Food Vitamins

It's all about timing when it comes to getting all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your body needs: Food comes first, and then maybe come nutritional supplements.

The Focus is on Foods

Food is a must to fuel and nourish the human body for optimal health. Food provides the body with all the essential nutrients to help you attain and maintain a healthy bodyweight, exercise effectively, reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and certain cancers and help in the management of diabetes and hypertension.

Key nutrition principles that stand the test of time:

1-Protect your body with antioxidants found in foods. Antioxidants play an important role in maintaining health and possibly preventing disease. Aim to include antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruit and whole grains in your meal plans each day. These antioxidants are easy to find in many foods you eat. Look for vitamin C, E, selenium and other compounds with antioxidant potential such as B-carotene, other carotenoids like lycopene and lutein and flavenoids as well.

2-Look out for the B's: These vitamins perform a variety of essential metabolic functions in your body. The B-vitamins are found in a variety of different foods from each food group. Grain products provide thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate. Milk products provide riboflavin. Vegetables, fruit and legumes provide folate. The meat and alternatives group provide thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin.

3-Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and fluoride function together in developing strong, healthy bones and teeth. It is important to include a variety of foods daily that provide these bone-building nutrients.

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