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Why take food supplements?

Is it really wise to take food supplement or is it just a waste of money? 

Fact is, food supplementation does help improve one's health. Read on what health is and how nutrition and food supplementation works.

Health, as defined in the World Health Organization (WHO) constitution:

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.[1]

The definition was updated in the 1986 WHO "Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion" to say health is a "resource for everyday life, not the objective of living", and "health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities."[2].

Physical Health

Physical fitness is good bodily health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.

Height

A strong indicator of the health of populations is height, which is generally increased by improving nutrition and health care, and is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics is also a major factor in people's height. The study of human growth, its regulators, and its implications is known as Auxology.

Mental health

Mental health is a concept that refers to a human individual's emotional and psychological well-being.Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life."

Nutrition

The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 2005, is a general nutrition guide for recommended food consumption.

Nutrition is the science that studies how what people eat affects their health and performance, such as foods or food components that cause diseases or deteriorate health (such as eating too many calories, which is a major contributing factor to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease). The field of nutrition also studies foods and dietary supplements that improve performance, promote health, and cure or prevent disease, such as eating fibrous foods to reduce the risk of colon cancer, or supplementing with vitamin C to strengthen teeth and gums and to improve the immune system.

Between extremes of optimal health and death from starvation or malnutrition, there is an array of disease states that can be caused or alleviated by changes in diet. Deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in diet can produce negative impacts on health, which may lead to diseases such as scurvy, obesity or osteoporosis, as well as psychological and behavioral problems. Moreover, excessive ingestion of elements that have no apparent role in health, (e.g. lead, mercury, PCBs, dioxins), may incur toxic and potentially lethal effects, depending on the dose. The science of nutrition attempts to understand how and why specific dietary aspects influence health.

THE UNHEALTHY COLON

To better understand the mechanics of colon disease, lets take a quick look at this organ and how it works: the colon (or large intestine) is the body's main channel for getting rid of solid waste matter. Food passes from the mouth (1st stage of digestion) into the esophagus to the stomach (where stomach acids help break down proteins, complex carbs and fats) - then into the small intestine (where most of the digestion is completed) and finally into the large intestine or colon.

Foods containing a lot of roughage is easier for the colon to grip and therefore is eliminated faster. Processed, overcooked and fastfoods do not have the necessary roughage - making it harder for the colon to do its work.

This is where the problems begin.

 Problems with the colon show themselves in two ways - disease of the colon, or disease of another body system directly caused by the colon. Here are a few of the most common illnesses:

ADHESIONS: as the colon's mucous membrane breaks down, the exposed, sticky bowel wall starts to stick to itself, forming tight tunnels which make the passage of feces very difficult.

BALLOONING: backed up feces create "balloons" in sections of the colon, causing painful, sometimes severe constipation.

COLITIS: inflammation of the colon, often compounded by stress.

DIVERTICULITIS: small sacs protruding from the bowel wall where the wall is weak (hernia). These small sacs trap feces and become a source of infection and inflammation.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: diarrhea, alternating with constipation, and gas. Compounded by stress.

MUCOSAL DYSFUNCTION: many forms, generally causing mucous build-up, pain, infection, and inflammation.

PROLAPSUS: when the transverse (middle section) of the colon literally falls (especially found in women who have had a hysterectomy) creating constipation and physical stress on other organs. It is especially dangerous for the uterus because a prolapsed colon blocks the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from reaching the uterus, disrupting menstrual cycles, and causing infertility.

SPASTIC BOWEL: spasm of the bowel muscle when it gets overworked, manifested in alternating constipation and loose stools, often induced by stress.

STRICTURES: bowel becomes very narrow in certain places, or it becomes stretched - making it difficult to pass feces through.

ULCERATION: irritation, abrasion and infection settle on colon muscle tissue causing open sores, bleeding and pain.

In order to prevent such problems, it is recommended that one regularly cleanses the colon.

Pink of Health Club recommends Cleanse of MeridianLife for colon cleansing.  Take 1 sachet Cleanse nightly for one week, about 2 hours after supper, well mixed with at least 500ml cool water. For maintenance, take Cleanse twice a week.  Every six months, do another week of colon cleansing. Cleanse cost P85.00 per sachet. Option:  Fiber Health   P12.00/cap

Pink of Health Club     Dr. 3 Chamber’s Bldg, Libertad Street, Bacolod City Tel.# 434-51-99

Contact: Rose Sabordo  Cell#  09272520732

4 Warning Signs Your Diet May Lack Fiber

 

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
By Wendy C. Fries
WebMD Feature

Is your diet short on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains? If so, you may not be getting all the fiber you need -- raising your risks for weight gain, heart diseaseheart disease, and cancercancer.

