Are Nutritional Supplements Really Necessary?How important are nutritional supplements? There's an old saying "you are what you eat". In other words, the food you put into your body has much to do with the way your body - and you - function. Stress is a total body experience. When you have to face a stressful situation the physical condition of your body will affect your potential ability to manage that stress. Most people wouldn't (knowingly) put inferior quality gas or oil into their cars. They know their car wouldn't run as smoothly and might even become damaged. So it is with your body. It's an amazing creation that can take alot of abuse, but works best when it's dietary needs are well supplied. So what does your body require and are you getting what you need?USDA Dietary guidelines state we should have lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Problem is, most of us in America are not following this guideline.The American Heart Association recommends we get 2 servings of fatty fish (like salmon) a week to fulfill our requirement for omega-3's. Since most Americans don't eat this much fish, there is need for most people to supplement to get the necessary omega 3's. Much of the population doesn't even take in enough vitamin C in their diets, even though that's a nutrient fairly easy to get enough of if you're eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables. National surveys show that over 90% of Americans do not get the recommended amounts of Vitamin E - a nutrient that reduces risk of heart disease. As you can see, we just don't get all the nutrients that the USDA recommends we should have. USDA CriteriaAnd as for the USDA criteria, it was developed for healthy people under normal circumstances to prevent the development of deficiency diseases. It's more like the minimum amount of a specific nutrient needed to stay healthy. It's not meant to be a guide to determine optimal nutritional needs. Dr. Sears (www.askdrsears.com) likened it to the minimum wage - enough to stay alive, but may not be enough to thrive.Nutrition and StressSo what does all this have to do with stress? Everything! Stress is a whole body experience. When your body is being supplied with the optimal, balanced nutrition it needs, it will operate at a higher level. You'll have more energy, improved immune system, clearer thinking, and a better mood - all the ingredients that help a person to feel ready to take on the world. Proper nutrition gives you that edge you need to manage the stress you'll be facing throughout the day.So what kind of nutritional supplements are the best to take? Read to find out the differences between liquid supplements and pills. Return from Nutritional Supplements to Nutrition and Stress Return from Nutritional Supplements to Home
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