KEL Health Center : SUPPLEMENTS

Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, Antioxidants

Everyone has heard of vitamins and their myriad health supporting benefits. Vitamin A supports eye health, vitamin C supports cardiovascular health, vitamin D is crucial for calcium and phosphorous absorption.

Almost nobody is meeting recommended vitamin, mineral, enzymes, antioxidants intakes from food alone. The issue is particularlyproblematic in females, who lose precious minerals during menstruation and often avoid rich sources such as animal protein, nuts, and legumes in their normal diet. Along with a healthy balanced diet, it is becoming abundantly clear that it is important to supplement with a source of bioavailable minerals. Minerals consist of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Your body needs just small amounts of trace minerals. These include iron, copper, iodine, zinc, fluoride, and selenium.

Enzymes are large portions that speed up the rate of a chemical reaction. As specialized proteins that act as catalysts for cellular function, enzymes play a critical role in growth, healing, reproduction, breathing, thinking, immune function, hormone regulation, detoxification, and thousands of other biochemical functions. Enzymes also assist in the digestive process and in converting food into energy in cells—making exogenous enzymes (which must be consumed as the body is unable to produce them) one of the most important components of our diets. Fresh, raw foods naturally contain sufficient enzymes for proper digestion in the body. However, when food is cooked and processed, these naturally occurring food enzymes can be destroyed.

Antioxidants are a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products. A substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Examples of antioxidants include. Beta-carotene & Polyphenols. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Many experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions. It strongly supports a role for polyphenols in the prevention of degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The antioxidant properties of polyphenols have been widely studied, but it has become clear that the mechanisms of action of polyphenols go beyond the modulation of oxidative stress.

A balanced diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods should be adequate to meet our food enzyme needs, but that is not always practical. Using a whole-food supplement of food Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes & Antioxidants are a convenient way to guarantee that we have the necessary amounts for proper digestion and utilization of the nutrients we consume and basic body function.