First and foremost, let us define ‘enough.’ Everyone has heard of the RDA, or Recommended Daily Allowance. These are stated as a percentage of the RDA on the back of every foods that you purchase. What does this imply? The RDA was created in the 1920s as a bare minimum to prevent starvation.
Later, in the 1950s, it was updated to include the quantities of vitamins and minerals required for ‘normal development.’ Today’s scientific research indicate that this is far from the levels that are likely to be required to decrease the risk of chronic diseases. Many vitamins (but not all) are likely to be considerably higher than the RDA for most individuals to remain healthy in their adult years.
The truth is that we don’t really know what the optimum quantities of nutrients are, and they definitely vary across individuals. But the basic truth is that the overwhelming majority of us are not getting enough nutrients from our diet. According to studies, most individuals who believe they consume a healthy diet do not even reach the RDA levels for all nutrients, and the majority of people are deficient in at least one, if not many essential vitamins.
So, what are you going to do?
That’s your assignment! Would you purchase a vehicle or a house without first conducting some research? Would you entrust all of your money to a financial adviser without first researching them? So why would you handle a health-care investment any differently?
The nutrition business, in reality, is regulated by the FDA as a food and is held to the same standards as frozen pizza. Many goods on the market contain inexpensive substances in sub-optimal quantities and in forms that are difficult for the body to use. It is beyond the scope of this page to provide a comprehensive description of all of the products available, however one source is Lyle McWilliam’s book “The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements.” This gives an overview of how nutritionals function in your body, as well as a comprehensive rating of many of the products on the market. It’s available on Amazon.com and a variety of other bookselling websites.
To summarize, diet is critical for long-term health and illness prevention. Do your research and locate high-quality nutrition items that suit your requirements.
So, what does this imply?
Consider driving down the highway with no seatbelts, no airbags, and ancient tires that might blow up at any moment. You may be okay. But, if a tire blows out and you get into an accident, what are your odds of escaping unharmed if you don’t have any safety equipment? Proper nutrition has the same effect on the body.
It enables us to operate effectively in order to combat infections and common colds, as well as cope with the typical physical and mental stresses that we encounter on a daily basis. A small deficit in a critical vitamin, mineral, or other micronutrient causes lethargy, irritability, and overall tiredness in the short term, but may raise your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and a variety of other chronic diseases in the long run.
Where can you go for good advice? What about your doctor? Is he or she competent to counsel you on optimum health and nutrition? Well, maybe.
Inquire with your doctor whether they have any formal dietary training. It may surprise you to learn that fewer than 10% of medical physicians get any formal nutrition instruction in medical school. The purpose of a doctor’s job is to assist ill patients get well.
Doctors are educated to diagnose and treat patients, and after medical school, pharmaceutical salespeople who visit their offices play an important role in their education. They are not often educated to provide advise on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Most physicians are highly regarded professionals who adhere to high standards of patient care – but their clients are ill individuals attempting to recover, not people attempting to attain optimum health.