Vitamin Supplements: A Vital Part Of Good Health

Vitamins are micronutrients required in tiny amounts by the body for its health and well-being. Other micronutrients include minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids, such as omega 3.

More Nutritional Management is Necessary
The lifestyle of the average American has changed. Convenient fast food pick-ups are more popular than home-cooked meals. We substitute wholesome food for food that offers us little nutritive value. Nutrition experts tell us that even the fresh fruits and vegetables we eat offer less nutrition because of the impoverished soil it is grown in and pesticides used in their cultivation. Organic foods have therefore become a popular craze, sometimes yielding up to 60% more nutrition than non-organic products.

Never before in history have our bodies been bombarded with so many contaminants. They are in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the medications we take and in our very environment. There are social factors as well that produce damaging effects to body such as stress, anxiety, pressures at work and in relationships. Our bodies are burdened with social-stressors resulting very often in fatigue and poor immune system performance. Some people might not be at their optimum health, and very likely, because of inadequate nutrition, at risk for chronic health disorders.

As a result, cancer and heart disease have become the major killers of our nation. Obesity and diseases related to it are more prevalent now than ever.

Scientists and nutrition experts agree that even serious health disorders like cancer and heart disease can be linked to unhealthy nutritional habits. While genetics and environment factors do play a role, nutrition and exercise are factors often within our control.

Good Diet and Exercise
Doctors recommend a diet that is low in saturated fats, high in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3, at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and a good dose of daily exercise. Exercise improves blood circulation, which may help to supply necessary nutrients to all organs of the body.

In March 2007, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association launched a campaign called Fruits & Veggies-More Matters. This was a joint effort by all three organizations encouraging Americans to include more fruits and vegetables in their diet as a means to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. While the recommended diet includes at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, it was noted that only one-tenth of Americans actually eat the recommended amount.

A study done at the Harvard-based Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals revealed that eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day reduced the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke by 20% as compared to those who ate only 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The most crucial fruits and vegetables were found to be green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables and citrus fruits.

Fruits and vegetables mainly contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.

Need for Vitamin Supplementation
Most Americans are not able to keep a consistently balanced diet and realize their need to fill the nutritional gaps in their diet. Good management of nutrition for our health and well-being can help us stay healthy for a longer time to come.

Vitamin supplementation helps to secure proper nutrition for our bodies. Research shows new roles of vitamins in safeguarding us against disease. Other micronutrients in combination with vitamins play a significant role in our health. These are amino acids, antioxidants that fight free radical activity in the body, and minerals. Many multi-vitamin formulas, like MultiVescence, include all of these micronutrients, and an enzyme called CoQ10 which supports heart health.