13 Reasons Why You Must Take Supplements

1. Most people today are born with nutritionally deficiency because the parents are nutritionally deficient too. Our body are depleted and toxic. To correct this inherited nutritional deficiencies and to detoxify the body, we require extra nutrients.

2. Today's soil is depleted. Soils are low in zinc, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, calcium magnesium and selenium. This means that we may not obtain all the nutrients we need from foods.

3. Modern fertilizers do not supply enough trace elements. One hundred years ago, manures were used extensively for fertilizer. Today, superphosphate fertilizers have largely replaced manures. These contain mainly nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus and are deficient in the trace elements contained in manures. Superphosphates often act more as growth stimulants. This has contributed greatly to depletion of the soil and crop minerals. This includes organically grown food in certain areas, although it is much better.

4. Pesticides and herbicides kill soil microorganisms and affect the nutrition of the plant. Soil microorganisms are needed to make minerals and other nutrients available to plants. The result is lower nutrient content. Also, our bodies require extra nutrients to process pesticide residues that remain inside the foods.

5. Many pesticides are deadly chemicals that severely tax the human system. Some contain lead, arsenic and other toxic metals that slowly accumulate in the body unless and until one follows a health program designed to remove them.

6. Long-distance transportation of many foods diminishes their nutrition. Most vegetables and fruits of Singapore are imported. Many foods are grown thousands of miles away They may spend days on trucks or ships to reach us, and then store in warehouse / coldroom for months.
   

7. Fruits and vegetables are harvested before they're fully ripened, this affects their nutritional value.

8. Processed Foods. Food processing often drastically reduces nutrient content. Refining of wheat to make white flour removes 80% of its magnesium, 70-80% of its zinc, 87% of its chromium, 88% of its manganese and 50% of its cobalt. Refining sugar cane to make white sugar removes 99% of its magnesium and 93% of its chromium. Polishing rice removes 75% of its zinc and chromium.

9. Food additives often deplete nutrients. Thousands of artificial flavors, colors, dough conditioners, stabilizers and preservatives are added to our foods. While some are harmless and may increase the value of food, many are toxic and can deplete the body of nutrients.

10. As a result of eating refined, low-quality food loaded with additives, most people's digestion is impaired. This further impairs nutrient absorption and increases nutritional needs. This is why I recommend a digestive aid for everyone who is suffering from any health condition.

11. Pollution and Stress deplete many nutrients including calcium, magnesium and zinc. Stress also causes excessive sympathetic nervous system activity, which reduces digestive ability. This is another important reason why supplementation in high doses is sometimes needed.

12. Everyone's Biochemical Composition Is Different. Each person's oxidation rate, stage of stress, trace element levels, toxic metal levels, digestive adequacy, state of the immune system and other factors are different, therefore, it's difficult to replenish nutrients only through food. Moreover, one's nutritional requirements are affected by age, sex, weight and health conditions including pregnancy and acute or chronic illnesses. In order to prevent illnesses or rebuilding after sickness, we need to provide the body with the amount of nutrients needed. This is so called Orthomolecular Nutrition coined by Nobel Laureate, the late Dr. Linus Pauling. And, this might not be able to accomplish just by diet.

13. We use foods and nutrients not just to correct symptoms, but to balance body chemistry. For example, we need to take into consideration of the person's physical and mental conditions, post- or pre-operation requirements and other factors. And, therapeutic dosages of nutrients and foods are not the same as standard food menu or set lunch. We have to attend to the individual needs differently.

*When the health is rebuilt, the extra amount of nutrients and supplements is no longer needed, but it will take a number of years to achieve this. A fundamental change of diet and lifestyle is also needed to accomplish this and to be out of the vicious cycle.