Week 8:
The last component
of our 8 week series on developing a healthy and fit lifestyle is
having a good basic understanding of the 3 most common supplements;
Vitamins, Minerals, Dietary Aids, and Herbal Products. The MOST
IMPORTANT point to know is that these products ARE NOT SUBJECT TO
REGULATION BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) which means
they are not required to prove that they work or that they are
safe. Do not believe that any pill or drink is going to be the cure
all or miracle supplement to make you thin, beautiful and/or
healthy. Good food, exercise, and regular medical check-ups with a
good physician will do that. A good multi vitamin from a reputable
source can be a nice addition, but anything beyond that should be
approved by your physician. Good food is bursting with nutrition,
vitamins, and minerals-no pill can compare to what nature makes nor
cover all the basis just like no one food can. and NEVER TAKE A
SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT CHECKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU ARE ON ANY TYPE
OF MEDICATION because it can adversely affect the drug's benefit.
Vitamins and
Minerals: Can be a nice compliment to a good diet, make sure
made and sold by a reputable company, always take with food, and
check with your Physician regarding recommended types and amounts.
Huge doses of any vitamin or mineral are usually not good, be
careful and smart.
Herbal and
Dietary Supplements: I STRONGLY recommend you take none of
these without first checking with your Doctor. Remember, herbs are
unregulated drugs and they can seriously harm your good health if
not careful. There are so many claims that they can cure everything
from depression to cancer. If they could do that don't you think
the medical community would be using them. Again, be smart. These
are often high profit items so don't let sales people interested in
making lots of money from these things fool you. Never take any
herbal supplement if on medication without first checking with your
Physician as these can have serious negative affects sometimes when
combined with other drugs. The same hold true for the dietary
supplements that claim to boost your metabolism, suppress your
appetite, and give you lean cut abs. If anything could do this
again, don't you think the medical community would jump on it. Just
because you can buy it without a prescription does not mean it is
good and/or will not harm you. Buyer beware. You can visit the
website
www.consumerlab.com for additional information on product
reviews. Remember, no one pill, fad, or drink is going to give you
good health-you give that to yourself.
Let's keep walking
our 30 to 45 minutes 3 to 4 times per week, and get your 64 ounces
of water in daily.
