The importance of
vitamins and
minerals to your health really goes without saying. They play a vital role in maintaining the proper biological functioning of everything from muscles to memory. Now, nutritionists and dietitians will tell you that you can get all these important micronutrients from simply consuming a “balanced diet;” however...
The problem is … few of us even know what a “balanced diet” is, let alone consume one. “The reality is, it’s becoming more and more apparent that many vitamin RDAs may be too low, and food alone doesn’t always provide enough vitamins and minerals,” says nutrition columnist Dr. Jeffry Life. A recent report by the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that 80 percent of women and 70 percent of men consume less than two-thirds of the Recommended Daily Allowances for one or more nutrients.
What do I Do?: Consume a good-quality
multivitamin/mineral supplement daily. “It’s difficult to obtain protective levels of some nutrients solely from diet,” says Dr. Lester Packer, a now-retired professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. “
Supplements are clearly required.”
