Vitamins And Supplements: Natural Food Stores In The Brick And Mortar World

While more and more traditional grocery markets are now featuring different types of vitamins and nutritional supplement products on their shelves, in the brick and mortar world natural food stores are perhaps the best resources for a wide selection of these types of products in this day and age. In many communities in different parts of the world, natural food stores are becoming more prominent features.

There are a number of definite benefits to making the purchase of vitamins and nutritional supplements at natural food stores located in the brick and mortar world. Perhaps the most significant benefit to be had from making purchases of these types of products at these stores is found in the fact that natural food stores maintain a wide selection of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

In addition to a wide selection of different types of products, these natural food stores in the brick and mortar world generally stock the newest types of products available to consumers interested in bettering their lives through the use of vitamins and related nutritional supplements.

In addition to inventory related issues -- which are important -- many natural food stores in the proverbial real world also maintain a staff of employees who are experienced in being able to help customers make the best possible decisions when it comes to vitamins and nutritional supplements. Through the expert information that these people can provide in many instances, a consumer is able to find and purchase the specific products that will best benefit a person.

Of course, there is a downside to shopping at natural food stores -- specifically, these markets tend to be more expensive than more traditional groceries in the brick and mortar world. Thus, some people tend to avoid natural food stores because of pricing issues. However, while it is true that products in these stores do tend to cost more than in a traditional market, as a rule the merchandise offered in a natural food store is of a higher quality than what can be found and purchased elsewhere. In addition, as mentioned previously, the staff members of natural food stores tend to be far more helpful in selecting the best possible products for your needs than the staffers you might find in other locales.

On balance, there truly are some significant benefits to be had by shopping at a natural food store for vitamins and nutritional supplements. If you have not stopped in to such a market, you would be well served by paying a visit.

Are you getting enough nutrition from your diet?

Why take Vitamins?

Vitamins are micronutrients that are essential to life and healthy living. And, as everyone is aware, failing to get the necessary amounts of specific vitamins can cause deficiency states that are unhealthy and even dangerous.

However, vitamins can play a much larger dietary role in our ongoing quest for health than the FDA's Reference Daily Intakes (formerly known as recommended daily allowances, or RDA's) might suggest.

As many scientific studies now indicate, vitamins, when taken in amounts greater than the RDI’s, may reduce the occurrence of certain illnesses and degenerative disorders, improve the functioning of the immune system, and, perhaps, even allow us to live longer and healthier lives.

Is my “Diet” adequate?

There is an increasing tendency to associate the word “diet” with special food combinations that help you lose weight, but this is not the true meaning of the word: simply put, your diet is what supplies the body with the vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and fiber it needs to sustain life—your life.

Without adequate amounts of healthy nutrients, it is a proven fact that you will become more vulnerable to infection and illness. Eyesight, memory, mood, energy level, lifespan—everything that defines your life experience is directly affected by what you eat. With so many food choices available, it’s important to know which foods are the best sources of nutrients, and how these nutrients function in the body.

Supplements? What are they, and should I be taking them?

Nutritional supplements are important for at least two simple reasons. The first is that many of us rely too much on fast foods and highly processed foods. And the second rationale for nutritional supplements is that evidence continues to mount that many of the nutrients and health promoting substances that we might take to achieve optimum health levels cannot be obtained through normal diet alone.

Of course, any nutrient that is not acquired through normal eating habits may be classified as a supplement. And this includes vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, as well as a host of other nutrients. The key to nutrition is to keep track of and know the amount of nutrients you are getting from your normal eating habits each day and if this is not meeting the RDI’s suggested requirements, you should be taking a multi-vitamin every day.

Here are the values suggested by the FDA, taken from, (“Daily Values” encourage healthy diets, by Paula Kurtzweil, member of the FDA’s public affairs staff)

• vitamin A 5,000 International Units (IU)
  
• vitamin C 60 milligrams (mg)
  
• thiamin 1.5 mg
  
• riboflavin 1.7 mg
  
• niacin 20 mg
  
• calcium 1.0 gram (g)
  
• iron 18 mg
  
• vitamin D 400 IU
  
• vitamin E 30 IU
  
• vitamin B6 2.0 mg
  
• folic acid 0.4 mg
  
• vitamin B12 6 micrograms (mcg)
  
• phosphorus 1.0 g
  
• iodine 150 mcg
  
• magnesium 400 mg
  
• zinc 15 mg
  
• copper 2 mg
  
• biotin 0.3 mg
  
• pantothenic acid 10 mg
  

Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs)
(Based on National Academy of Sciences' 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowances)

Vitamin and Mineral - Are You a Fool or Just Acting Like One?

