The truth is that, despite being conscious about a balanced diet, often we fail to attain it. A diet having whole foods should be able to provide all the nutrients we need for a healthy life. However, unfortunately, there is a modern lifestyle and environmental issues which make it more difficult than it was with our ancestors.
For example, farming and fishing methods have changed. With modern intensive farming, the urban environment, and modern lifestyle, there are many reasons why it is useful to add a supplement to your diet.
Below are some reasons for taking nutritional supplements
Nutrient Absorption Declines With Age
As one grows old, the body is not able to absorb nutrients well since the body’s capability to absorb and break down nutrients change. The digestive enzymes which are produced in the body to help with digestion naturally decline as you get old. Older people take more medication than younger ones. These modern medications deplete essential minerals. Supplements can be used to help restore the imbalance.
Exercise Increases Nutrient Needs
An athlete or anyone who exercises frequently requires a lot of nutrients and energy to stay healthy. It is necessary to replenish the essential nutrients, increase your energy levels, and to encourage recovery after a tasking job or workout. Athlete’s diet normally contains a lot of protein and carbohydrates. Taking protein powder is an easy and quick way to obtain the required calories instead of taking a big bowl of chicken and pasta.
Lack of Nutrients Due to Soil Depletion
Whichever diet one follows, today’s food is not as nutritious as it once was. In the recent past, traditional farming has led to over famed land due to profit. Without a proper soil rotation, the soil will start losing nutrients, leading to the depletion of nutrients in our food. The nutrients affected by the depletion of soil include calcium, protein, and phosphorus among others. Such a large scale problem requires an intentional change among farmers.
Filling the Nutrient Gap
About 90 per cent of people do not get the right amounts of nutrients. Due to strict dieting, changing nutritional needs, and poor appetite, many fail to meet the diet recommendations. Supplements should be able to bridge the nutritional gap. This ensures that our body maintains a proper balance between supplementation and nutrients from food. It will result in an enhanced nutrient density in the diet to ensure that you get adequate amounts of nutrients required by the body.