Article by Tim Leeming. Exercise Nutritionist.
Why do you take that supplement?
National data tells us that at least 47% of kiwis over the age of 15 have taken some sort of dietary supplement in the last year; it might be a particular vitamin, a fish oil, a sports supplement or a multi vitamin. In Australia and the USA, the statistics are similar. So what about you? Do you swallow some sort of pill or powder in aid of your nutrition? Why do you take it?
Nutritional supplements are to food what organised exercise is to movement. The point is that a daily multivitamin (for example) is as good to you as a left-handed hammer if you are otherwise eating a highly processed, unchanging and unnatural diet. It’s not a panacea.
Why do you take that supplement?
National data tells us that at least 47% of kiwis over the age of 15 have taken some sort of dietary supplement in the last year; it might be a particular vitamin, a fish oil, a sports supplement or a multi vitamin. In Australia and the USA, the statistics are similar. So what about you? Do you swallow some sort of pill or powder in aid of your nutrition? Why do you take it?
Nutritional supplements are to food what organised exercise is to movement. The point is that a daily multivitamin (for example) is as good to you as a left-handed hammer if you are otherwise eating a highly processed, unchanging and unnatural diet. It’s not a panacea.
When your gut is not flourishing with the diverse culture of friendly bacteria that comes from eating a whole food diet (consisting of seasonal vegetables and fruit, pasture-raised animal products, plenty of fermented foods and very limited processed stuff) then your supplement is a waste of time. Not only is your time and money going to waste, you are reinforcing a sorry state of current affairs. This westernised model of living in retrospect, reacting to poor health instead of being proactive about creating health, is exactly what has lead us to a position of choosing to supplement nutrients with pills instead of getting them straight from the source. Mother Nature has everything we need, but we’ve been fooled into believing that what she has to offer is better made in a laboratory.
This does not mean to say that there is no place whatsoever for nutritional supplements. Rather, the idea is that a supplement – whether it be a protein powder or a B-vitamin complex – is exceedingly more worthwhile when taken in conjunction with a healthy, diverse diet. In this case, the eater is likely to have a far superior nutrient status, which is going to better fuel the physiology required to process and utilise any supplement to its maximum potential.
Consider this the next time you are online or in your local pharmacy or health store. When you are loading your pockets with mysterious carb gels for your Saturday morning run, consider the bigger picture. Do you eat a steady diet that provides you with sufficient fuel for a strong immune system, robust digestive health, optimal brain function and maximal muscle performance and recovery on a daily basis? Do you look after yourself nutritionally, day in and day out? Or is this gel, pill, powder or potion just a mythical panacea?
If you need help establishing a steady diet that fuels health and performance, get in touch with us here. Alternatively, register for the upcoming Eat to Run Webinar.
http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/a-focus-on-nutrition-ch5.pdf
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.007~2011-12~Main%20Features~Supplements~400
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2565748
Article by Tim Leeming. Exercise Nutritionist.
This does not mean to say that there is no place whatsoever for nutritional supplements. Rather, the idea is that a supplement – whether it be a protein powder or a B-vitamin complex – is exceedingly more worthwhile when taken in conjunction with a healthy, diverse diet. In this case, the eater is likely to have a far superior nutrient status, which is going to better fuel the physiology required to process and utilise any supplement to its maximum potential.
Consider this the next time you are online or in your local pharmacy or health store. When you are loading your pockets with mysterious carb gels for your Saturday morning run, consider the bigger picture. Do you eat a steady diet that provides you with sufficient fuel for a strong immune system, robust digestive health, optimal brain function and maximal muscle performance and recovery on a daily basis? Do you look after yourself nutritionally, day in and day out? Or is this gel, pill, powder or potion just a mythical panacea?
If you need help establishing a steady diet that fuels health and performance, get in touch with us here. Alternatively, register for the upcoming Eat to Run Webinar.
http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/a-focus-on-nutrition-ch5.pdf
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.007~2011-12~Main%20Features~Supplements~400
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2565748
Article by Tim Leeming. Exercise Nutritionist.