It is a well-known fact that vitamins and minerals are essential to good health. People who are young are healthy might rarely think about taking dietary supplements. We all know that human nature has a lazy side.

But when illness hits it is often too late. Years of abuse and lack of nutriments can't be fixed in a matter of weeks. People go to their medical office expecting miracles from their doctors…sad.

Why not take the less traveled road of wisdom? Play it safe. Start young and built good healthy habits now! Don't wait till sickness hits you. Even if your lifestyle is less than perfect at least by learning about vitamins and minerals, you will be aware of what helps to keep you healthy versus what is detrimental to your health.

Many people play Russian roulette with their lives by smoking an endless number of cigarettes, drinking alcohol to excess and eat junk food on a regular basis. Your body is a way too patient machine. I wish sometime it would react like a car. Put crappy or wrong fuel into your car and don't change the oil for a long time without even topping it off. The pride of your driveway will overheat, smoke and die on the spot pretty quickly. But the marvelous machine, which is your body, will keep on ticking for a long time without skipping a beat until one day…

Wake up now!

Another great reason to consider vitamins and minerals supplementation is the potential cancer prevention some vitamins are believed to provide. Research suggests that vitamin E and vitamin A help combat skin cancer. Applying sunscreen is one thing, but giving what your body needs to fight off the harsh rays is way better in my opinion. But some people will take the easy road and apply a double coat of sunscreen instead…which will keep the pharmacists happy, but what about your body? Yes, human nature has a lazy side.

Women in particular have special vitamin and mineral needs in relation to both osteoporosis and pregnancy issues. By supplementing with calcium on a daily basis, much of the risk for osteoporosis can be offset. For women who are pregnant or considering it, folic acid is an essential supplement. This vitamin B can prevent birth defects in newborn babies.

Men have issues as well. They can be fought through proper vitamin and mineral intake. Taking vitamin E supplements could reduce cardiovascular problems. They are believed to play an important role in keeping the cholesterol and blood pressure levels low in men over forty. Vitamin E helps in keeping the arteries clean which is an important factor.

While there is never a fail proof plan when it comes to vitamin and mineral supplementation, the facts does suggest that risks may be, while not completely eliminated, at least reduce and conditions may be improved through vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Body Building & Vitamins

Body building requires alot of work dedication and of course a good idea of health and nutrition. One major aspect of body building includes diet and nutrition. Making sure the body has all the required amno acids, enzymes, proteins, carbs, minerals, vitamins and nutrients can be stressful and sometimes impossible in todays busy life style.

Finding time to work out is hard enough for most people. Eating right sometimes gets neglected by some people which leads to more harm then good when working out. Our body requires alot of nutrients to build big muscles. On average a person who wants to gain muscle mass has to eat his wieght in grams of protein a day. along with some 4000 carbs to keep the body fueled for maximum body efficiency. Take into consideration that the average male is 165 pounds and a serving of chicken the size of your palm is about 20 grams of protein, a person would have to eat around 6 chicken breast a day atleast to ensure good results. A bowl of pasta can contain a few hundred carbs. Eating 10 bowls of pasta a day can be difficult for some people. These facts are all in retrospect to the fact that every body is different. But as you can see finding time for a proper diet can be hard.

Working muscles require carbs for fuel, and teared muscles require protein to re-build. While other nutrients help circulate blood increase oxygen concentration in muscles and increase the overall efficiency of the muscles. Body builders have very strict diets that regulate almost every meal they have so that they have maximum results. Vitamins are a very important for healthy living and are often over-looked. Some vitamins are hard to acquire in a daily diet and a supplement is the only logical solution. Although supplements do not have all the other nutrients that healthy food might, they can compensate for some slack in your modern diet.