Talk about health

A recent article in my local paper the other day posed the same question to seven different 'experts' on health. The question was, "How do you feel about supplements and which one would you take if you could only have one?"

Predictably the GP reckoned he didn't need any since his mythical 'balanced diet' has all the nutrients you need, while the holistic GP mentioned a list of vitamins and essential fatty acids. However, what struck me was that these seven experts chose completely different supplements as their one essential.

The common thread was this diet business. Eat well, a balanced diet, antioxidants and so on appeared time and time again. If you've been a regular reader of this blog, you'll be aware of my views on this - a balanced diet is an ideal that very few of us manage to achieve no matter how much we try.

I think I eat pretty well. Regular meals using fresh fruit and vegetables, limited alcohol, decent sleep, exercise routine, etc. But in all of this I am sure I don't ever have the ideal balanced diet where all the nutrients I need are in there. Often, meals are rushed, too many sweet things creep in - the cake with coffee, the chocolate snack, the processed cereal or ready-meal.

I just don't think it is easy in this society to eat perfectly. As one of the experts mentioned, "I take a multimineral supplement just to fill in the gaps".

If you get anything from this it is that quote. I take a mulivitamin and mineral supplement to fill in the gaps. The practicalities of life mean that the way we live leaves gaps and minor deficiencies in the nutritional picture however hard you try.

For me, the simplest answer is to take a reasonable quality multivit and mineral supplement to give you a reasonable chance of having all the nutrients you need on a regular basis. You've still got to eat as well as you can. Including some omega-3 fatty acids is another useful supplement especially if you don't like fish or only eat fish occasionally.

Taking supplements such as antioxidants may be useful now and again as a booster or taking zinc for a cold is a good idea, but otherwise only add other supplements if you have a specific need for them.

It is all too easy to spend a fortune on assorted supplements 'just in case'. Rather, think of what you really need and start from there. These seven experts couldn't agree on one thing, but the multivit is the one that sruck me as the most logical and necessary of them all.

If you re interested in this subject, there's more information at my site http://www.healthexplored.co.uk . Subscribe to the FREE newsletter and get a gift of my Tips booklet on food and supplements.

Wishing you the very best of health.