While there is some criticism of the popularity of nutritional supplements, available evidence does indicate they are beneficial. Theoretically we should be able to get sufficient from our diets, but modern foods are very low in many nutrients. The result is that chronic ill-health has become pandemic, while supplementing your diet can play a big role in combating this trend.

The fact is simply that the soils on which crops are grown are depleted of certain trace elements. Modern farming methods, including the use of artificial fertilizers, are making the situation worse. Sewerage systems and transport mean that essential trace elements are not being returned to the soil, and may simply be flowing out to sea in many cases.

A vitamin which is essential for a number of processes in the body, vitamin D is currently in the spotlight. It can be manufactured by our bodies from sunlight, providing the sun is high enough so the UVB rays enter the atmosphere. Natural supplements provide the correct vitamin D3 form which is beneficial.

When taking supplements, make sure they are bioavailable, otherwise they will not provide any benefits. Even Vitamin C needs to be in this form to be of any use. While synthetic nutrients may be chemically the same or very similar, your body may not recognize them if they are not in the form which it expects, and they may then actually cause a problem.

When taking supplements, be careful not to overdose. While the usual official RDA is actually sub-optimal in most cases, dosages which are too large can have serious side-effects. For example, overdosing with vitamin D can cause extremely painful sunburn symptoms, and even result in death. Doses will be clearly indicated and should not be exceeded.

Supplements with anti-aging properties are becoming increasingly popular. Of especial importance are antioxidants, with resveratrol and Astaxanthin revealing great potential to keep you looking younger. Resveratrol is found mainly in dark chocolate and other cocoa products, with Astaxanthin occurring in large quantities in shellfish and pink salmon.

The point is that there are foods that provide all these natural substances, but concentrations are usually low. Bigger doses than are available naturally can have marked therapeutic effects, as long as certain limits are not exceeded. By eating organic food and taking nutritional supplements containing the right nutrients, you can achieve amazing vitality.