Is the RDA Enough for Optimal Health?
In the June 19, 2002 edition of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Dr.’s Robert Fletcher and Kathleen Fairfield of Harvard University had completed a 38 year study of scientific evidence that concluded that the current North American diet, while sufficient to prevent vitamin deficient disease it is insufficient to support the need for optimal health.
“Insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic disease. Recent evidence has shown that suboptimal levels of vitamins (below standard), even well above those causing deficiency syndromes, are risk factors for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. A large portion of the general population is apparently at increased risk for this reason.” ~Dr. Robert Fletcher and Dr. Kathleen Fairfield
Where do we find the main source of vitamins and minerals? They are located in your fruits and vegetables. Health experts have long recommended at least five daily servings of each. One study has shown that only 20% of Americans actually get that amount. This study was done by phone with 24,000 adults in 16 states (likely an optimistic figure, as such telephone-based studies tend to over-report actual values). If this is true and if we are honest with ourselves, then how do we ensure that we get the right amount of nutrients to ensure “Optimal Health”.
As a society not only are we not eating enough of the proper food groups, the foods that we do eat fall very short of the key nutrients and are extremely high in calories. We also no longer, as a majority, sit down to a balanced meal daily because of, not only the stress of life, but because of our fast paced life. Most families do not grow their own produce and instead rely on commercial agriculture to meet their daily nutritional needs.Â
Did you know for over the past 60 years, commercial farms have steadily relied on chemical fertilizers to grow their crops? “During the late forties, growers found that three minerals, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), left over from the post-war armaments industry, produced fine-looking crops. The subsequent use of these nutrients quickly replaced traditional mulching and manuring, and, over time, the use of NPK fertilizers contributed to the depletion of many essential micronutrients from our soils. This long-term consequence of this folly has been a steady erosion in the nutritional health of our nations and inexorable rise in the incidence of degenerative disease. Unquestionably, NPK fertilizers, a destructive legacy of WWII, have played a major role in contributing to sub-clinical nutritional deficiencies and chronic degenerative disease that afflict our world”. Then to make matters even worse is the commercial processing of nutrient deficient foods that further depletes their nutritional value.Â
Then what can we do? Go organic as much as you are able through your local farmers’ markets. This is a good first step. Be sure to get as much as possible of five fruits and vegetables each and every day. Lastly, fortify your diet with a high quality nutritional supplement. Please note that not all supplements are made the same!!! Please just don’t run to the store to pick up anything that looks good! I will be back next week to help guide you to quality products.Â
*Info taken from “Nutritional Supplements Professional Edition”, by: Lyle MacWilliam MSc, FP
Optimal Health Definition:
• High energy
• restful and rejuvenating sleep
• no chronic pain (painful accidents can occur)
• live to over 100 years
• ability to have satisfying sex
• exercise as energizing and enjoyable
• no digestive or elimination problems
• infections easily overcome or rarely appear
• no allergic reactions
• breathing is easy and energizing
• reproduce healthy offspring if you choose
• feeling of joy, satisfaction, optimism
• easily deal with most emotional stresses and anxiety
• ability to focus mentally
• your 5 senses function well
• no chronic illness
• rarely require a sick day
• healthy oral cavity
• hormonal balance
This is just a slight overview of the many benefits of Optimal Health.Â
