advantages over supplements.Here's why:
· you need over 50 nutrients to stay healthy. Food is fullof them,
· many daily supplements have only small amounts of ironand calcium, and limited trace elements. They have no fibre, carbohydrates,essential fats or protein, and limited trace elements. Vitaminpills are no substitute for healthy eating.,
· many foods have "phytochemicals." These arefood chemicals that are good for your health. Scientists are stilldiscovering these, and you can't get them in a supplement. They'reonly available from food,
· for some nutrients, pills provide larger amounts thanyour body can use. The extra amount goes through the body andgets lost through the urine,
· eating 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits dailywill give you the antioxidants you need. In fact, it may helpmore than taking antioxidant pills.
And last, but not least - food tastes great!
When you might need supplements Vitaminand mineral supplements are useful for certain health conditions.There are also lifestyles and life stages where you might needextra nutrition.
For example, supplements of one or morenutrients are a good idea for:
· serious digestive disorders,
· osteoporosis,
· poor appetites,
· people on strict weight loss diet,
· breastfed babies,
· women planning a pregnancy,
· vegans (vegetarians who choose not to eat meat, poultry,fish, milk or eggs).
If you are unsure of the adequacy of yourdiet, contact a registered dietitian for advice.
Chad Collins, R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Nutrix Ltd.