Why Take Supplements? They May Actually Help
April 29th, 2010 | by admin |As a chiropractor, I am a big believer in dietary supplementation for all sorts of reasons. One of the reasons is that many of us are often too busy to make sure that we get all that our body needs from the foods that we eat. Another reason is that sometimes the soil from which our fruits and vegetables grow has been depleted of its natural, life-enriching nutrients. What I don’t believe about supplements is that there is any one supplement that is going to prevent any one particular disease. That’s why I take with a grain of salt (sea salt, of course) the various studies, either pro or con, that praise a supplement like, hm-mm, fish oil for example, as the “be all, end all” way to decrease the likelihood of developing dementia and then another study that vilifies it for failing to do so.
Now, it may be true that when the “pro” study came out (i.e., people who eat more fish have better mental function and are less likely to develop dementia), a lot of people started taking fish oil supplements with that sole hope in mind. But, whether or not fish oil (or rather the omega-3 fatty acids contained therein), in and of itself, guards against developing dementia, there are still lots of “potential” good reasons, very healthy reasons, for us to take it (or eat more fish that doesn’t contain too much mercury). So, whether or not avoiding Alzheimer’s turns out to be one of the benefits, fish oils may still help in the treatment of heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, AHDH, low immunity, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, arthritis, IBD, AIDS, eye disorders, macular degeneration and ulcers. It “may” help in weight loss, pregnancy, fertility and skin care (particular for disorders such as psoriasis, acne).
If fish oil is suddenly sounding like a “miracle” supplement all over again, it’s not. However, as far as your overall wellness is concerned, it is still an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, plenty of water, and regular exercise. And, just for good measure, I will add that because chiropractic adjustments positively affect the entire nervous system, including brain function, regular chiropractic care may go a long way in decreasing the likelihood that a “well-adjusted” will develop dementia.
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