Every survey of eating habits conducted in Britain since the 1980s shows that even those who said they ate a balanced diet fail to eat the basic Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs).
What is more, the RDAs of vitamins and minerals are set by governments to prevent deficiency diseases such as scurvy or rickets, rather than to ensure optimal health. And there is a big difference between a lack of illness and the presence of wellness. Take the example of vitamin D. While 5mcg a day confers protection from rickets 30mcg a day, more than you can eat, confers optimal protection from a number of common cancers. Why, you may wonder, does a good diet not contain all the vitamins and mineral we need for health?
Firstly, it is a big assumption to assume that it ever did. The science of nutrition has determined optimal levels of many nutrients that are way beyond those that can be consumed in diet. For example, as we age absorption of B12 becomes increasingly difficult. As a consequence many people over age 70 are B12 deficient despite an apparently adequate diet (The RDA is 1 mcg). Studies shows that these people need 500mcg to correct deficiency – that’s 500 times the RDA!
The Optimum Daily Allowances are estimates based on what the science is showing us to be the most beneficial intakes of nutrients. If these levels can be achieved from diet alone then there’s no need to supplement. For most nutrients, and individuals, this is not the case.In addition, studies show us that nutrient levels in food are falling – there are less vitamins and particularly minerals in fresh produce today, for example, than in the eighties. This is partly due to intensive farming on nutrient-depleted soils and also storing ‘fresh’ food for longer (for incidence, oranges may take four-five months from picking to appearing on your supermarket self).
What is more, the RDAs of vitamins and minerals are set by governments to prevent deficiency diseases such as scurvy or rickets, rather than to ensure optimal health. And there is a big difference between a lack of illness and the presence of wellness. Take the example of vitamin D. While 5mcg a day confers protection from rickets 30mcg a day, more than you can eat, confers optimal protection from a number of common cancers. Why, you may wonder, does a good diet not contain all the vitamins and mineral we need for health?
Firstly, it is a big assumption to assume that it ever did. The science of nutrition has determined optimal levels of many nutrients that are way beyond those that can be consumed in diet. For example, as we age absorption of B12 becomes increasingly difficult. As a consequence many people over age 70 are B12 deficient despite an apparently adequate diet (The RDA is 1 mcg). Studies shows that these people need 500mcg to correct deficiency – that’s 500 times the RDA!
The Optimum Daily Allowances are estimates based on what the science is showing us to be the most beneficial intakes of nutrients. If these levels can be achieved from diet alone then there’s no need to supplement. For most nutrients, and individuals, this is not the case.In addition, studies show us that nutrient levels in food are falling – there are less vitamins and particularly minerals in fresh produce today, for example, than in the eighties. This is partly due to intensive farming on nutrient-depleted soils and also storing ‘fresh’ food for longer (for incidence, oranges may take four-five months from picking to appearing on your supermarket self).
Refining food (ie turning brown into white) also strips away valuable nutrients. In wheat, for example, 25 nutrients are removed in the refining process that turns it into white flour, yet only five (iron, B1, B2, B3 and folic acid) are replaced. On average, 87% of the essential minerals zinc, chromium and manganese are also lost. Of course you can, and should, eat unrefined foods.
The result of a sub-optimum intake of nutrients is a sub-optimum state of health. Most people put up with feeling ‘all right’ – accepting the odd cold, headache or mouth ulcer and having low energy, poor digestion, depression etc as normal.
Yet there are many scientific studies published in respected medical journals which prove that increasing intake of vitamins and minerals above RDA levels can boost immunity, enhance IQ, reduce birth defects, reduce colds, improve bone density, balance moods, reduce aggression, increase energy, reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic 21st century diseases, and basically promote a long and healthy life.
Anti-ageing expert, Dr Bruce Ames, who helped put antioxidants on the map, has no doubt that common micronutrient deficiencies accelerate the ageing process, and that supplementation reverses this process. Having recognized that supplements, particularly for those over 40 will help achieve a healthier life it is important to know and understand what you are putting into your body. Some combinations of supplement can have the opposite effect to that required and the excess of some can be dangerous. Also, if you are taking medication, some supplements can alter the effectiveness of that medication. Each person is unique! Much of the information available tends to be of a general nature. To decide, if you are choosing to supplement, lets consider what supplements are best for you ...read more.
Yet there are many scientific studies published in respected medical journals which prove that increasing intake of vitamins and minerals above RDA levels can boost immunity, enhance IQ, reduce birth defects, reduce colds, improve bone density, balance moods, reduce aggression, increase energy, reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic 21st century diseases, and basically promote a long and healthy life.
Anti-ageing expert, Dr Bruce Ames, who helped put antioxidants on the map, has no doubt that common micronutrient deficiencies accelerate the ageing process, and that supplementation reverses this process. Having recognized that supplements, particularly for those over 40 will help achieve a healthier life it is important to know and understand what you are putting into your body. Some combinations of supplement can have the opposite effect to that required and the excess of some can be dangerous. Also, if you are taking medication, some supplements can alter the effectiveness of that medication. Each person is unique! Much of the information available tends to be of a general nature. To decide, if you are choosing to supplement, lets consider what supplements are best for you ...read more.
