There is quite a bit of debate over whether or not supplementation is necessary in order to live a healthy lifestyle. Some theorize you can get all of the nutrients you need from the food that you eat but you and I know that the average person does not eat a “perfect” diet. Even if we did, there would still be scientists uncovering information that proves that we do not, in fact, consume or create all of the nutrients we need daily.
Our Diets Stink
Truth be told, the average American diet really does stink. We eat a ton of food and most of it is lacking in true nutritional value. Did you know that it is currently forecasted that a third of American children will eventually develop type 2 diabetes because of their diets?
So what's gone wrong? Why are we living shorter lives? Why are we so riddled with illness and disease? It's because we want fast meals that we can eat on the run; and it's because we do not pay enough attention to the amount of food we consume. As a result we end up eating foods that are very high in calories, sugar, fat, and artificial ingredients. A diet like this can only go on for so long before it starts causing inflammation and some pretty serious conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Don't feel bad, though. Even people who eat “healthy” diets aren't necessarily getting the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables the US Food Pyramid suggests. As a matter of fact, approximately 98% of the population falls short in that regard.
Why You Should Consider Supplementation
There is, believe it or not, plenty of research that suggests you can make up for the nutrients that are not in your diet by taking nutritional supplements. Studies have shown that individuals who took a variety of supplements over the course of 20 years were 395 less likely to develop blood pressure issues and 73% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
We're not talking about multivitamins alone, either. We're talking about high-quality nutrients your body needs, like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, and probiotics – just to name a few.
How to Choose a Good Supplement
There are a few things you should look for as you start to shop for supplements. Do some research about the ingredients contained within them. Have there been any clinical studies? Have they been proven effective? Stay away from supplements that have unnecessary ingredients like preservatives
and artificial flavoring. The less unnecessary junk you ingest, the better off you'll be.
Do you have questions about how to choose the right vitamins and supplements? Use my contact form to send me a message and I'll do my best to help you, whether you choose a Shaklee supplement or not!
