Why We Need To Supplement Our Diet (PART 3)

The following are the 3 basic nutritional support modalities which include the following:

1. Prophylactic nutrition: This is using supplements in the prevention of health related problems along with dietary and lifestyle modifications. Prevention of disease is the real key to living a longer and better quality life.

2. Therapeutic nutrition: This is related to specific nutritional health problems or diseased states. By temporarily increasing the intake of specific nutrients we help to compensate for our bodies increased needs caused by trauma, disease, surgery, stress etc. In this way we supply the body with critical co-factors to stimulate the bodies healing mechanisms.

3. Accesory nutrients: These are the nutrients that our body already makes. In some people they become a conditionally essential nutrient when the body does not make enough to meet its demands as in a diseased state. In this manner they must be supplied to the body in higher dosages by supplementation. Some accesory nutrients include carnitine, inositol, co-enzyme Q10, lecithin, glutathione, glutamine, amino acids ,and many others.

Balanced intake: The most important rule in taking supplements is to use the proper balance of all the nutrients. The ratio of one nutrient to another is critical in maintaining a balanced intake and support of cellular function. The presence or absence of a nutrient may effect the availability, absorption, metabolism, or dietary needs for others. The form of the vitamin may also be importasnt, because some binding (chelating) agents help to absorb the nutrient and deliver it more efficiently. The cheap one a days advertised as the best multiple out there are the worst. You can not fit everything you need into a one a day vitamin. If you have health problems it is best to seek the advice of a healthcare professional trained in nutritional medicine.

Well folks this concludes my 3 part series on supplements. If you have any questions or comments please give me a call.

Tom Mantos
(732) 219-9636
www.MetabolicNutrition.Meta-ehealth.com