Super Food or Super Supplements?

By: Jeanette Bronee, Path for Life (View Profile)

The question of supplementing versus eating

When we eat a food that is whole, the content of nutritional value is already “packaged” from nature that our body can recognize and absorb it. Many health claims have failed because once the supplement has been taken out of its natural environment (which we have seen in the case of calcium supplements), then the supporting substances that make it accessible to our body are no longer part of it and we therefore cannot absorb it. That doesn’t make it much of a health benefit, either.

When supplements become too much

With regard to our health, it is not true that more of a good thing is better, especially not with supplements. Most people on a healthy daily diet get their basic needs covered, and a supplement might help them get that extra dose that makes a difference. Others eat so many supplements every day that it becomes a meal in itself often resulting in too much work for the liver and strange sensations of imbalances and cravings in our bodies.

The solution?

Choose supplements that are made from food that you would be eating anyway. My personal favorite is a daily green drink that is a powdered version of the greens I would otherwise drink in a juice or put on my plate. There are many on the market and some have so many ingredients in them that it’s another version of super food overload. I suggest choosing one that is from organic sources, well harvested, and freeze-dried to preserve the wellness of the plant nutrients.

Wheat-grass

One of the most health intense potions is wheatgrass, which was made popular by Ann Wigmore when she used it for healing very ill patients. Many swear by their daily dose of green grass for energy, wellbeing, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Omega 3 fatty acids, also known as EPA/DHA

This is one that we often can get enough of with a healthy daily diet, but since it’s considered such an important factor in an anti-inflammatory diet, many animal food eaters are not balanced in their fatty acid intake and could therefore use the aid of the supplement. The preferred supplement is the omega 3 healthy fatty acid source in a liquid form of the foods we would be otherwise be eating. That would include flaxseeds, and other seeds such as hemp, chia, sunflower, and pumpkin, and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and avocado. Also try dark leafy greens, and fish, such as wild salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, and herring. Other fish also contains omega 3 fatty acids.

4 readers liked this story.
bookmarks
Comments
posted: 11.27.2007
MaryKay Morgan
I find it so entertaining that we think we can improve the perfect symbiotic relationships created by nature. Straightening rivers for example - huh? Why? Did they really think that would be an improvement?? Silly isn't it (and arrogant!), yet even in 2007, we still consider an isolated vitamin taken in pill form "natural". It's not. Will never be. Thanks for the great article.
posted: 09.21.2007
Mrs. Dee
Jeanette, I really like your articles and added you to my favorite writers. People are supplementing their bodies with vitamins and minerals that their bodies might not even need. Since everybody's supplemental needs are different, what makes these supplement companies think that they are providing the right type of supplements for consumers. For example, there are different types of calcium, vitamin c, even magnesium supplements. How do we know which ones are right for us? Consumers need to realize that they might be spending their dollars in unnecessary supplements. For example, why should anyone take ascorbic acid (which is the cheapest and the standeard form of vitamin c), when their bodies is already in an acidic state to begin with? How about with ester-c and rose hips? We need to get educated on supplementation of vitamins and minerals before consuming them and instead of helping to maintain our health, might do more harm than good.
It feels good to write.

Your stories, musings, and advice are welcome here. We know you've got something to share, so jump in—maybe get a little famous. And don't worry—you can save a draft!

most liked
Loader_buff
Other topics you might appreciate
Play Style Neighborhood & World Parenting