Supplements or Food? What’s the Difference?

Constant chemical reactions run every system in the human body. They control digestion, blood pressure, nerve signals, metabolism, waste removal, muscle contraction, and a whole host of other things. These reactions are so commonplace we are not aware of them unless there is an issue.??

This constant chemical dance depends on sufficient nutrients for optimal functioning. Essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs, and fats are found in nutritious and varied food sources. The body absorbs and uses the nutrients found in healthy foods better than nutrients contained in compact supplements.?

Here is the catch. Instead of growing and cooking whole foods, many people today (especially those with hectic life schedules) consume heavily processed, low-nutrient foods. As a result, they eat more to acquire the essential nutrients for optimal functioning.??

Overeating low-nutrient food has led to the current obesity and type II diabetes epidemic. In addition, the American diet often restricts the consumption of fatty fish, dark green vegetables, legumes, and other nutrient-packed foods simply because of how they taste. And because we do not like them, they do not provide an emotional reward.?

The food industry is split into two categories: Whole foods and processed foods. At the grocery store, whole foods (fresh produce, meats, and dairy) are placed around the edges of the store, while processed foods are in the aisles.??

Fresh foods spoil if not consumed within a short amount of time. On the other hand, preservatives (chemicals) are added to processed foods to extend their shelf life.?

Food chemists engineer processed foods to appeal to our sense of reward. The reward value of food is connected to emotional eating or comfort food. If people frequently eat for the reward value or the convenience of the food instead of the nutrition, they end up with nutritional deficiencies.?

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