Do we really need supplements or can we get all our nutrition from food?

(NaturalNews) The simple answer is yes and yes.

Ideally, all of the nutrition we need can come from the food we eat. Unfortunately, in today's world, it usually doesn't. Even if food was grown in nutrient dense soil without contaminates, much of the nutrition is lost in its journey from the field to our table. And finally, food alone can only fill our nutritional needs if our bodies are able to absorb all of its nutrients and assimilate them properly.

Diet

If your diet consists of a wide variety of nutrient dense, organic whole foods, with lots of raw produce, locally grown (preferably in your back yard) and harvested at the right time for maximum nutrition, and your digestive system is working at peak performance, then you have little use for supplements. Those are a lot of ifs. And even with this kind of diet, which, incidentally, would be of far more benefit than any supplement regimen could ever be, there are still some supplements that can be of benefit.

Today's field to table journey is not conducive to optimum nutrition. Produce is picked before fully ripened, before reaching its full nutritional potential. Produce is often left in storage for long periods of time, and gassed or otherwise treated to last longer and appear ripened. The average distance and time from field to table is 1500 miles and 10-14 days. All the while, the food is losing its nutritive content.
Even local grocery stores have challenges in maintaining optimum nutritive value.

Health

The second consideration is whether your body can properly assimilate nutrients. Being healthy means you have a healthy immune system, which means the digestive system is working right. The problem is that Candida overgrowth is common due to the typical American diet, and Candida inhibits a healthy immune system. When the gut is out of balance, our bodies do not properly assimilate nutrients. Supplements can help us bridge the gap. Virtually everyone suffers from Candida overgrowth; sugar is just too easy to get in our modern society. There are two choices. A Candida detox is a must for almost everyone, and then the choices are to either eat a very strict diet or a good diet with regular intestinal supplemental maintenance. Obviously, the norm for those at the pinnacle of health is to eat extremely well almost all of the time and to take a strong probiotic or other Candida killer the few times we indulge in sweeter foods.

How do you get the proper nutrition?

If you cannot raise your own food, get to know your local farmer's markets and the farmers! Buy your food directly from a farmer, or join a CSA (community supported agriculture), if possible. Your diet should consist of a wide variety of foods that are nutrient dense and organic. Avoid processed foods and do not eat anything with artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, MSG, trans fats, or GMOs.

A full 80% of your diet should consist of fresh, raw, organic produce--more vegetables than fruit. Healthy fats will help you absorb and metabolize nutrients.

Even though you take these steps, today's food is not nearly as nutritious as food grown fifty years ago. And yet, it is best, if possible, to gain as much of your nutrition as you can through foods. Total Nutrition Powder, a combination of 14 nutritious ingredients, is an excellent means to supplement your diet. See the link below for the recipe to make your own.

Of course you should consider additional supplementation if you need it. Your health should be your greatest clue as to whether or not you require additional supplementation. Any supplements you add should be of high quality, and most are not. In fact, most multivitamins can do more damage than good. Stay away from cheap, synthetic vitamins and inorganic minerals. It's a great idea to supplement, as long as the supplements are not making up for a substandard diet.

Regardless of how healthy your diet is, and no matter how many other supplements you take, I suggest a good nutrition powder (recipe here), and do a Candida detox. See the first source for how to boost your immune system.

Sources:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.healingthebody.ca

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://truthwiki.org/Garlic

http://truthwiki.org/B_vitamins

http://truthwiki.org/Oregano

http://www.chgeharvard.org

http://mannatechscience.org

About the author:
Michael Edwards is the founder, owner, editor-in-chief, and janitor for Organic Lifestyle Magazine and Green Lifestyle Market. At age 17, Michael weighed more than 360 pounds. He suffered from ADHD, allergies, frequent bouts of illness, and chronic, debilitating insomnia.

Conventional medicine wasn't working. While he restored his health through alternative medicine he studied natural health and became immersed in it.