Do you have a Phytonutrient Gap?
As a former college football All-American and now as an athletic trainer I get to see sports performance and physical health from both perspectives. Lets just say now I understand why my mom used to say, “Eat all of your vegetables!” She may not have known the specifics of why she gave that command but she did know that fruits and vegetables were healthy and give our bodies some good benefits. Let’s talk about why fruits and vegetables are so important to optimal health, having energy and living the good life!
Between work, home, and social obligations, most of us struggle to eat the range of food that experts agree are essential to support our bodies with the nutrients required for good health, vitality, and longevity. Many times we don’t provide our bodies with the recommended amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients from food. It’s so easy to fall short of providing the nutritional benefits of fruit investable’s associated with good health.
In 2005 the federal recommendations for fruits and vegetables increased from 5-9 servings to 5-13 servings per day for adults. Unfortunately, despite known health benefits of higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, very few Americans are consuming these recommended intake levels. Given that fruit and vegetable intakes are below satisfactory for most people, it is reasonable to conclude that intake of the PHYTONUTRIENTS typically provided in these foods is less than satisfactory, too. As a result, there is what top researchers and scientists call a “phytonutrient gap” among the majority of Americans.
What are PHYTONUTRIENTS?
Phytonutrients are naturally occurring chemicals in plants that help fight off insects, resist disease, promote healthy growth, and enhance survival. PHYTONUTRIENTS literally means plant (phyto) substance needed for good health (nutrient). PHYTONUTRIENTS are the natural nutrients found in plants, such as LYCOPENE from tomatoes, RESERATROL from grapes, and LUTEIN from spinach leaves. We often don’t consume enough of these protective PHYTONUTRIENTS through diet alone, which is why it’s important to take SUPPLEMENTS. I will recommend some safe and effective plant based food supplements that I use, believe in and recommend to my clients and elite athletes I train and work with. But first lets learn a little more about PHYTONUTRIENTS and why they are so essential to good health.
In a report known as “America’s Phytonutrient Report” done by top researchers and scientists at the Nutrilite Health Institute it was found that eating more fruits and vegetables has been associated with a decreased risk for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of key nutrients, such as potassium, dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamins A, C and E. Also, they contain naturally occurring compounds referred to as phytochemicals or phytonutrients, which may have health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Therefore, in simple terms, most Americans could become healthier by choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables daily.
Are you missing important benefits from food and nutrition that could help keep you healthy and energized? Do you have large nutrition gaps in your diet that could potentially lead to bad health? If you’re not finding a way to get the recommended 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet then you are at risk.
What can we do to bridge the gap and why do I need a supplement?
The American Medical Association recommends that all adults take one multivitamin daily. This is true even if you already eat a diet rich in fresh, whole, natural foods, because the foods you consume often don’t supply all the vitamins and minerals you need, at the recommended levels. If you’re going to supplement, why not start with the world’s best multi? NUTRILITE® DOUBLE X® Vitamin/Mineral/Phytonutrient.
References: www.nutrilite.com, http://amway.com
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Domonique Hargrove M.S., B.A. Founder of “Slight Edge Performance Program”
Visit my online nutrition store at www.SlightEdgePerformance.net and get NSF Certified for Sport, plant based supplements that help fuel athletes to reach peak performance.
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