The answer simply is YES! We do need additional supplements. Even if you are eating completely organic, healthy fruits and vegetables, regular exercise and quality outdoor activity (ie sunlight) you need supplements! If you aren’t doing these things you absolutely need them!
It is also important to know, not everyones bodies breakdown and process vitamins the same. One of the most common tests in our office is the Methyl-Detox Profile. This is a genetic test we use to determine the methylation process. This can make a world of difference when choosing the correct form of the vitamin you need.
I hear on the daily basis how not everyone needs supplements. The correct statement is, not everyone needs the same supplements, and here is why. Lets start with the basics; why do we ALL need supplements:
Our Soil doesn’t lend to vitamin rich foods. Did you know the fertilizers used in most farming depletes the soil of essential nutrients. Agriculture relies on the elements in the soil for absorption of proper amounts of minerals, and when this process is interrupted, the plant does not contain essential minerals and cannot form essential vitamins. And if the plant doesn’t have it then you’re not going to get it from eating the plant!
As we age, our ability to absorb nutrients from food actually decreases. So while growing children should absolutely be taking a multivitamin to support healthy tissue and bone formation, supplementation becomes equally important for the older population. Sure, you could just eat more food, but this introduces a problem with caloric balance. Another important factor to consider is medications also interfere with proper nutrient absorption.
Commercial harvesting, shipping processes, long term food storage, processing, and addition of preservatives degrades the nutrient content of food. Therefore, unless you’re eating a very fresh plant, it is a far different species at consumption than it was when initially harvested. In addition, compounds added to the food during many of these processes, such as MSG, saccharine, nutrasweet, splenda, colorings, and flavors will increase your body’s need for nutrients to deal with these damaging synthetic derivatives.
If you aren’t eating purely organic, pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals found in the modern food supply are combined with chemicals in water, environmental contamination from elements such as degraded plastic, air pollution from carbon monoxide, lead and mercury. These synergistic elements vastly increase our need for extra vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to combat formation of free radicals and the attack upon our metabolism and immune system. *Even if you are eating organic there are still possibilities of runoff and contamination of the organic fields.
And Lastly exercise increases nutrient needs. Are you an athlete or frequent exerciser? The vast amount of extra oxygen and energy used by active individuals will necessitate nutrient consumption that far exceeds the typical RDA of the average population. Consuming just the stated RDA can actually limit your athletic performance.
Hopefully this has opened your eyes a bit with that small insight on why we need supplements. Dr. Hynes at SRQ Acupuncture offers complementary nutritional phone consults bi-weekly. Although we are located in Sarasota, FL, Dr. Hynes offers local and distant consults. Contact us for more details and to get on her schedule.
Go to www.mywellevate.me to create your own free account giving you access to physician branded supplements. Dr Hynes will be able to oversee your account and make recommendations for your personal needs.
(source/text credit Ben Greenfield)