However in nutrition, like life, having a lot of one thing (money) does not necessarily guarantee longevity or happiness. If the capacity of a cup is five ounces, filling it with six, twelve, or thirty-two ounces does not make it 'fuller' or 'better.' What benefit does having more protein do for an athlete if there is insufficient energy from carbohydrates to transform that protein into muscle? If a supplement contains the highest amount of beta-carotene, what does it matter, when the excess beta-carotene can actually block the absorption of other valuable carotenes?



The same can be said of phytonutrients (phytonutrients are powerful antioxidents and naturally occurring compounds that contribute to the flavor, color, and disease resistance of plants - ie, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes). Why emphasize a single phytonutrient when there are literally thousands, many with functions that have yet to be identified? Considering the complete picture is much more important that focusing on one part. Moderation is more powerful than excess. Balance is better than emphasizing the contribution of a simple ingredient. And variety will generally produce greater benefits than a single nutrient.

A brief look at the science behind free radicals and antioxidants illustrates this message of balance, variety, and moderation. There are six classes of free radicals, which research shows may be largely responsible for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. These are referred to as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) test measures the 'seek and destroy' capacity of antioxidants against free radicals. Once the ORAC test was perfected, many formulators and companies contrived ways to exploit this value in an attempt to make their product appear 'fuller' or 'better.'

The principals of balance, variety, and moderation are the keys to success in life, work, and health. Simply loading the body up with supplements is not the answer. You must supplement your bodies natural production of all the vital amino acids, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and so on. Your body can only use a limited amount of these supplements, so feeding it more is simply wasting your time, and more importantly, wasting your hard earned money!

Make sure you do your research, but becareful if you talk to your medical doctor. Most MD's are not up on the natural supplement scene, so they tend to discount the value of such supplements. Visit a naturopath, they usually have 1 free consultation, search the internet, ask family and friends, and find out what the professional atheletes use.

If you follow some of these steps, you will have success in finding natural supplements that will have dramtic benefits on your body.