Nutritional Support

Antioxidants can neutralize the cell-damaging effects of free radicals. Furthermore, people who eat fruits and vegetables (good sources of antioxidants), have a lower risk of heart disease and some neurological diseases, antioxidants might also help to protect the body against other diseases such as suppressed immunity due to poor nutrition. Some experts have suggested that in order for antioxidants to be effective and beneficial, a person must consume them on a regular basis over a period of time. In order to protect a body against oxidative stress, several antioxidant defence mechanisms depend on minerals for proper functioning. The major enzymatic antioxidant defence systems in the body are superoxide dismutase, which requires copper, zinc and magnesium; glutathione peroxidise is another enzymatic antioxidant defence system requiring selenium, with catalase which requires iron.

Although a balanced diet should cater for the average vitamin and mineral requirements, some people need to supplement their diets. People who are active and exercise; those who are under great stress, on restricted diets, or mentally or physically ill; women who take oral contraceptives; those on medication; those who are recovering from surgery and injury; smokers and those who consume alcoholic beverages all need higher than normal amounts of micronutrients. A diet that lacks essential nutrients over a long period of time leads to a greater risk of degenerative disease.

The loss of nutrients during the course of the illness can be restored by the use of supplements during the period of recovery and convalescence – an intense or long bout of illness can quickly deplete all essential nutrients in the body of the patient. Nutritional supplements can rapidly speed up the rate of recovery, though they cannot be used as a replacement for the inclusion of wholesome foods, or in lieu of adequate rest.

Micronutrients contribute to good health by regulating the metabolism and assisting the biochemical processes that release energy from digested food. There is a cooperative action between certain vitamins and minerals, which work as catalysts, promoting the absorption and assimilation of other vitamins and minerals. Correcting a deficiency in one vitamin or mineral requires the addition of others, not simply replacement of one in which you are deficient.