May 29, 2023
It’s amazing to learn that about half of the US population takes one or more supplements on a regular basis amounting to more than $35 billion each year*. Many of these are self-discovered and self-prescribed, we often don’t even mention it to our doctor, but even if we did, they may not know about them because there are so many on the market, it’s really not easy to keep on top of the knowledge.
It’s important to remember that most supplements are not rigorously tested as a prevention or treatment for the conditions for which they are promoted. And that the supplement industry is not regulated in the same way that prescription drugs are, so the ingredients on the label may not be totally accurate. It feels like a bit of a market.
If this is the case, then it’s comforting to look to certainties. Particularly if they exist naturally. We can up the intake of various vitamins and minerals naturally through our diet by focusing on certain key ingredients. We’re quite good at this when it comes to vitamin C for example, as we all know oranges, kiwi, strawberries are packed full and give us a natural boost. But we would probably do well to extend this knowledge and these long trusted natural remedies through our lives.
A great way to do this is by eating food that is in season – because of course it will have naturally higher values of the most beneficial components during that window. For example, lycopene that exists in high quantities in ripe tomatoes (the values are highest during the summer) gives us a natural sun repellent to protect our skin from UV damage.
So perhaps if we invested less on supplements and poured our attention and awareness in to the highest quality in-season ingredients, we would all become significantly healthier.
* information from Harvard Medical School
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is great for you all year round of course and should be included in your diet for its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is particularly good for you when just pressed as the polyphenol levels are at their highest. This coincides with winter, when your body most needs the protection.