tamarian
Fri, Jun-15-01, 20:03
Friday June 15, 2:47 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association
Healthy Diet Alone Will not Ensure Proper Nutrition, According to Journal of the American Chiropractic Association
ARLINGTON, Va., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone knows about the importance of eating a wide variety of nutritious foods, but it is difficult to sustain a healthy diet through today's foods alone because they are often robbed or devoid of essential elements, according to experts interviewed for an article in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association (JACA).
``Foods are no longer our best 'medicine,' says Brad Rachman, DC, DACPM, director of medical science at Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory. ''In modern Western society, it is necessary to use supplements to provide essential elements to help people cope with stress levels. Just eating a 'healthy diet' may not be enough.`` According to Dr. Rachman, many of today's foods are also contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides and antibiotics as a result of modern farming techniques.
While very few people in the United States have a complete nutritional deficiency, there are certain age groups that are more prone to problems, according to Alan Adams, DC, DACBN, professor of nutrition and vice president of professional affairs at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. ``For example, elderly people are most commonly deficient in calcium, vitamins D, B12 and folic acid,'' Dr. Adams says. ``Women of childbearing age are often deficient in iron. In general many studies show that people in the U.S. don't eat a good diet, and are not getting Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for many vitamins and minerals.''
The effects of vitamin deficiencies can range from simple fatigue and ``not feeling well'' to serious diseases, according to Juanee Surprise, DC, DACBN, president of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) Council on Nutrition. ``Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to anemia, carpal tunnel syndrome, PMS, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Folic acid deficiency can lead to cardiovascular diseases and neural tube defects. It is also beneficial for patients with increased risk of cervical cancer.''
``Iron deficiency may have an influence on cognitive abilities,'' Dr. Adams continues. ``Studies have shown that it affects learning ability and the ability to perform cognitive tasks in schoolchildren and in the elderly.''
Those whose diet selection is limited may want to consider supplementation as an answer, after consulting with their doctor. Examples include:
* supplemental vitamin B12 for strict vegans who eliminate all animal
products from the diet;
* folic acid for women of childbearing age;
* vitamin D for those with limited dairy intake and sunlight exposure;
* calcium for those with lactose intolerance or allergies to dairy
products;
* and a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement for those following severely
restricted weight-loss diets.
The experts interviewed in JACA caution, however, that supplementation is not easy, and no one should choose supplements based on a magazine article alone. The abundance of resources on nutrition and supplementation -- both in print and online -- seems to make it easy for consumers to get necessary vitamin and mineral information without the help of a specialist. ``The problem is that patients are not sure what to do,'' says Dr. Adams. ``They get mixed messages from media, and therefore need guidance from health care practitioners.''
The JACA article also includes information on the importance of standardized labeling, the importance of getting nutrients from conventional foods, and nutrient interaction and oxidation. Also included is a comprehensive chart on the health benefits, deficiency and toxicity of vitamin dietary supplement products.
For more information, or for a copy of the ``Nutritional Deficiencies'' article, call ACA at 800-986-4636, or visit ACA's Web site at http://www.acatoday.com .
SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010615/dcf031.html
Press Release
SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association
Healthy Diet Alone Will not Ensure Proper Nutrition, According to Journal of the American Chiropractic Association
ARLINGTON, Va., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone knows about the importance of eating a wide variety of nutritious foods, but it is difficult to sustain a healthy diet through today's foods alone because they are often robbed or devoid of essential elements, according to experts interviewed for an article in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association (JACA).
``Foods are no longer our best 'medicine,' says Brad Rachman, DC, DACPM, director of medical science at Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory. ''In modern Western society, it is necessary to use supplements to provide essential elements to help people cope with stress levels. Just eating a 'healthy diet' may not be enough.`` According to Dr. Rachman, many of today's foods are also contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides and antibiotics as a result of modern farming techniques.
While very few people in the United States have a complete nutritional deficiency, there are certain age groups that are more prone to problems, according to Alan Adams, DC, DACBN, professor of nutrition and vice president of professional affairs at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. ``For example, elderly people are most commonly deficient in calcium, vitamins D, B12 and folic acid,'' Dr. Adams says. ``Women of childbearing age are often deficient in iron. In general many studies show that people in the U.S. don't eat a good diet, and are not getting Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for many vitamins and minerals.''
The effects of vitamin deficiencies can range from simple fatigue and ``not feeling well'' to serious diseases, according to Juanee Surprise, DC, DACBN, president of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) Council on Nutrition. ``Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to anemia, carpal tunnel syndrome, PMS, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Folic acid deficiency can lead to cardiovascular diseases and neural tube defects. It is also beneficial for patients with increased risk of cervical cancer.''
``Iron deficiency may have an influence on cognitive abilities,'' Dr. Adams continues. ``Studies have shown that it affects learning ability and the ability to perform cognitive tasks in schoolchildren and in the elderly.''
Those whose diet selection is limited may want to consider supplementation as an answer, after consulting with their doctor. Examples include:
* supplemental vitamin B12 for strict vegans who eliminate all animal
products from the diet;
* folic acid for women of childbearing age;
* vitamin D for those with limited dairy intake and sunlight exposure;
* calcium for those with lactose intolerance or allergies to dairy
products;
* and a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement for those following severely
restricted weight-loss diets.
The experts interviewed in JACA caution, however, that supplementation is not easy, and no one should choose supplements based on a magazine article alone. The abundance of resources on nutrition and supplementation -- both in print and online -- seems to make it easy for consumers to get necessary vitamin and mineral information without the help of a specialist. ``The problem is that patients are not sure what to do,'' says Dr. Adams. ``They get mixed messages from media, and therefore need guidance from health care practitioners.''
The JACA article also includes information on the importance of standardized labeling, the importance of getting nutrients from conventional foods, and nutrient interaction and oxidation. Also included is a comprehensive chart on the health benefits, deficiency and toxicity of vitamin dietary supplement products.
For more information, or for a copy of the ``Nutritional Deficiencies'' article, call ACA at 800-986-4636, or visit ACA's Web site at http://www.acatoday.com .
SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010615/dcf031.html