Though the symptoms of a fiber-poor diet aren't always clear-cut, there are four key warning signs to watch for:

  • Constipation: If you're having fewer than three bowel movements a week, and the stools are hard and dry, you're constipated. Constipation can result from lack of fiber, but also from too little exercise and certain medications and supplements.
    Prevention: If your constipation is diet-related, try adding more fiber-rich foods such as apples, raspberries, carrots, broccoli, or whole grains to your diet.
    Boosting your fiber intake can help form soft, bulky stools, relieving and preventing constipation. Be sure to add fiber slowly so your body gets used to it. And help yourself stay regular by drinking plenty of fluids and exercising regularly.
  • Weight Gain: "Fiber contributes to satiety," says Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, director of nutrition for WebMD. Satiety is that feeling of comfortable fullness you get after a meal. If you're not experiencing that feeling, Zelman says you may be eating more than your body needs.
    Prevention: Try meeting the recommended goal of 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily by enjoying fiber-filled foods like fresh fruit, whole grains, and seasonal vegetables. Choose the fiber-rich foods you like best; you're more likely to eat favorites often.
  • Blood Sugar Fluctuations: If you have diabetes and find controlling your blood sugar difficult, talk to your doctor: you may not be getting enough fiber.
    Prevention: Because fiber delays the absorption of sugar, helping you control blood sugar levels, try adding more fresh produce, beans and peas, brown rice, and other high-fiber foods to your diet. Remember to discuss any change in your diabetes management plan with your doctor.
  • Diet-Related Nausea & Tiredness: Getting most of your calories from a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet -- one rich in meat, eggs, and cheese and low in produce -- may lead not only to a rise in cholesterol, but also leave you nauseous, tired, and weak.
    Prevention: Try boosting your dietary fiber with the vitamin- and mineral-rich whole grains, fruits and vegetables your body needs, and cut back on fatty foods.

Fiber May Foil Disease and Relieve Chronic Conditions

A high-fiber diet not only helps you feel satiated and aids your digestion, but evidence suggests it's also a powerful disease fighter. Fiber may reduce your risk for illness, including:

  • High CholesterolHigh Cholesterol/Heart Disease: Studies show that a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in produce and whole grains can lower blood cholesterol by 0.5% to 2% for every gram of soluble fiber eaten daily.
    That's because soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping to eliminate it from the digestive system. This in turn lowers blood cholesterol, which reduces cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance. Sources of soluble fiber are oats, legumes (beans, peas, and soybeans), apples, bananas, berries, barely, some vegetables, and psylluim.
  • Diabetes: Fiber not only helps with diabetes management, but it may also be a powerful preventative.
    Studies suggest that a diet rich in cereal fiber may reduce your risk for diabetes by 28%. By contrast, research shows that a high-sugar, low-fiber diet can more than double a woman's risk of contracting type 2 diabetes.
  • Cancer: About one-third of cancer deaths may be diet-related, according to the National Cancer Institute.
    Research has shown, however, that diets low in fat and high in fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of some cancers, including those of the colon and rectum.
    HemorrhoidsHemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids, swollen veins near the anus and lower rectum, can develop when pushing or straining to have a bowel movement.
    Eating a high-fiber diet packed with produce and whole grains, and drinking plenty of liquids, can help prevent and relieve hemorrhoids by keeping stools soft so they pass through the digestive systems more easily. (Remember to consult your doctor if you have blood in your stools or bleeding from your rectum. These may be signs of a more serious condition.)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the large intestine are extra-sensitive to certain foods -- or lack of them -- resulting in cramping, bloating, gas, diarrheadiarrhea, and constipation.
    Though IBS has no cure, symptom relief can be found through medicine, stressstress reduction, and by avoiding triggers such as fatty foods, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Fiber, like that in bran, whole grains, and produce, reduces IBS symptoms -- especially constipation -- by making stools soft, bulky, and easier to pass.

Fiber Finish

A powerhouse nutrient like fiber can help you manage your weight, avoid disease, and relieve chronic conditions.

But when you're ready to give your diet a fiber boost -- and have talked with your doctor about your plans -- take it slowly. Too much fiber too fast can cause cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Prevent those problems by adding just a few grams of fiber at a time. Get into the habit of drinking a minimum of 2 cups of a calorie-free beverage between each meal to help avoid any problems.

Published May 30, 2006.

Updated Feb. 1, 2008.

SOURCES: Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, director of nutrition, WebMD. FDA web site: "Bulking Up Fiber's Healthful Reputation." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse web site: "What I Need to Know About Constipation." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "What I Need to Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome." FDA web site: "Vegetarian Diets: The Plusses and the Pitfalls" WebMD: "Digestive Diseases: FAQ." WebMD: "Take Your Health to Heart." Harvard School of Public Health: "Fiber: Start Roughing It!" National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Diet Myths." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic: "What Can I Eat? Understanding Carbohydrates & Fiber."