It is now widely believed amongst doctors that nutritional supplements are a vital addition to a healthy nutritional programme. It has become increasingly difficult to intake optimum levels of nutrients from food intake alone, especially vitamins and minerals. This is partly due to a rise in demand by our bodies for these nutrients and also as a result of depletion of nutrients in the food that we eat.



Vitamins and Minerals

The role of vitamins in the body is to support healthy immune functions and to eliminate harmful free radicals. Free radicals are generated as a result of chemical reactions within the body (particularly respiration and digestion) and are highly volatile particles, which damage human cells. Over extended periods of time, constant bombardment of our cells by free radicals can initiate the development of degenerative conditions and diseases. Therefore, an optimal intake of vitamins and minerals can help to reduce free radical damage and assist in the fight against degenerative disease.

Minerals also have many inportant purposes in our bodies, acting on cells, tissues and organs. All of our body processes depend on minerals to activate the enzymes, which perform those bodily functions.

Our demand for antioxidants and minerals is now greater than ever due to the excessively harmful environment that we live in. Environmental pollutants, toxic chemicals in the water supply and higher levels of radiation from the sun support our increased requirements for anti-oxidants. In addition, stress, lack of sleep and bad food choices will add to free radical occurance. The food choices that we make today are regularly devoid of the important antioxidants and minerals that we need for our bodies to function properly.

Low Glycemic Foods

Diseases such as Obesity and Diabetes are largely a result of poor food selection. Typically, high calorific foods contribute to Obesity, but the significance of high glycemic foods cannot be disregarded. High glycemic foods (high glycemic Index) are those that sugar fastest once inside your body, such as sweets, cakes and refined carbohydrates (white bread, white pasta, etc). These kinds of foods cause sudden rises in blood sugar levels. As blood sugar levels plummit, you will experiences a drop in energy and cravings for high glycemic foods (carbohydrate cravings). If you regularly succumb to your cravings, this will increase your food consumption. Over a long period of time your body becomes unable to regulate after dramatic increases in blood sugar levels, which can in turn lead to the onset of type two Diabetes.

If you have weight loss plans or concerns about diabetes, then low glycemic, nutritionally balanced meal replacements and healthy snacking options can offer you assistance.

To discover Usana’s range of world-leading, pharmaceutical grade multivitamins, multiminerals and healthy snacks, please click on the product overview tab at http://www.usanainhealth.com/products

Author: Andrew Smith, creator of the blog at http://www.usanainhealth.com