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Roundup of the latest research & what it means to you

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Ways and means: Getting full nutritional value

The value of vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals are known to work in synergy. Because of this, it is impossible to accurately assess their effects in isolation. For example, vitamin A and vitamin D are needed for magnesium and calcium absorption; vitamin C works with vitamin E and vitamin E works with selenium.

Added to this is the fact that vitamin and mineral content of our foods varies enormously. Researchers find that they cannot rely on nutrient tables to determine the quantities of vitamins and minerals their patients are consuming. They must analyze all the foods eaten to get accurate numbers—an expensive undertaking.

Scientists have attempted to get around this problem by creating synthetic vitamins in pill form, but this practice presents problems as well. For example, synthetic vitamin D2 added to milk actually has the opposite effect of naturally occurring vitamin D complex, causing decalcification of the hard tissues and calcification of the soft tissues, including the soft tissues of the arteries.

For this reason, vitamin D2 has been quietly dropped as an additive and replaced by vitamin D3, but there is evidence that synthetic vitamin D3 is poorly absorbed. Synthetic vitamin E has also had disappointing results in trials.

In summary, vitamins found in whole food work more efficiently and are needed in smaller quantities than synthetic vitamins. Animal studies indicate that minerals taken in as a part of whole foods have more beneficial effects than those given in supplement form.

Research has also proven that whole foods are the most beneficial way to get vitamins and minerals every day. Furthermore, a recent study by Health Research and Studies Center shows that whole foods processed in the Vita-Mix machine release even more nutrition than food that is simply chewed. Findings indicate that the Vita-Mix machine can increase the benefits of whole food nutrition up to three times, because the Vita-Mix machine reduces whole foods to microscopic particles that are easier for the body to assimilate.

All of this medical information sounds complicated and technical, right? The best way you can put this research to use is to put your Vita-Mix machine to use every day. A diet that ensures at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables is the easiest path to lowered risk of heart disease and stroke. Your Vita-Mix machine makes that task easy, nutritious and delicious.

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