http://www.thejc.com/user/feed/0 RSS feed of user posts en http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/food/68119/are-vitamin-supplements-good-your-health <p>If I asked you to think about which foods are healthy, the chances are that you would probably include, say, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, plain yogurt, legumes, poultry, olive oil and wholegrains. You might be less sure precisely why these foods are considered healthy, but in general terms, they cover all the food groups and are rich in nutrients. </p> <p>Of course the nutrients in food are of particular interest, but despite their importance, focusing on nutrients in isolation isn’t always useful, simply because I feel that there is an increasing belief that individual nutrients come in capsules, not food. If you are in any doubt, take a look at your local health store — they are likely to stock more supplements, capsules, powders, pills and oils than they are food. </p> <p>While there is nothing wrong with supplements per se, I worry that we take too many without the correct advice and without understanding what to expect. Nutrients are not inert substances nor are they always benign, but as they are found in food, we tend to think of them as being always good. But here’s the irony — the people that take supplements tend to be health-aware, fit and active with a good diet and don’t need them (that’s not to say there is no benefit), while the people who really could do with extra nutrients because of a poor diet and lack of exercise just don’t bother. </p> <p>So when it comes to supplements, what should we be taking? First off, please don’t feel pressured into taking anything at all — the chances of you actually being deficient in a nutrient are very low. That said, you might still benefit from a little extra chosen from a small, targeted list. </p> <p>My personal view is that the following are probably worthwhile: 500mg of omega 3 oils twice a day as it helps combat inflammation, enhances insulin sensitivity, offers a degree of protection against cardiovascular disease and helps hormonal balance; a probiotic in capsule form, as they have many roles, not least aiding digestion but also increasing mineral and vitamin B absorption from food and acting as a buffer against unwanted bacteria in food; and lastly, a green drink — often made from algae or the like (who knew that pond scum could be nutritious?) and particularly rich in antioxidants and minerals, but it is in food form and so more easily digested. </p> <p>Ian Marber is one of the UK’s most highly regarded nutrition experts and the author of 11 books. Follow him at Twitter @IanMarber</p> Food 68119 story http://www.thejc.com/files/Ian Marber.jpg Ian Marber 65838 The health guru who leads the fight against lethal party drugs 27050 A bitter pill: beware the treif vitamins If I asked you to think about which foods are healthy, the chances are that you would probably include, say, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, plain yogurt, legumes, poultry, olive oil and wholegrains. You might be less sure precisely why these foods are considered healthy, but in general terms, they cover all the food groups and are rich in nutrients. Of course the nutrients in food are of particular interest, but despite their importance, focusing on nutrients in isolation isn’t always useful, simply because I feel that there is an increasing belief that individual nutrients come in capsules, not food. If you are in any doubt, take a look at your local health store — they are likely to stock more supplements, capsules, powders, pills and oils than they are food. While there is nothing wrong with supplements per se, I worry that we take too many without the correct advice and without understanding what to expect. Nutrients are not inert substances nor are they always benign, but as they are found in food, we tend to think of them as being always good. But here’s the irony — the people that take supplements tend to be health-aware, fit and active with a good diet and don’t need them (that’s not to say there is no benefit), while the people who really could do with extra nutrients because of a poor diet and lack of exercise just don’t bother. So when it comes to supplements, what should we be taking? First off, please don’t feel pressured into taking anything at all — the chances of you actually being deficient in a nutrient are very low. That said, you might still benefit from a little extra chosen from a small, targeted list. My personal view is that the following are probably worthwhile: 500mg of omega 3 oils twice a day as it helps combat inflammation, enhances insulin sensitivity, offers a degree of protection against cardiovascular disease and helps hormonal balance; a probiotic in capsule form, as they have many roles, not least aiding digestion but also increasing mineral and vitamin B absorption from food and acting as a buffer against unwanted bacteria in food; and lastly, a green drink — often made from algae or the like (who knew that pond scum could be nutritious?) and particularly rich in antioxidants and minerals, but it is in food form and so more easily digested. Ian Marber is one of the UK’s most highly regarded nutrition experts and the author of 11 books. Follow him at Twitter @IanMarber Fri, 25 May 2012 13:29:37 +0100 68119 at http://www.thejc.com http://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-ways/68086/reading-book-ruth-shavuot <p>Alongside the episode of giving the Torah, on Shavuot we also read the seemingly less spectacular story of Ruth.</p> <p>However, even without a smoking mountain or the Ten Commandments, Ruth is still a powerful tale of embracing Judaism.</p> <p>The custom of reading Megillat Ruth on Shavuot dates from Gaonic times (sixth to eighth century).Both Shavuot and Ruth are linked to the harvest. Shavuot is the festival of the harvest (Exodus 23:16). Ruth’s denouement happens during the barley harvest.</p> <p>Ruth is also about the repair of a society on the verge of disintegration. It begins with a famine, a family fleeing the country and the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons. </p> <p>However, the megillah ends with Naomi’s return to her family and Ruth’s acceptance to the Jewish people (she is the great-grandmother of King David).</p> <p>Ruth is a reminder on Shavuot that every national redemption (like at Sinai) needs stories of individual healing (like Ruth) in order for us to grasp its full significance.</p> Jewish Ways Shavuot 68086 story Rabbi Julian Sinclair on the paths to practice