Download File

Vitamins, Herbs, and
Nutritional Supplements
Presentation
Why Basic Supplementation is
Necessary
By
Kristine Gilleo
Do we need supplementation in our
diet?

Our daily food intake does not contain sufficient amount of
basic vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that our body needs.

Fruits and vegetables people are eating currently contain lesser
amounts of nutrients and vitamins because the food is grown
in soils which are massively deficient in the concentration of
magnesium, zinc, iodine and selenium.

If we become vitamin deficient, it can lead to permanent
damage of cells and tissue that in later years results in most
serious, eventually lethal diseases (Ezinearticles, 2009).
Are you nutritionally deficient?



Studies have demonstrated that over 80% of the world
population is deficient in nutrients in the form of minerals,
enzymes, or vitamins.
(EzineArticles, 2009).
Modern agricultural methods have stripped increasing
amounts of nutrients from the soil. Consequently the nutrient
value of the food we grow depends on the nutrient levels of the
soil in which they are grown (Psychology Today, 2013).
Our diets contain more processed foods and fewer fresh foods
than is good for us. Processed food generally contains less
fiber, fewer micronutrients, and fewer phytochemicals that
protect against heart disease and diabetes, according to recent
studies (Psychology Today, 2013).
Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies
10) Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Beriberi, a disease whose symptoms
include weight loss, body weakness and pain, brain damage,
irregular heart rate, heart failure, and death if left untreated
(Listverse, 2012).
9) Vitamin B3 (niacin): Pellagra, a disease whose symptoms
include diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and finally death
(Listverse, 2012).
8) Vitamin B7 (biotin): causes rashes, hair loss, anemia, and
mental conditions including hallucinations, drowsiness, and
depression (Listverse, 2012).
7) Vitamin C: results in Scurvy causing symptoms of lethargy,
skin spots, bleeding gums, loss of teeth, fever, and death
(Listverse, 2012).
6) Vitamin D or of calcium: results in Rickets which causes
muscles and bones to become soft, which can cause permanent
deformities in children (Listverse, 2012).
Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies cont.
5) Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): results in Ariboflavinosis which causes
distinctive bright pink tongues, although other symptoms are
cracked lips, throat swelling, bloodshot eyes, and low red blood cell
count. Ultimately it can cause comas and death (Listverse, 2012).
4) Vitamin K: This deficiency affects nearly half of all newborn
infants worldwide. In severe cases it causes uncontrolled bleeding
and underdeveloped faces and bones (Listverse, 2012).
3) Vitamin B12: Hypocobalaminemia disease which causes gradual
deterioration of the spinal cord and very gradual brain deterioration,
resulting in sensory or motor deficiencies (Listverse, 2012).
2) Vitamin B5: Chronic paraesthesia which causes numbing sensation
we feel as ‘pins and needles’ or a limb ‘falling asleep’ (Listverse,
2012).
1) Vitamin A: causes night blindness, or ‘nyctalopia’ (Listverse, 2012).
How Nutritious is the Food we Eat?




Modern food industry uses many preservatives, artificial colorants, additives, and
chemicals in order to enhance the appearance, flavor, and shelf life of food we eat
ultimately lacking in nutrients. I recommend excluding these types of foods and
adding the following nutritionally dense foods:
Fruit: Research studies suggest that one may eat any servings of fruits daily. It is
recommended to eat at least 2-3 servings of fresh fruits every day. Fruits are rich in
vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, anti-oxidants, which helps the body prevent or
at least prolong the natural changes of aging by protecting and rejuvenating cells,
tissues and organs (Nutrition and You, 2009).
Vegetables: Eat at least 5-7 servings of fresh vegetables every day. All the GreenYellow-Orange vegetables are rich sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron,
beta-carotene, vitamin B-complex, vitamin-C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. They
contain many antioxidants that; firstly, help protect the human body from oxidant
stress, diseases and cancers, and secondly; help the body develop the capacity to
fight against these by boosting immunity (Nutrition and You, 2009).
Nuts: Eat a handful of nuts a day, they are rich in energy, protein, packed with
antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and much discussed omega-3 fatty acids (Nutrition
and You, 2009).
Is our food responsible for chronic
degenerative diseases?



Dr. Wallach, a leader in the field of nutrition and
pharmaceutical research, argues that an unfortunate
consequence of the American public's faith in the four basic
food groups has been a huge increase in the incidence of
chronic degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cancer,
diabetes, heart disease, etc. over the past 40 years. He believes
that vitamin supplementation is necessary in addition to our
daily diet because simply the food we eat is just not enough
(Youngevity Majestic Earth Minerals, 2005).
Scientists list vitamin deficiencies as the main causes of
illnesses and premature aging (EzineArticles, 2009).
According to the World Health Organization, or WHO,
numerous diseases are associated with vitamin deficiency.
Recommendations


I recommend Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.’s website;
https://www.weilvitaminadvisor.com/ to use as a resource to educate
yourself on the importance of vitamins, minerals, and herbs for
optimal health and wellbeing. This is a website that was developed
by two integrative health experts, Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. and Dr.
Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. and designed to provide personalized
vitamin and supplement recommendations that are both safe and
effective. The website offers a health and lifestyle evaluation
called,” The Weil Vitamin Advisor”. The evaluation goes through a
series of questions based on your age, gender, health status and other
important factors, and then calculates the right supplements in the
right amounts just for you. It also explains what each supplement is
and what it is good for.
The (NCCAM) National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine is a resourceful website that discusses dietary
supplements, as defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and
Education Act (DSHEA) http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements
Recommendations cont.
I also recommend avoiding processed
foods and increasing the nutritiously dense
foods I have previously mentioned. Also
buy organic whenever possible.
 You can also review any of the websites I
have listed in my references to research
further into this topic.

Reference





Ezinearticles (2009). Why Are Supplements Necessary. Retrieved
January 4, 2014 from, http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-AreSupplements-Necessary&id=2137888
Youngevity Majestic Earth Minerals (2005). Why You Must
Supplement. Retrieved January 4, 2014 from,
http://www.majesticearth-minerals.com/why.php
Listverse (2012). Top 10 Vitamin Deficiencies. Retrieved January
4, 2014 from,http://listverse.com/2012/03/16/top-10-vitamindeficiencies/
Nutrition and You (2009). Power Your Diet. Retrieved January 4,
2014 from,http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/nuts_nutrition.html
Psychology Today (2013). How American Food Makes Us Fat
and Sick Retrieved Janurary 4, 2014 from,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/goodthinking/201306/how-american-food-makes-us-fat-and-sick