Dietary Supplements – Good or Bad?
By Catharine Walkinshaw, Herbal Consultant and Reiki Practitioner
If I eat right and exercise is it really necessary to take vitamins and herbs?

It depends on whether you want good health or optimal health. We have higher incidences of chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, than most of the world. Our degraded food supply and low activity, high stress lifestyle are the main culprits. Because of years of poor farming practices, even foods grown under purely organic methods are devoid of some crucial nutritional elements.

Thus, simply eating healthy is not enough to stave off some of these diseases. A recent article in the Seattle Times reported that a majority of physicians take a good multiple vitamin/mineral and at least one or two other supplements such as an herb, extra vitamin E for heart protection, or glucosamine for joint health.

When choosing supplements, more is not necessarily better. And, if you have an aversion to taking pills, some companies offer supplements in powder or liquid forms. Be sure to check out any supplements with your health practitioner. It's best to take an optimal group that do not conflict with each other and do not conflict with any prescriptions you are taking. An excellent book on this subject is The New Nutrition, Medicine for the Millennium by Dr. Michael Colgan.

If you would like to submit a question for a future column, please email us at cwalk@mashell.com or write to us c/o Eatonville's Wellness Center P.O. Box 543 Eatonville, WA 98328.