| The air we breathe, the water we drink, and even | | | | One recent study found that nearly one-third of the |
| the foods we eat, contain substances that may be | | | | calories in the typical American diet come from |
| damaging to our cells, according to Public Health | | | | nutrient-deficient junk food. In contrast, healthy |
| scientists who have found new evidence of the | | | | foods, such as vegetables and fruits, make up only |
| threats that our toxic environment pose on our | | | | about ten percent of the caloric intake. Furthermore, |
| cellular health. Apparently, any tissue that is exposed | | | | poor diet, coupled with physical inactivity, is now |
| to the environment, including the skin and | | | | recognized by the Center for Disease Control and |
| gastrointestinal passages, is especially vulnerable. | | | | Prevention as one of the leading causes of death in |
| While government agencies and industry are taking | | | | the U. S. today because without proper nutrition, the |
| steps to control additional releases into the | | | | cells of the body are less able to prevent and repair |
| environment, many toxic substances become | | | | cellular damage. |
| concentrated in fatty tissues through a process called | | | | "The human body is made of cells, and those cells |
| bioaccumulation. Animal fats in the diet present health | | | | work together to sustain your life," says Dr. Wentz. |
| problems in other ways. Dr. Myron Wentz, Ph.D., | | | | "Taking antioxidants with food may help reduce the |
| immunologist and microbiologist, hypothesizes that | | | | formation of oxidized lipids." Other medical |
| foods with high peroxide values, especially processed, | | | | professionals concur on the importance of taking |
| fatty foods, generate "free radicals" that in turn | | | | supplementation. |
| damage healthy cells. Researchers believe that | | | | * "One way to effectively maintain health is to |
| supplementary antioxidants are necessary for | | | | supplement our diets with a full range of vitamins, |
| combating these free radicals in addition to the | | | | minerals, and antioxidants," so explains Dr. Ladd |
| body's normal defense systems. | | | | McNamara, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Atlanta, |
| In addition to the health threats posed by toxic | | | | Georgia. |
| substances today, many nutritional scientists point | | | | * Dr. Ray Strand, M.D., a family practitioner in South |
| out that much of our food has been over processed | | | | Dakota, states, "The concerns for my patients' health |
| and preservatives have been added for packaging, | | | | has led me to recommend a complete nutritional |
| affecting its vitamin and mineral content. In fact | | | | system to my patients." |
| many of us are undernourished because our diet | | | | Remember: When you are maximizing your body's |
| lacks many of the important vitamins and minerals | | | | health potential, we everyone wins. When you don't, |
| necessary for health. | | | | we all lose. |