Do You Need A Vitamin Supplement?

If we were still living in the time of the “garden of Eden,” where the water and air was clean and pure, the food was organic, there were NO pesticides, genetically modified or refined foods, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, or soft drinks. When our lives were not filled with stress from our go-go lifestyle as they are today. Would we need to take a multivitamin? Or, for that matter, any additional supplements to stay healthy?

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I believe the best way for me to address this question is to simply present the facts. For example, I enjoy the way that Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel present the facts and let you make your own decision as to whether you think you need to take a supplement. There are certain people out there who believe we get all the nutrients we need in our daily diet to stay healthy. I beg to differ -- and here’s why.

Fact # 1 The majority of Americans don’t get the recommended daily allowance of calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, E, or D. This first fact alone should settle the case for a multivitamin, because the majority of people aren’t even getting the minimum. Keep in mind, our body doesn’t have an endless supple of antibodies, hormones, enzymes or neurotransmitters (brain messengers). Our bodies constantly manufacture these elements, and to do that you need the appropriate raw materials. These elements are vitamins, minerals, essential fats, various enzymes, etc. So, when we don’t even consume the basics, how can we expect to maintain good health, or for that matter overcome any health problem?

Fact # 2 The minimum daily requirement is the minimal amount we need to ensure we don’t fall victim to pellagra, beriberi, scurvy, rickets, etc. These amounts are designed to eliminate nutritional deficiency diseases. They are NOT based on overcoming today’s common problems, which I see all the time in my office. Such problems include, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, hot flashes, PMS, allergies, etc. To help overcome these common degenerative problems, we need more than the minimum – we need an optimal amount. So please don’t get hung-up on the “Percent Daily Value” listed on your supplement label. .

Fact # 3 Our soils are depleted and deficient. A government study over 70 years ago warned us that our soils were depleted of all the necessary nutrients (vitamins and minerals), which means if the nutrients aren’t in the soil – how do you expect them to be in your fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds? It’s not by magic that these nutrients are found in our foods. This is one of the greatest reasons I recommend organic foods. People are becoming more educated about their health and wanting to take care of themselves, which is why grocery stores are adding organic food sections to their shelves. Conventional growers use fertilizers that speed the growing process, but these fertilizers lack many of the nutrients that should be in the soil. Add the fact that the ‘modern’ farming practices drain all the nutrients out of the soil, as opposed to rotating crops and letting the soil replenish, as is taught in scriptures.

Fact # 4 Our foods are loaded with pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones. These poisons and toxins are sprayed on our food and ultimately get into our body. They tax or interfere with the function of our liver, kidneys, brain, reproductive and hormonal systems. Compound the problem by adding the extra antibiotics and hormones that are fed to our livestock, and you get a chemical overload. All of these toxins, chemicals, antibiotics and hormones have only been around for the last 50-75 years or so. They weren’t there for the majority of our existence. Let’s not forget the genetically modified foods that are being introduced to our food supply. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to eat any food that has been genetically modified. I don’t care what some scientist tells me…it’s NOT natural, nor is it the same as the way the good Lord designed it!

Fact # 5 Environmental toxins are at an all time high. People are kidding themselves if they don’t think all the pollutants in the air and water don’t affect our health. Add the off-gassing of various chemicals that come from our carpets, paints, flooring, and glues found in our homes and offices. Compound that with all the electromagnetic waves coming from our computers, cell phones, microwaves, and televisions, and you overwhelm your body’s ability to effectively function the way it is designed to. Just like commonly known pollutants like pesticides and smoking, these other chemicals find their way into our body and disrupt normal function.