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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Food Alone will not Nourish

Q: Can I get all of the mineral and vitamins if I choose to eat healthy? Why would I need a multivitamin?

A: When it comes to obtaining the micronutrients your body needs, your best bet is food, especially fruits and vegetables. But circumstances may prevent you from eating optimally every day. The main reason I recommend supplements is for insurance. Latest research has found that some important vitamins (D and E), minerals and plant phyto-extracts are protective against disease in amounts that may be difficult to obtain through diet alone, no matter how conscientious you are. This is one of the reasons I encourage my patients to take supplements.

Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients so it can build healthy cells. In our modern world, you just can't get all the nutrition your body needs (unless you're growing your own food in organically-rich soil and eating it straight from the garden). Informed supplementation helps fill the nutritional gaps that are pretty much unavoidable in your daily intake of food. However, supplementing doesn't mean you can make up for a poor diet by popping a few pills. You also may flush your money away if you take minerals without adequate amounts of vitamins because minerals depend on vitamins in order to be effective. Some vitamins and minerals that work together include calcium and magnesium (which also need Vitamins C and D to be most effective), Vitamin A and zinc, and iron and Vitamin C. There are many more that work together in a process we know as synergy.

Herbs such as green tea extract and curcumin are now frequently added to the daily multivitamin/mineral formula. They are among many phyto-chemicals that help us fight diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and others. Anti-oxidant such as Coenzyme Q 10 is also a good companion especially if supporting the heart and cardiovascular system.

Unfortunately, supplements industry is poorly standardized and poorly regulated, so consumers can spend a lot of money needlessly. It's therefore important to learn the difference between quality supplements and hype.

To help my patients make the right choices, I have sourced those companies that make superior hypoallergenic products without additives and fillers. To make it even easier I have had them package different nutrients, vitamins, minerals and herbs in an easy to use daily package. Each package already contains all the pills you need for the day. We call it the TNC Pack or the Stress Pack. Depending on individual needs, these pre-packed nuggets have full doses of all your nutrients plus herbs. It is full proof and easy to use. Just take out a pack a day and you are set to start your daily routine.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist