Advice for Health - Nutrition
Healthy Nutrition
Proper nutritional health lowers people’s risk for many chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Choosing foods that will give you the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy can make you feel, look and perform better. There are simple steps we all can take to eat healthier at home, work, and elsewhere:
- Most people feel and work best when they eat three meals snacks each day, maintaining portion control.
- Maintain a balanced diet with a variety of foods from each of the four food groups.
- Choose foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt.
- Drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid each day from water, juice and milk.
Good nutrition should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle that also includes regular physical activity, stress management, not smoking, avoid alcohol or drink in moderation. Be sure to consult with your pharmacist before taking any dietary supplements to avoid possible side effects or interactions with medication you may be taking.
About vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential to the proper performance of our bodies. The best way to get all the necessary nutrients your body needs is by eating balanced meals that include fresh and healthy unprocessed foods.
It’s hard to determine the required amounts of vitamins and minerals one needs since it can vary depending on your age, weight, height, gender, and muscle activity. On top of that you will need more during periods of growth, illness, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Vitamins and minerals perform many functions.
- Calcium – Strengthens teeth and bones.
- Vitamin D – Promotes calcium absorption
- Folic acid – Helps promote the production of red blood cells and the normal development of the neural tube in the foetus.
- Vitamin B6 – Protects against heart disease.
- Vitamin B12 – Reduces the risk of anaemia, heart disease and strokes.
- Vitamins C and E – These are antioxidants.
If you have questions about vitamins, minerals or supplements please ask your PharmaChoice pharmacist. We’re here to help!
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