Optimal Nutrition: A Solid foundation for health

Optimal nutrition means different things to different people. We all know the basics: eat your vegetables, cut down on fats and sweets, drink plenty of water - things we've heard since we were kids. Some of us heed this advice and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, fiber and other wholesome foods. Others may eat broccoli once or twice a week and think that their nutritional bases are covered. Chances are, we could all benefit by doing more to ensure that our nutritional needs are being met. Why is this so important? Because optimal nutrition is essential for the healthy functioning of our bodies. Without it, subtle functional changes may occur that impede our progress on the road to vibrant health. You may not be aware of any problems, but that doesn't necessarily mean that your body is functioning optimally. An understanding of the many roles that nutrients play in the body is the first step in achieving that goal.

Nutrients For Life

The nutrients required to sustain life are the macronutrients (protiens, carbohydrates and fats), which supply energy and build tissue; the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), which are used to by the body in much smaller amounts but are important in the regulation of all body processes and also act as structural components; and water, the overall vital substance that sustains our life process.

By supplying our bodies with adequate amounts of these nutrients in the proper ratios, we help ensure optimal nutrition and a solid foundation for health. But what about you?

Are You Meeting Your Nutrient Needs?

You may not be receiving all of the nutrients you need from the foods you eat. According to recent health surveys, few of us consume the recommended five daily servings of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables and most of us don't even meet the Reference Daily Intake (RDIs) of several essential nutrients. Furthermore, because we each have our own unique nutritional needs that must be met for optimal well being, even meeting the RDIs may not be enough.

So how do you know if you are providing your body with the nutrients it needs? There are many signs that are indicative of optimal health:

• High energy
• Ideal weight
• Good muscle development
• Smooth and clear skin
• Glossy hair
• Clear eyes
• Normal appetite, digestion and elimination
• Alert mental functions

If you are lacking in any of these areas, your foundation for health may be missing some important pieces!

Micronutrients

Why is it vital that we supply our bodies with optimal and regular intake of all micronutrients? Because vitamins and minerals are essential for a myraid of physiological process. Some of these process include:

• Energy metabolism
• Growth and maintenance of skin, bones and other tissues
• Immune system function
• Brain function
• Hormone production and regulation
• Detoxification

Because each micronutrient plays indispensable and diverse rules, even a single deficiency can interfere with many different body functions and impact your health.

Some of the micronutrients have achieved greater fame than others; for instance, everyone knows that calcium is essential for strong bones, vitamin E is good for our skin and vitamin A is important for eyesight. But, do you know why we need zinc, niacin or vitamin B6?

Foundation For Health

Eating a well-balanced diet of wholesome, nutritious foods is the best way to meet your daily nutritional requirements. Unfortunately, despite our best intentions, few of us actually manage to eat a well-balanced diet for a variety of reasons: our busy lifestyles, dual-career households, the tendency to skip meals and frequent dieting all play a role.

By taking a scientifically-balanced multiple vitamin/mineral supplement every day, you will help to ensure that your body receives the optimum level of each vital nutrient it needs. This is an essential foundation for good health!