Bibiana Bendikova
In Good Health
Q: Where can I find scientifically proven information about vitamin/mineral supplements?
A: There are a number of official websites that can be used for general information about dietary supplements. Just to mention a few...
...ods.od.nih.gow - website of the National Institute of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements and medlneplus.gov. You can find information about Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, and Herbs (also called Botanicals). There is also a website called consumerlab.com, which is an independent testing company that continually evaluates nutritional supplements in a laboratory environment.
Q: What should I do if I suspect I may be having a side-effect from a dietary supplement?
A: First, discontinue the supplement and check with your health care provider. Some manufacturers use great amounst of additives, yeast, wheat, corn, laurel sulfates and some people may experience adverse reactions to these additives. When selecting a dietary supplement, always follow a recommendation from a trained professional who can help you to select the correct supplementation plan.
Q: How do I help a roommate with an eating disorder? Or is that not my place?
A: Eating disorders affect people of any age or sex and are becoming more and more common in our society. There are many types of eating disorders, most common is overeating, bulimia, and under eating – anorexia. They may lead to many health problems, even premature death if not resolved. Eating disorders have a deep psychological foundation and the person affected by the eating disorder has often no ability to conquer the disease on his or her own without psychological help, intensive physician care, nutrition counseling, and on-going support from their loved ones. Many people with an eating disorder are unaware, in a denial, or do not know where to get help. One can help a person with eating disorders by helping him/her recreate their desire to live a healthy life. With positive support, motivation, affection, and love he/ she will develop positive self acceptance and the essential connection of being and feeling part of community. Surrounding the affected person with love, support, and understand, often lead to the affected person seeking the help of a professional. The path to recovery is long and not easy and it helps to take one day at time Recovery takes dedication and commitment of all people involved in the life of a person with eating disorder.
Q: How can I tell when I am full and to stop eating? I'm not overweight, but I tend to just eat a lot and feel guilty after. It's like I am never full.
A: To answer this question, I need to explain a little about how our body thinks. The body runs on food. Food provides essential nutrients that your body breaks down into micro nutrients and uses for billions of different biological exchanges that happen constantly inside. The most important nutrients that food provides are proteins, fiber, sugar, and fats. When all these in correct ratio are provided, the body is generally happy for some amount – 2-3 hours – of time. People often mistake food and fillers. Fillers are food like substances, which unfortunately do not contain these essential nutrients. The body keeps wanting / craves the nutrients needed for its function and will not stop until the needs are satisfied.
So the when the quality food with essential nutrients is given to the body, the body knows when to stop and there is no need to feel guilty when eating healthy. Eat 5-6 times a day, regularly, and keep your portions small and nutritionally balanced. Your constant hunger and guilt may disappear sooner than you think.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE BUT ONLY AS A GUIDE IN WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER.
