Food First Approach

Posted by Charlotte Miller on

Following our vitamin series it’s worth touching on a food first approach and why we looked at all the food sources of the vitamins rather than considering a supplement. You might wonder why you can’t just take a supplement and get all the vitamins and minerals you need? And it’s a REALLY good question!  
 
It’s also a question that has as many questions as it does answers, at the moment we know that the absorption of nutrients from food is typically better than that from an over the counter supplement. However in many instances we don’t know exactly why this is. It’s commonly known that when we eat foods we eat many nutrients, we don’t eat anything in isolation and when we eat this variety we support the absorption of many nutrients.
 
It’s also important to note that unless you have a diagnosed nutrient deficiency, taking a supplement is unlikely to help you, more does not equal better. You’ll excrete any vitamins you can’t store (water soluble) or of more concern you’ll store excess vitamins (fat soluble), which in extreme cases can lead to toxicity. That’s why it’s important to discuss your supplement with a health professional.

 

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