Balancing Your Lifestyle
Brannick Riggs
VP of Essential Oil Education , Chairman of Scientific and Medical Education Committee
As a physician with decades of experience , I have come to realise that health is not a destination , it ’ s a journey . Our health changes over the course of our lives with many lessons along the way . What does a change in our bodies mean ? Or rather , what is your body telling you ? These changes show that our specific needs can inform our ongoing health journey . If you ’ re interested in better understanding your health , or maintaining it , maybe supplements are for you .
Modern diets have evolved drastically . In earlier times , we foraged for food , and that food was full of phytonutrients to sustain and supply our bodies with the vital nutrients our cells needed to thrive . However , those phytonutrients weren ’ t palatable . So , changes were made .
First , with agriculture , we learned techniques to make food taste better and grow bigger . During that process , nutrients declined . Now , there is less value in eating whole , organic , non-GMO fruits and vegetables since the nutrients have decreased at an alarming rate . Data informs us that our bodies need more nutrients .
Second , we learned to process food by removing elements that didn ’ t have an ideal taste . For example , flour comes from wheat , a brown grain . Grinding wheat produces a brown powder with fibre , but to improve taste , the food industry removes the fibre and filters out the bran and wheat germ , resulting in white flour . This “ processing ” applies to many foods , changing their nutrient content .
Almost 70 % of Europeans are deficient in iron , vitamin D , zinc , and iodine , which are essential for carrying oxygen to cells , supporting the immune system , and ensuring optimal endocrine function . Over 10 % of the EU population lacks sufficient vitamin B12 , resulting in fatigue due to inefficient energy conversion . Between 17 % and 22 % of adolescents have a vitamin B9 deficiency , affecting cognitive function and increasing the risk of birth defects . Additionally , 43 % to 51 % of school-age children lack iodine , crucial for thyroid function , brain and bone development , and overall metabolic regulation . These deficiencies are cause for concern .
But a great diet can help . Eating a broad range of fresh , nutritious whole foods forms the basis of a healthy lifestyle . A dear friend of mine recently said , “ You can ’ t out supplement a poor diet ,” so it ’ s important to consume lots of nutrient-dense food in every meal . Then , proper supplementation can support the vital cofactors missing from the modern-day diet , all of which are vital for our cellular health . Those cofactors include vitamins , minerals , and polyphenols . They support the health of our cells , leading to the health of our organs , which in turn promotes the health of our entire system , culminating in overall wellbeing .
22 | Nutrition & Digestion