Whole food: a natural food and especially an unprocessed one (as vegetable or fruit) (Webster Dictionary)
The best natural source of vitamins and minerals is good nutrition - a philosophy that has stood the test of time and is backed by years of research in the field of nutrition. We have relied on the forests and gardens for our medicine since the beginning of civilization.
A vitamin is made up of tremendously complex organic matter, which our body needs in small amounts yet it is vital for life and metabolic processes. While often considered a single substance, each vitamin is a group of active micronutrients. Separating single portions changes it from active micronutrients into a dead chemical of no value to living cells. On the contrary, whole natural foods and food supplements (if properly processed) are alive.
Does the body know the difference? Absolutely.
The true potency of vitamins is delivered to the cells through the combined effect of the vitamin complex, rather than a single chemical, and is a functioning mechanism.
Nonfood (synthetic) supplements have a limited effect compared to their natural complex counterparts found in whole foods.
With natural foods and foods concentrates the body can choose to assimilate its needs and excrete what it does not need. This is selective absorption. In contrast, fractioned and/or synthetic supplements allow no choice. The body must deal with the chemical in some manner and can suffer consequences of biochemical imbalances and toxic overdose.
“Diet has distinction of being the only major determinant of health that is completely under your control. You have the final say over what does and does not go into your stomach” wrote Andrew Well, M.D. in Natural Health, Natural Medicine.
© 2007 Michael Kheyfets All Right Reserved.
