(Information obtained from Dr. Bruce B. Miller – A Better Health Series, Do I need food supplements?) 

 Americans are eating their way to early graves, bite by bite and meal by meal.  “What we eat may affect our risk for several of the leading causes of death for Americans, notably, coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes, some forms of cancer.  These disorders together now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the United States.”  So says Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.  What do Americans eat?  Why do we eat this way?  What is the nutritional value of our commonly consumed foods, be they fast, frozen, or processed?  Can nutrition affect the disease process?  What are the benefits of optimal nutrition?  How do you choose a food supplement?  Dr. Miller provides answers for all of these questions.

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?

Heart attack is the number of cause of death in the U.S. killing approximately 560,000 people a year.

The cancer death rate over the last 20 years has increased by 17%.  One out of every five deaths is due to cancer.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the second greatest cause of disability in the U.S.  The incidence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema doubles every five years.

One-half of all American adults suffer from some type of digestive disorder.  Forty percent of those over 40 and 70% of those over 75 have diverticular disease.

Thirty percent of the population will develop depression during their life-time; at any given moment.  Fifteen percent of the population is depressed, making it the nation’s number one mental health problem.

There are an estimated 12 million diabetics in America.  This number is increasing yearly.

Over 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, and at least 50 percent of those with the disease are not aware they have it.

The death rate for U.S. infants is 11 per 1000 – higher than that of 22 other countries.

Since 1955, the United States has slipped from number 6 in life expectancy to number 18 in life expectancy among industrialized nations.

Twenty million Americans have osteoporosis.  It seems to be our newest diet-related epidemic.  Every year, 1.3 million fractures from osteoporosis occur costing the nation $4 million.  Forty thousand deaths per year are attributed to osteoporosis. 

COULD IT BE RELATED TO DIET?
All of the diseases we just listed above have at least one thing in common to some degree or another; they are related to diet.  What you eat or do not eat plays a large role in whether or not you get one or more of these problems.  It has been well-said that many Americans dig their graves with their forks.

ARE SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOU?

Consider these questions carefully.  If you answer yes to any one of these questions, safe use of supplements may give your health a boost your body will appreciate:

Do you smoke anything?  Do you diet frequently?  Are you pregnant or nursing your baby?  Do you have high blood pressure?  Are you petite, thin, or past menopause?  Do you avoid milk, cheese and yogurt?  Do you frequently eat fatty read meat or other high-fat foods?  Does your doctor say you have benign breast lumps?  Do you fight a cold several times a year?  Are you exposed to hazardous chemicals?  Do you eat a lot of cured or picked foods (bacon, hot dogs, salami or smoked fish)?  Do you suffer from PMS? Do you spend little time outdoors?  Are you breathing polluted air?  Do you drink city water?  Do you suffer from mental stress or anxieties?  Do you often consume alcoholic beverages?  Are you one of our 25 million elderly?  Are you one of the 10 million women taking oral contraceptives?  Do you miss some of the servings from the 4 basic food groups from time to time?  Are you taking medications?  Have you been hospitalized lately?  Are you one of our 17 million adolescents?  Are you depressed?  Do you have a chronic disease?  Do you eat for taste and convenience rather than nutrition?  Would you like to feel better?

A FOOD SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM

The very minimum with which to begin a supplement program would be a protein and multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement.  An even better and more efficient beginning would include five basic supplements such as protein,multi-vitamin, vitamin C, alfalfa, fiber or an herbal cleanser>.

WHEN SHOULD I NOTICE RESULTS

Most people can tell a difference in 30 days or less.  With proper nutrition you sleep better, your digestion is better, you have more energy, your concentration is better, you awake alert and more refreshed, sleep comes more easily at night, elimination is easier, and life if just more fun.  Some of the effects of optimal nutrition are very noticeable, such as more energy, and some more subtle, like falling asleep more quickly.  Start with the five supplements suggested above and see if you experience a noticeable improvement in 30 days.  You might be pleasantly surprised!  Additional supplements should be added according to individual needs.   

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