Biology - 23 July - Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Microscopic Vitamin C

• "People should still eat healthy food" - do we rely too heavily on supplements?

     Supplements are problematic for a number of reasons. First, supplements tend to be less bioavailable that simple food. Some supplements are derived from food sources, which make them easier to absorb, but the many supplements are synthetic and thus, useless. Second, supplements don't address the digestive issues that are often the basis for undernourishment, especially for people who have access to high quality food. All the vitamins, minerals, and proteins should be apart of a well rounded diet. However, if someone's gut is unable to handle the amount of food, type of foods that are input; or is just not working at all--they won't benefit from supplements. Third, for people who don't have access to healthy foods--supplements are not affordable enough to compensate for the lack of nutrition in their diets. Fourth, the choices we make around food and diet is deeply related to ecology and the earth. For food to be properly nutritious, it must be grown in healthy soil that is rich in minerals and fungal life. If Americans opt for supplements over well grown food, we are doing a huge disservice to agriculture and to the Earth.