26/07/2010

Why take supplements?

Over recent years the nutritional profile of foods has changed and for many people whose lifestyles have become more pressured and fast-paced, it is not always possible to obtain optimal levels of nutrition from the diet. Supplements can have a role to play to help ensure the daily intake of important nutrients.

The methods of growing crops have changed dramatically in recent years. Modern intensive industrial farming methods have led to changes in the levels of minerals and nutrients in the soil. A United Nations report estimates that over 2 billion people worldwide suffer from hidden hunger dietary deficiencies that undermine their physical and mental health.

Storage of fresh produce both in transit, supermarket shelf and domestic houses, followed by cooking and processing then diminishes nutrients further.

A report by the UK Ministry of Agriculture titled The Composition of Food shows the changes in nutritional content of fruit, vegetables and meat, in the past 60 years:

·       Vegetables have lost on average 24% of their magnesium, 46% of their calcium, 27% of their iron, 76% of their copper.

·       Among seventeen varieties of fruit, the amounts of both magnesium and calcium were 16% lower, zinc was down by 27%, the iron content 24% and the copper content by 20%.

·       In a range of ten popular cuts of meat, the iron content
fell by 54% and the copper content by 24%.

·       Selenium in fresh food is down by 50%.

·      Formulated by Patrick Holford, with 30 years experience in nutritional research

·      Supplements are designed to support healthy skin, hair and nails

·      Supplements do not include any unnecessary artificial colours, sweeteners and flavourings