Poor diet and nutrition is a major cause of the increase in conditions such as

heart disease, diabetes and strokes. In today's fast paced life lack of time means

that many people don't get regular healthy meals. A lunchtime meeting at the office

may mean 5 minutes to quickly down a sandwich while checking emails. Late home

from work, children to take care of and a million other distractions dinner may

mean take always or easy pre prepared food from the supermarket.

Obesity has become more common with about 2 in 5 adults being overweight and

about 1 in 5 adults diagnosed as being obese in the UK. Poor diet and nutrition

as well as exercise has a large part to play in this and people are advised

to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.

A healthy diet rich in plenty of fruit and vegetables is great providing you

with essential fibre and nutrients, however just how many vitamins and minerals

are you getting from your diet?

Each day your body needs 60 minerals, 15 vitamins and 12 essential amino

acids. Without these the body is susceptible to a whole range of illnesses.

A hundred years ago eating an apple was a great way to get your daily dose

of vitamin C, but today eating an apple bought from your local supermarket may

be almost completely devoid of any vitamins.

The level of nutrients in our food has gradually decreased over the years and

is 50 less iron than 50 years ago,and

runner beans that used to contain large amounts of sodium hardly have a trace

of it today. Sodium is vital for muscle and nerve tissue.

Chemicals are also added to our food. Fertilizers and pesticides are used in

farming, and fruit is often sprayed with chemicals to help ripening after they

have been picked.

Taking a good quality vitamin and nutritional supplement is the only way to

ensure that you are meeting your nutritional daily requirements.

The health shops and supermarkets are stacked full of different vitamin tablets,

but which one do you choose? Do you know what vitamin or trace mineral you're

deficient in? You don't!

The best type of vitamin and nutritional supplement to take is a multi vitamin

one, to ensure that you are getting all the required vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins in tablet form are very hard to digest and only about 20-98% is absorbed into

the body this way. Liquid vitamin supplements are also three to five times more

concentrated than vitamin pills and this leads to higher bio-activity and greater

therapeutic benefits.