Nutrition and Weight Loss Ideas

Nutrition and Weight Loss

A subject that I haven’t done a lot of writing about here is that of food supplements. I’ve avoided it because I do market food supplements and I didn’t want to make it look as though I was keeping this blog only for the purpose of reaching into your pockets and purses. My only goal with these articles has been the promotion of your nutrition and weight loss program and to help you reach your health goals.

With that in mind, the subject of food supplements is one that needs to be talked about, especially in a forum like this one.

So, the question is this: “Do we need food supplements?”

Perhaps you’re being good and you eat healthy food — you exercise regularly — you read this blog every day for inspiration and motivation — and yet you still wonder, “Could taking a food supplement make me healthier?”

From all the surveys that I have checked out lately, they all show that more than half of American adults take food or dietary supplements to boost their daily nutrition. Sometimes people take them because they lack — or think they lack — certain vitamins and minerals. Other people want to improve some part of their health, like their immune system.

Vitamins, minerals, and herbs are the more popular food supplements. They come as powder or liquid that you can take as a pill or mix into food or drinks.

There is no question that many doctors will tell you that if you eat a healthy, balanced diet you don’t need supplements.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any time at all, you know that I am consistent in my advocacy of eating good food. I know that a healthy diet has to be low in fat and sugar — and high in plant foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

I also know that no matter how good you or I try to be, we don’t practice what we preach anywhere near enough. Our overall diet will be lacking in nutrients over the long term — and in many cases even over the short term.

Sometimes, changes take place in our lives and bodies that can make it harder to eat right. For instance, a sad event, such as losing a loved one, could cause us to lose interest in food or eating right. Health and dental problems or some drugs can ruin our appetites or cause other eating problems.

Some people, as they age, begin to avoid certain foods, like milk. That’s because the sugar in milk gets harder to digest. This could cause them to not get enough calcium, which the body needs for strong bones.

It’s always smart to double-check with your doctor. They can do tests to determine if you are lacking in any nutrients. It could be that you may need to supplement with calcium — or you may need to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement. Also, be sure to do your homework to see if there are certain things you should avoid if you have an illness or take medicine.

Here are some additional tips from the American Dietetic Association:

* Beware of false claims. Supplements that claim to help you stay young, grow back hair, lose weight, or cure cancer could be false. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

* Watch for double standards. Even though herbs are often sold for having the same effect as certain drugs, they aren’t controlled the same way. Find out about the herbs you want to use. Are there side effects? Could taking large doses be dangerous? How long have the herbs been used for treating your condition(s)? Have medical studies been published on their effectiveness?

* High doses of some supplements might be harmful. There are guidelines for the amounts of vitamins and minerals you should take to stay healthy, but not for herbs. Some herbs could be harmful in large amounts. So could very large doses of vitamins and minerals.

* Natural doesn’t mean safe. Just because a supplement is natural or comes from a plant doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many times, herbal products don’t include warnings about harmful side effects.

Remember, if you want to try a food supplement, be your own best health advocate. Assess your diet first; do some research; and talk to your health professional. Then you can make the best choice for your health.

Obviously, based on the resource box at the end of all of my articles, I am a firm believer that the supplements I take have done wonders for me.

For my age (and I am no longer a young man) I feel, look and act like a man much younger. I feel good most of the time. I sleep great. My mind is alert. Sure, I live a healthy lifestyle — but I still find that the supplements I take have played a vital role in being to maintain that lifestyle.

Take a look at the pages referenced in the yellow box below. Then, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

It may be a couple of days before I will be back with another article. But, never fear, I will be back.

I would love to hear from you. One of the advantages of using a blog to communicate is the fact that it’s not a one-way medium. At the end of each article there is a link where you can comment about what you’ve read. It’s a great way to exchange thoughts and ideas. So, let me hear from you.

As always, remember to follow a good-fat — good-carb diet. And do whatever you can, within your doctors recommendations, to keep up with the exercise part of your program. The benefits are priceless.

Here is some information about the nutritional supplements I add to my nutrition and weight loss program. These have helped me more than I would have ever imagined. I’m not kidding. Click on the links in the box below — you won’t be sorry!

Have a great day. I’ll be back tomorrow with some more nutrition and weight loss thoughts for you.

And give the South Beach Diet a try. That’s what I follow and it sure has worked for me. Here’s where to go to learn more:

Shanti,

Ron
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