USANA - YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

Mrs.  Perlita H. Paragas

Builder / Agent

HP       : +65 82232588

Email : pjane2006@hotmail.com

    
Foreword


The importance of nutrition for human health has long been recognized. Prior to
1960, interest in this field largely focused on the etiology and prevention of acute
nutrient deficiency diseases such as scurvy, rickets, and pellagra. Some 50 essential
nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, cofactors, essential amino acids, essential
fatty acids) were identified, and recommended daily intakes for those essential
nutrients (e.g. Recommended Dietary Allowances or RDAs) were developed. These
recommendations, in turn, proved to be valuable in eradicating acute nutrient
deficiency diseases.

During the past 20-30 years, attention has shifted to the role of diet and nutrition in
the pathogenesis of chronic degenerative diseases. Heart disease, some cancers,
osteoporosis, type II diabetes, and macular degeneration are all known to have
dietary risk factors, many of which involve chronic nutrient deficiencies. Importantly,
these associations have been much more difficult to study, in large measure because
of the time frames involved. Chronic degenerative diseases develop over decades
(lifetimes), and it is extremely challenging to conduct research programs for such
extended periods. Nevertheless, advances in epidemiological and clinical research
have helped us learn a great deal about the impacts (positive and negative) of diet
and essential nutrient intakes on long-term health.

During the past decade, the scientific and healthcare communities have paid
increasing attention to the role of nutritional supplements (as components of diet) in
preventing and treating chronic disease. Hundreds of scientific studies have been
conducted and published. These studies span a broad range of health issues. They
have employed a wide variety of methodologies. And they have produced both
positive and negative results. In some areas (e.g. the role of calcium and vitamin D
supplements in slowing the progression of osteoporosis, and the role of folic acid
supplements in preventing certain birth defects), results have been consistent, and
benefits have been well accepted. In other areas (e.g. the role of antioxidant
supplementation in preventing heart disease) results have been less consistent, and
conclusions remain controversial. In any event, research on the health benefits of
nutritional supplements is progressing, and evidence continues to mount that
nutritional supplements offer a convenient and cost effective means for promoting
health, over both the short- and long-terms.

The following is a list of bibliographic references for recent scientific papers
describing research on the health benefits of nutritional supplements. The list is not
exhaustive. Papers were selected on the basis of scientific merit and relevance to the
field, regardless of whether positive or negative results were obtained. Our objective
in compiling this list was to provide readers with a good cross section of the scientific
literature so that they can develop a sense for the current state of research in this
field and draw their own conclusions concerning the role of supplementation in
health care. For convenience, the references have been sorted by health issue;
namely Cardiovascular Health, Cancer Prevention, Strong Bones, Healthy
Pregnancies/Healthy Babies, Sound Metabolism, Robust Immune Function, Acute
Vision, and Other.
 

“He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.”