by IrwinNaturals on March 19, 2012
Whole foods are simply the best source of nutrition. Yet, the modern lifestyle makes it extremely challenging to consume fresh foods that supply the essential nutrients that our bodies require on a daily basis. For the first time in history, a large and growing percentage of the world’s population has become overfed yet undernourished – which means that we are deficient in several essential nutrients, despite our bulging waistlines.
Most people are simply eating way too much of the wrong kinds of food. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines Scientific Advisory Committee reports that more than half of adults and children fail to consume adequate amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium and fiber on a daily basis! And they state that nutrient intake is low enough to be “of concern.”
Improving your nutritional status should not be burdensome; it simply requires eating foods that have a high nutritional value. This means choosing foods that are rich in nutrients and low in calories. Or alternatively, this means supplementing your current diet with a high-quality multi-vitamin, multi-mineral product.
Not surprisingly, a 2002 article in the highly respected medical journal, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), concluded that all adults should be taking a daily multi-vitamin supplement to compensate for a nutrient-poor diet.
But supplements are not for adults only. A good quality multi-vitamin can be a god-send for kids too. It can provide the ‘extra insurance’ that kids need to be sure that they are getting the essential nutrients they require on a daily basis. The fact is, most kids are picky eaters and tend to choose foods that are low in nutritional value, but high in taste. That’s where great-tasting nutritionally-balanced supplements can help to fill the void.
Are you and yours getting the nutrients you need?
For more information, we encourage you to check out Irwin Naturals products, including the Irwin Kids’ line, in the vitamin aisle of your local health food store (or see our list of health food retail partners).
by IrwinNaturals on March 6, 2012
The saying “What’s old is new again” certainly has relevance in the world of natural health. Recently, we have seen an accelerated interest in all things related to Ayurveda. This ancient Indian practice of holistic health that developed more than five thousand years ago is becoming noticed by Yoga enthusiasts, nutritional supplements companies, health and fitness establishments and even on the blog of ‘America’s Doctor.’
Yes, Dr. Mehmet Oz, whose TV show is watched by health enthusiasts across the US, is bringing new awareness to Ayurvedic concepts through his television program and website. On the last day of February, Dr. Oz highlighted The Secrets of Ayurvedic Medicine.
As Americans begin exploring complementary and alternative health practices to offset the high cost and poor outcomes of conventional medicine, many are looking to ancient traditions like Ayurveda. When Doctor Oz takes a closer look at Ayurveda and Ayurvedic nutritional supplements, he is helping to foster a new area of discussion that focuses on prevention and self-care… which is literally transforming the way we think about “health care.”
One of the contributors to Dr. Oz’s website and blog has been regularly writing about Ayurveda and its many benefits to men and women in all aspects of their lives. In this article on using Ayurveda for fabulous skin, Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary MD shares some of her favorite Ayurvedic skin beauty secrets. She writes about the core principles of Ayurveda:
“Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India and the oldest surviving healing system in the world (about 5,000 years old). “Ayu” means life and “veda” means knowledge, so Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is based on three fundamental principles:
- Food is medicine.
- Disease can be prevented and eradicated through your daily habits.
- Lifestyle recommendations are based on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional makeup, known as one’s dosha (body-type).”
If you’re new to Ayurveda, one of the main notions of this centuries-old science is the concept of “body-types”. According to Ayurveda, there are three distinct body-types that exist in human nature: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each person has a specific body-type (or ‘dosha’) that influences all aspects of life, including physical structure, emotional make-up and predisposition to certain health challenges. Identifying your particular body type and balancing it with an appropriate diet and herbal regimen is considered to be the key to optimal health and longevity.
You can supplement your body-type diet with botanical formulas designed especially for yoga practitioners and individuals interested in Ayurveda. Botanicals are an easy and inexpensive way to supplement your Ayurvedic diet.
You can try out this ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda on your own. Find Ayurvedic supplements at your local health foods store. If you are not sure which dosha you are, you can determine your Ayurvedic body type through a questionnaire to ensure you are choosing the right supplements for your unique body-type.
