Annique | Vitamins & Minerals

Information Supplied by Annique

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Why do we need to take Vitamins and mineral?

When you have a cold, the first thing most people tell you is take vitamin C. Feeling a bit blah? Another person assures you that you need B Vitamins for stress, B12 for energy metabolism and Vitamin E against cancer and heartburn……..

Have you ever wondered why we really need to take supplements, even if we do have healthy lifestyle or diet?

Here are some compelling reasons:

•  Even slight nutritional deficiencies, over long periods of time, may play a significant part in the development of serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis.
• A forty years study done in the USA reveals that, since the 1950s, there has been a major decline in the nutrient value of fruit and vegetables. This is due to the steady depletion of soil nutrients, coupled with the effects of prolonged crop storage, plus temperature and hormonal manipulation.
• Over-processing seriously depletes food of nutrients.
• Much fresh produce has been genetically modified to look colourful and visually enticing, and the sugar content of fruit may have been augmented to satisfy export market tastes. It seems more important than nutritional value.
• Our bodies are being subjected to increasingly hectic lifestyles. Medications and pharmaceutical drugs, from over- the- counter pain killers to prescription medication, are leeching our of stored nutrients require for maintenance of optical health. An unhealthy diet, alcoholism, anxiety and stress and pollution, which forms part of everybody’s lives, also play a role.

What micronutrients are most crucial to your health?

Vitamins:

These are organic substances necessary for life. Most cannot be Manufactured by the body and must be obtained from food and dietry supplements. Vitamins regulate metabolism through enzyme systems. Deficiencies can endanger the whole body.

Minerals:

4% of the body is made from minerals. They are used to regulate and balance body chemistry. Macro-minerals. They are used to regulate and balance body chemistry.

Macro –minerals like Calciun, Magnesium, phosphorus, Potassium and Sodium are needed in large quantities by the body whilst trace-minerals, such as chromium, iodine, manganese and selenium are needed in much smaller quantities. Animals eat plants which, in turn absorbs from the soil. People then obtain mineral and vitamins directly from edible plants and animals. Minerals are essential for the effective absorption of vitamins.

Essential Fatty Acids:

Polysaturated fats/oils are essential for optimum health, because they cannot be manufactured by the body. They reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, allergies, depression and others. Two of the most important are Omega 3 (from fish oils and flax) and Omega 6 (from seed oils). Modern food choices are often deficient in Omega 3 and to a lesser extent Omega 6. Current research indicates that supplementation of Omega 3 and to a lesser extend, Omega 6 is necessary for brain functioning and body in general body health.

Did you know?

Higher intakes of Vitamin C, betacarotene and Vitamin E may lower your risk of lung cancer by 68%.

Rooibos Extract:

Aspalathis linearis is a herbal plant found only on the slopes of the Cedarberg Mountains in the Western Cape (south Africa). It has powerful anti-allergic and antioxidant properties. It contains the calming quercetin and luteolin and a unique flavonoind, aspalathin that supports cell stabilisation. The naturally occurring enzymes in Rooibos enhance the absorption of other ingredients, giving better results.

Supplements need to be taken with adequate amounts of water.