There is never any absolute certainty about what the nutritional requirements are for the human body of a certain age, size and gender. Scientific research on the subject takes a long time, and results are often not that clear. But, at least scientific research into the subject of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional requirements is being undertaken seriously, and taken seriously by governments.
That was not always so; at least, if it was, it never reached through to the medical profession at the sharp end. I took an interest in diet and health in the late 1970s and 1980's and have had a personal interest since. My reason then was firstly because of my own severe, and crippling, arthritic problem, and in the later 1980's because of my son's food allergies, or intolerances. Doctors in that era generally dismissed any link between health and diet as nonsense, and were even more dismissive of such things as allergy as a cause of any behavioural changes in a child.
The difficulties we had then caused me to do a lot of reading on the subject of diet and health, and nutritional requirements. I started taking a multi vitamin and mineral supplement at a time when doctors were very dismissive, and I have done so ever since. At least, in public they were dismissive; but I wonder how many were taking such supplements themselves? They must have known the evidence was mounting up even then.
These days, though, doctors are a bit more aware of the links between diet and health, and the possible benefits of some nutritional supplements. Much of their information is disseminated from central governments, and all we can do is judge our own nutritional requirements based on the latest research. We do so, though, in the knowledge that recommended daily allowances (RDA's) can change at any time with later research.
People who are on a diet and trying to lose weight need to be especially careful about nutritional needs. There is not much point losing weight to prevent one health problem, only to cause another by being nutritionally deficient elsewhere. If you are dieting, the chances are that if you are following any restrictive diet plan, you may be missing some important vitamins or minerals. Any diet that heavily emphasizes one food group while completely restricting others is, by nature, lacking in some essential nutrients.
A common conception of dieting is that, when we feed our bodies less calories than it needs, it will begin to take nutrition from the fat that it has stored. While that is true, it is a basic fallacy that your body can derive all the fuel it needs that way. Part of the problem with that assumption is that there are many nutrients your body simply cannot store. The body uses what it needs, and excretes the rest. The nutrients which cannot be stored need to be consumed daily in one way or another, and if your diet doesn't allow for that, your body will show the effects.
If you are on a diet that severely restricts your intake of any particular food or food group, you may benefit from adding a nutritional supplement to your daily menu. In fact, many doctors recommend that dieters take, at the very least, a complete, high-quality multivitamin to make up for any deficiencies caused by the restrictions. Other supplementation might be recommended depending on which diet you follow.
Below are some specific suggestions based on particular diets, for you to discuss with a nutritionist or dietician before you go too far with your diet:
Supplements For Any Diet
A full-spectrum multivitamin should be part of your daily routine no matter what you're eating or not eating. It will help even out the ups and downs of your diet, and supply some valuable nutrients that are difficult to get.
It is also important to remember the sun as your source of vitamin D, which is not derived from any food source. While doctors often say that as little as 20 minutes of full sun per day can supply your daily requirement of vitamin D, they also caution that it depends on your climate and geographical location. So, local advice is very helpful here.
Supplements For A Low-Carbohydrate & High Protein Diet
If you are on a low carb diet, antioxidant vitamins found in vegetables are particularly important. Scientists are learning more and more about how important it is that our diets contain a full spectrum of vitamins, proteins, minerals and acids. If your diet cuts out most grains and vegetables, you should be replacing the lost nutrients with supplementary vitamin A, C, B (all the B's), E and K. You should also supplement your intake of folic acid, and if you're not getting a significant amount of your protein from fish products, you'll need omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, shellfish and flaxseed oil.
Always bear in mind that the best diet is one that gives you a balance of nutrients, and that supplements should be exactly that - a supplement to your daily nutritional intake through food and liquid. And, be sure you discuss this with your doctor, nutritionist or dietician.
This weight loss supplementation article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website.
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhen most people begin a Weight Loss program or diet... Read More
It's agreed that if you raise the amount of calories... Read More
In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More
There is no such thing as spot reducing. Any fat... Read More
On the road to weight loss, fitness, and health,... Read More
Recently, a Japanese study showed dramatic results of organ fat... Read More
If you know someone that has been trying to lose... Read More
Do you want to lose weight fast? While there is... Read More
America is a nation of self-disclosers, amiably acceptant of our... Read More
We must all now be familiar with the Atkins Diet.... Read More
Be Prepared. For the Boy Scouts it means you are... Read More
One Reality TV show, The Swan, thrives on makeovers. Often... Read More
Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More
Twenty years of health club consulting, 50,000 hours of paid... Read More
Once in a while a good title comes along and... Read More
There's no way you can separate the Jack LaLanne diet... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
Frankly, I'm puzzled whenever I hear this from somebody who's... Read More
At the beginning of December, WeightWatchers.com announced the release of... Read More
Information About Weight Training Routines For BeginnersSo you need to... Read More
Are you committed to losing weight and keeping it off?... Read More
Eating the right foods and exercising regularly have been the... Read More
Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More
Are you gaining weight sitting in front of the computer?... Read More
These treadmill weight loss tips are a great way to... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..When you're taking Phentermine, you should go to the emergency... Read More
Now that everything from a tan to pantyhose comes in... Read More
According to the BMI chart, if you are overweight, you... Read More
So you ask, "How do I determine if I am... Read More
I was at the grocery store the other day, doing... Read More
As an employee of famous fitness star Kathy Smith, personal... Read More
Cellulite is a condition for which cures are commonly sought.... Read More
Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
As the dieting phenomenon grows, with a new "diet guru"... Read More
America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
With obesity and disease increasing dramatically, many fitness experts are... Read More
New studies suggested once again that citric fruits including oranges,... Read More
negative calorie effect in foodsWhatever food we eat,... Read More
Ephedra and Ephedrine consumers are still under the assumption that... Read More
For years we heard that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet would... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what... Read More
"THE SECRET REMEDY OF THE ANCIENT WARRIORS"Since what would seem... Read More
Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More
How many calories you consume has a big impact on... Read More
Are you Telling Yourself It's Too Hard to Lose Weight?Telling... Read More
I know how difficult it can be do stick to... Read More
Weight Loss |