Vital tips for living well

Finding the perfect balance

The dictionary defines vitality as "the capacity to live, grow or develop". Applied to the notion of wellness, being vital means you exude optimism, enjoy life to the fullest, eat well, have a great work-life balance, get plenty of rest and have minimal health issues.

How many people like this do you know? Surely they have some secrets which we haven't yet discovered! The good news is each of us can maximise our wellness by eating the right food, getting enough sleep, controlling our stress levels, exercising enough and enjoying our families. Sound easy? Our daily routines can certainly act as a barrier to each of these aspects, so how do we find the balance?

The fast-food industry is flourishing because many people see it as a convenient option. Indeed, we all go through a stage of our lives where we rely on energy rich, high fat, high carb food combinations because of the perception we don't have any time. This mindset has led us to an overweight society rife with the diseases of affluence like cancer and diabetes. It's time to rediscover the value of good, nutritious food.

When both parents work and school activities result in eating later in the evening, food considerations become difficult. Nutrient supplementation won't solve these problems and research shows that supplements are of greatest value when they support healthy food options. We'd like to think that a 'balanced diet' is the solution to all our challenges, but we often don't have time to prepare a balanced diet anymore.

Using a daily multivitamin such as Blackmores^¥Δ Sustained Release Multi or BioSource^¥Δ Women's Wellbeing Formula seems an easy option. This simple nutrient combination often provides the trace elements to allow enzymes to digest our food, convert it to energy and ultimately encourage it to support our vitality.

Support for your immune system

As time goes by, some of our energy systems need more support than others. The hardest working one involves our immune system. Our mood and attitude has a tremendous bearing on the function of our immune system. This complex and fascinating part of human health protects us against infection and the development of cancer. When we're happy, our immune system functions much better. Conversely, when we are upset or anxious, our immune system tends to be depressed.

The health of our immune system is largely determined by our stress and nutritional status. Dietary factors which depress immune function include nutrient deficiency, sugar and high cholesterol levels in our blood. Dietary factors which enhance immune function include all essential nutrients, antioxidants, carotenes and flavonoids.

Consistent with good health and vitality, optimal immune function requires a healthy diet that is rich in whole, natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts, and to contain adequate, but not excessive, amounts of protein. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with plenty of water each day are simple. But also essential are a positive mental attitude, a good high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement, regular exercise and adequate relaxation including sleep.

When we eat too much of the wrong types of food, the nutritional deficiencies plus the excesses team up to reduce immune function.

Wellness and vitality do not happen accidentally. We have to work at them and minimise health risks as we enter middle age. Our parents spoke to us often about developing good habits. Maintaining wellness and vitality are merely two of these habits

Boost your vitality with: Lifestream^¥Δ Spirulina, BioSource^¥Δ Immune Plus, Caltrate^¥Δ and BioSource^¥Δ COQ10.