There are 100's of suggested diets that promise to be the 'next-best-thing' and even more opinions on how to be 'top-notch-healthy.'
But, one fact that almost everyone agrees on is - A variety of veggies and fruit will provide your body with all the nutrients and vitamins it needs. There's no denying that.
There's just one problem - we are not consuming enough of it...
We're falling short
A USDA food consumption survey found that the average American falls far short of the daily recommendation of 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables —consuming only 0.9 cups of fruit and 1.4 cups of vegetables per day.
Not only are we not eating enough fruit and vegetables, but according to USDA records, their nutritional values are lower today than in the 1970s.
The produce we eat today is of less quality and effective due to a few reasons, including:
- Commercial farming and chemical fertilizers deprive the soil of vital nutrients, essential vitamins, and minerals. And the food we eat is only as good as the soil it grows in.
- Vitamins in fresh produce are often depleted because they have been shipped long distances and stored for long periods before reaching the store shelves. Sometimes, produce is harvested weeks or months before your purchase!
- Due to aging and changing food quality and choices, we have a more challenging time digesting food and absorbing the nutrients we need.
Nutritional imbalances or a nutrient deficit can cause serious health consequences and affect your daily life and well-being.
A nutrient deficiency can cause the following symptoms and problems:
- Poor sleep quality
- Chronic fatigue and lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Dry or brittle hair and skin
- Slow-healing wounds
- Poor digestion
- Weak immune system
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The Solution
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So what are the solutions for poor quality produce and our inability to consume the recommended daily fruit and veg servings?
Choosing to buy local, organic, and in-season and trying to include a fruit or vegetable at every meal and snack.
Buying local, organic, and in-season produce is the best for getting the maximum amount of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. When buying at your local farmer's markets or even starting your own garden, you will get the highest quality fruit and veg!
When you include fruit or veg (or both) at every meal, you will very quickly reach that recommended daily amount.
Nutritional supplements
Nutritional supplements can help compensate for depleted nutrients and close any nutrient gaps to increase and maintain nutrients and vitamins in the body.
Supplements are not a replacement for healthy eating but can enhance our diets for optimal well-being and functioning.
At Country Life Natural Foods, we strive to provide our customers with the best whole foods and products for optimal health. We also understand that healthy eating can sometimes be challenging in a chaotic world!
Below are some of the supplements we stock that can significantly impact your and your family's health for the better.
Our Haven Life range has been manufactured via the NOW company to ensure high quality and safety standards.
Quercetin With Bromelain 120 Veg Capsules
Quercetin is a naturally occurring antioxidant that scavenges and neutralizes free radicals within the body and cells. Quercetin can:
- Support a healthy seasonal immune system function
- Help to promote normal respiratory function.
- Help with allergies
- Protect against the damage caused by LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Reduce blood pressure in people who have hypertension.
- Reduce symptoms of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
- Inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme mixture derived from the stem, fruit, and juice of the pineapple plant and has a long history of use by herbalists.
Bromelain has potential health benefits, including treatment for osteoarthritis, treating cardiovascular diseases, helping with asthma and chronic sinusitis, and supporting the immune system's response to environmental challenges.
Vitamin D-3 & K-2 1,000 IU 45 MCG
This supplement combines two nutriets known for their contribution to healthy bones, teeth, and cardiovascular system.
Vitamin D3 promotes calcium transport and absorption. It helps to strengthen bones and muscles, reduces inflammation, and improves heart function. Recent studies indicate that vitamin D3 may affect proper insulin action and glucose metabolism. It also has a vital part within the immune system.
Vitamin K is critical for forming a healthy, strong bone matrix and regulating blood calcium levels. Vitamin K' can support proper calcium metabolism in vascular structures.
Vitamin K2 is a readily active and biologically available form of Vitamin K.
Note! People who use blood-thinning medications should consult their doctor before consuming additional vitamin K.
Allium Biotic 60 Count
This non-Drowsy AlliBiotic is a herbal combination of garlic extract, olive leaf extract, elderberry, and oregano, formulated to support a healthy immune system.
Garlic extract has been used for centuries to promote overall wellness. It helps to boost the immune system, reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and has antibiotic properties.
Olive leaf extract reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers blood pressure, supports weight loss, reduces inflammation, and eliminates free radicals.
Elderberry is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that can boost your immune system, fight inflammation, lessen stress, help to protect your heart, and assist with preventing and easing cold and flu symptoms.
ImmunEnhancer, a non-digestible soluble fiber from larch, has also been included as a prebiotic supplement to support healthy intestinal flora.
Thyroid Support 90 Count
A nutritional supplement that supports a healthy thyroid gland and metabolism. It has combined iodine and tyrosine, the two constituents necessary for synthesizing thyroid secretions.
Iodine is an essential element in the functioning of a healthy thyroid but is not made by the body itself. It is used for the production of thyroid hormones. It is vital in pregnant women as it is needed to ensure the development of a baby's brain during pregnancy and early life.
Tyrosine is an essential precursor to thyroid hormones and adrenal hormones. It is necessary for regulating metabolic processes throughout the body.
Selenium, zinc, and copper have been added as cofactors for normal thyroid function. In addition, Thyroid Energy has the ayurvedic herbal extract ashwagandha to complement its nutritional support components.
B-100 100 Count
B-100 Caps provide a full complement of B vitamins plus choline and inositol. These vitamins promote the health of the nervous system, support energy production, and maintain a healthy homocysteine metabolism. B vitamins are water-soluble and, except for B-12, have limited storage in the body and thus require daily replenishment.
Vitamin B-12 plays a crucial role in cell metabolism, red blood cell formation, nerve function, and the production of DNA.
Vitamin B-3 (niacin) improves blood fat levels, may reduce blood pressure, may help boost brain function, treat type 1 diabetes, and improves skin health.
Vitamin B1, or thiamin, can help to prevent complications in the nervous system, heart, brain, muscles, stomach, and intestines. It also helps the flow of electrolytes into and out of muscle and nerve cells.
Dietary sources of Vitamin B are of animal origin only (meat and dairy), and supplementation with B-12 may be essential for vegetarians.
Plant Enzymes 120 Count
This comprehensive blend of enzymes, including lactase, protease, papain, and bromelain plant enzymes, helps to support proper digestion.
It assists in the breakdown of fats, fiber, proteins, and carbohydrates, thus optimizing the availability of nutrients in the food you eat.
Lactase supports the digestion of dairy products for those sensitive to lactose.
Protease allows for the digestion of proteins and the absorption of amino acids, boosts immune function, promotes cardiovascular health, accelerates tissue repair, and possibly prevents colon cancer.
Papain is a proteolytic enzyme found in papaya. It helps break down the bonds between amino acids, the building blocks of proteins aiding digestion.
Spirulina Organic 200 Count
Pure, nutrient-rich, certified organic spirulina - a blue-green microalga with naturally occurring protein and other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
Spirulina delivers the natural nutrient profile found in genuine whole foods. Benefits of spirulina include:
- It's rich in many nutrients.
- Boasts powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- May lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
- May have anti-cancer properties.
- It can reduce blood pressure.
- Improves symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
To supplement or not?
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Supplements are not a fad but are also only meant to be supplementary and enhance the benefits already provided by eating a well-rounded diet.
Supplements could and should never replace real food. A nutrient-packed salad can do much more for you than any pill or supplement!
It is also best to consult your health practitioner for personal supplement suggestions according to your needs and health concerns.
You can find a variety of supplements to support your and your family's health here!
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