Nutrition and health are popular topics these days. After I reached middle age, I realized that my health is nothing to take for granted. I started looking into how better nutrition would benefit me.Since beginning my research into health and nutrition, I have started supplementing my diet with whole food nutritional product. It is easy to swallow and digested by the body. I have noticed an increase in energy, I'm sleeping better, and have greater mental clarity.

One of the major lessons I learned, is that our soil is becoming depleted, and our whole foods do not necessarily meet our daily nutritional requirements. Whole foods are edible substances that are as close to their natural state as possible, are unaltered in any way, and contain no additives of any kind. They are unprocessed and unrefined in order to maintain their natural flavor and nutrition.Even if you want to eat organic whole foods consistently, there are still some disadvantages and they include; they have a short shelf life, finding them can be difficult, they can be very pricey, and you have to eat large quantities of food to meet your body's nutritional needs. Therefore, it’s not a complete solution. This is a major reason why dietary supplements have become popular.

In my personal opinion, supplementation is of vital importance and there are several key points to consider:

1 The increase of childhood obesity has brought attention to how many processed foods our children are consuming. The three healthy meals a day seems to be from a bygone era replaced with fast foods or a frozen meal.

2 Baby boomers are becoming more interested in improving their health. They are noticing the effects that aging has on the body and want to maintain their health as they grow older and live longer.

I was amazed at some of the things I found while learning more about nutrition and dietary supplements. For example:

Aloe Vera: Common uses for this plant include a first aid gel for minor cuts and bruises. It is also widely used in cosmetics and skin care. Currently, research shows that aloe vera contains many nutrients that may be useful for assisting digestion. It may also help build our immune systems.

Calcium: I learned that calcium along with magnesium and vitamin D are essential for strong bones and the combination is critical for proper absorption. Calcium is also necessary for healthy gums, supports the heart, and balances the body's PH level. Recent research has indicated that calcium may also aid in weight loss.

Activated Charcoal: Charcoal has an amazing ability to absorb many times its own weight in heavy metals and gases. This substance is widely used in hospitals as the universal antidote for treating ingested poisons and overdoses. It works by absorbing toxic substances in the gastrointestinal tract. This substance is also known as activated carbon.

Melatonin: The body produces melatonin naturally. Since many of us suffer from restless nights, it may be beneficial to supplement the body's own production, with melatonin to restore a sleeping pattern.

Phytonutrients: Once it was thought that fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals were all the nutrients necessary for growth and health. Now research indicates that phytonutrients, found in fruits and vegetables are also necessary for good health. These are also available as supplements.

Supplements have become an important part of my nutrition. There are many different brands and types of supplements available. I recommend anyone interested in health and nutrition do their own research, talk to their health care professional and find what works for you and your families.