Why
Take Vitamins?
Have you heard this statement before, “If I’m
following a nutritious diet, than why should I still have
to take my vitamins?” Today’s article will not
attempt to answer the obvious that vitamins and minerals are
good for you, but rather clarify why we’re unable to
get the proper amount of micronutrients in our diet. We’ve
found a great story that brings new insight and explains why
it is so difficult to replenish our bodies with these vital
micronutrients…with an American diet.
 During
a graduate nutrition course at the University of Minnesota,
a professor posed a challenge to the class: Construct a 2000
calorie-per-day diet that at least met the Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals without the use
of supplements. Most of the graduate students thought that
this was going to be a simple assignment. After all, we had
been told over and over again that people can get all of the
nutrients their body needs simply by eating a well-balanced
diet. Well, the professor was putting that statement to the
test.
To everyone’s surprise, no one was able to come up
with a sustainable daily diet that met the minimum RDA requirements.
The graduate students discovered that it is impossible to
get everything that you need from the food we eat. But how
could this be? Certainly people have lived on this planet
for a long time and must have been able to get everything
they needed from their diet. The answer has to do with modern
farming techniques, fertilizers and environmental stresses.
Following the Second World War, chemical manufacturers were
sitting on huge stockpiles of phosphates and nitrates that
were initially intended for use in explosives. They discovered
that when they spread these same phosphates and nitrates on
the soil where plants were growing, the plants grew bigger
and looked healthier. Thus began the boom of the fertilizer
industry.
The problem with modern fertilizers is that they don’t
replace soil trace minerals, such as chromium, zinc and copper,
as do cow manure and other natural fertilizers. Over time,
these trace minerals become more and more depleted from the
soil and, consequently, our food supply becomes more depleted
as well. The bottom line is that in order to get enough trace
minerals in our diet to at least meet the minimum RDAs, it
is necessary to take a good quality supplement.
How to Select a Good Multivitamin
All vitamin supplements are not created equal. Supplements
are just like anything else— there are some good ones
out there and a whole lot of supplements that are not as good.
We highly recommend the Curves multi-mineral & multi-vitamin
supplements that have been conveniently manufactured into
two different forms, for your convenience. Depending on your
preference, you can try the all-in-one liquid form and/or
pill form supplement. In fact, we’re advocating the
Curves products because Gary Heavin and the Curves Corporation
have done a great job on producing a high quality supplement.
The benefits of these products include:
| |
• |
All natural vitamins with no synthetics |
| • |
The proper ratio of nutrients (synergy) |
| • |
An acidic base to enhance absorption |
| • |
Plant sourced trace minerals which are recognizable
by the body |
| • |
Major minerals chelated for best absorption |
| • |
Essential fatty acids |
| • |
Specific nutrients for women’s needs |
The Bottom Line
Taking supplements as part of your overall daily health
regimen is a simple and inexpensive way to ensure that your
body has everything it needs to be healthy. When combined
with regular exercise at Curves, taking a high quality multivitamin
will help to slow the aging process, decrease your risk of
a number of degenerative diseases, and maximize your weight
loss potential. Be sure to talk to your Curves staff to determine
which multivitamin formula best fits your individual needs.
Recipe of the Month
Capsicum and Potato Stew with Saffron
 2
tablespoons butter
2 red onions, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large pinch saffron threads
14 oz tin chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon sugar
700 g waxy potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red capsicum (pepper), cut into thick strips
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
½ cup coriander (cilantro) leaves
1 bunch chives, finely chopped
Heat the butter, onions, garlic, and saffron together in
a large saucepan over medium heat. When the onion is soft
and transparent, add the tomatoes, sugar and 2 cups of water.
Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the potatoes to the tomato along with the capsicum and
thyme, then cover and simmer for a further 35 minutes. Season
to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and
serve sprinkled with coriander and chives. Serves 4 as a side
dish.
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