For years, many so-called health “experts” stubbornly maintained that dietary supplements were ‘unnecessary.’ Well-informed nutritionists, however, have long known the importance of supplementation. Now, it has become evident that most Americans cannot obtain adequate levels of required nutrients through diet alone.[1]
Fact: Your Foods Are Officially “Deficient”
As far back as 1936, U.S. Senate Document No. 264 stated the following:
“The alarming fact is that foods — fruits and vegetables and grains — [are] now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contain enough of certain needed nutrients, no matter how much of them we eat!”[2]
More recently, nationwide surveys show that less than 3% of the population consume foods from all food groups in the recommended amounts.[3] Furthermore, research analysis shows considerable variation in the intake of important nutrients from day to day. Unfortunately, many traditional studies have failed to consider this important factor.[4]
Another aspect to be considered is food preparation, which decreases the activity of some vitamins. Keeping food hot longer than 2 hours, for example, results in more than a 10% loss of vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B6. Vitamins are also destroyed during chilling, storage, and reheating, including more than 30% of vitamin C and folate.[5,6] Plus, folate requirements are increased when alcohol is consumed.
Researchers Warn: The ‘Typical American Diet’ Will Not Keep You Healthy
In order to remain healthy, all adults should take a multivitamin every day, according to a report recently published by two Harvard doctors in the highly respected Journal of the American Medical Association.[5]
This landmark report soundly contradicts the widespread “official” opinions such as ‘vitamins supplements are unnecessary’ and ‘the typical American diet provides all the nutrients needed for good health.’ As the Harvard researchers pointed out, those ideas are no longer defensible, since a large proportion of the general population — due to insufficient, sub-optimal dietary vitamin intake — is at increased risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. Besides insufficient nutrient intake, aging is associated with decreased absorption of certain vitamins, including B12.[5]
Why Most Adults Should Avoid Iron & Copper Supplements
Although most vitamin-mineral supplements contain iron and/or copper, the majority of Americans would be better off avoiding these heavy metals. While some people may need to supplement with iron and/or copper, these metals have been shown to promote the formation of toxic free radicals, unstable molecular fragments that damage and destroy the body’s cells.[7] Free radicals have long been known to promote multiple diseases including atherosclerosis, heart disease, cancer, inflammatory joint disease, asthma, diabetes, senile dementia and degenerative eye disease to name a few.[8]
Consequently, medical experts now recommend that only individuals who have been tested and found to have insufficient levels of iron or copper should consider consuming them in supplement form.
Even highly respected news organizations are now reporting that most Americans get too much iron in their diets, and that iron supplementation has been linked to various disorders including heart disease.[9] Researchers have discovered that iron has been shown to promote free radical attacks on cholesterol, a process thought to increase the damage to arteries that ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, a revealing 2006 study published in the Archives of Neurology showed that older people whose diets are high in copper, saturated fats and trans fats experienced a much faster rate of mental decline.[1] This ground-breaking , 6-year study of more than 3,700 people (aged 65 or older) showed that those who consumed at least 1.6 milligrams of copper a day, along with high levels of saturated and trans fats, experienced 3 times more loss in mental function. Most of the study participants with high copper levels were taking multivitamins containing copper.[10]
Equally alarming, copper has been strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Too much copper in the blood can block the body’s ability to destroy the proteins that form the plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.[11]
Choosing the Right Vitamin/Mineral Supplement
Designed to be sold exclusively through health professionals, a superior iron- and copper-free multi-vitamin/mineral supplement called Opti-Formula 3000 is now available directly to consumers. This concentrated, full-spectrum formulation is a science-based blend of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and natural mixed carotenoids.
Formulated from only the highest quality, research-based ingredients, Opti-Formula 3000 has unique health advantages over ordinary multi-vitamin/mineral supplements. Based on current research findings, Opti-Formula 3000 provides a superior form of folate/folic acid (Metafolin), shown to be the only form of folate capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier where it can provide the most benefit.
Also, because Vitamin D is critical to maintaining overall health, a full 1000 I.U. of Vitamin D3 has been added to this exclusive formulation . This superior multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, usually available only through doctors, can now be purchased directly from LifeWise Naturals at a considerable savings.
Related Articles:
References:
1. The Right Dose – How to Take Vitamins & Minerals Safely, Hausman, Patricia; Emmaus,
PA: Rodale Press, 1987.
2. U.S. Senate Document No. 264, United States Government Printing Office, 1936.
3. Dietary diversity in the US population, NHANES II, 1976-1980, Kant AK, et al, J Am Diet
Assoc, 91(12):1526-31, Dec 1991.
4. Variability of Nutrient Intake Over a Three Day Period, Guthrie HA and Crocetti AF, J Am
Diet Assoc, 85(3):325-7, Mar 1985.
5. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: clinical applications, Fletcher RH and
Fairfield KM, JAMA, 287(23):3127-9, June 19, 2002.
6. Vitamin retention in cook/chill and cook/hot-hold hospital food-services, Williams PG, J
Am Diet Assoc, 96(5):490-8, May 1996.
7. Minimization of free radical damage by metal catalysis of multivitamin/multimineral
supplements, Rabovsky AB, Komarov AM, Ivie JS, Buettner GR, Nutr J, 9:61, Nov 23, 2010.
8. The role of free radicals in disease, Florence TM, Aust NZ, J Ophthalmol, 23(1):3-7, Feb 1995.
9. Evidence suggests that giving blood has health benefits, CNN Health, April 26, 2000.
10. Dietary copper and high saturated and trans fat intakes associated with cognitive decline,
Morris MC, Evans DA, Tangney CC, Bienias JL, Schneider JA, Wilson RS, Scherr PA, Arch Neurol, 63(8):1085-8, Aug 2006.
11. Copper Damages Protein That Defends Against Alzheimer’s, http://www.sciencedaily.com/
releases/2007/11/071107074329.htm.
NOTICE: The information herein is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat or prevent any disease or endorse any brand or product. For medical advice consult a health care professional.
Copyright 2010 by Nutrition Information Services
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