Nature’s Sunshine Products

There are seven essential nutrients that sustain human life:

1.    Water – This is the body’s most basic nutritional need and is required for almost every function and without it you will die in just a few days.  You must not reduce fluid intake to lose weight as it dangerous.  You must not ignore thirst; you should drink at least eight large glasses of water a day.  The body also gets water from milk, eggs, meat, vegetables and fruit.

2.    Protein – This is produced from amino acids and is essential for growth and maintenance of the body tissues, blood cells, hormones and enzymes.  Protein is found in meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, eggs and vegetable like green beans and tomatoes, grains, seeds and nuts.  This should be at least 10/15% of your daily calories intake.

3.    Carbohydrates – These provide fuel to meet your energy needs.  Complex Carbohydrates are the most important type, known as starches.  They are found in many plant foods like wheat, rice, potatoes, pasta and yarns.  These should be 55/60% of your daily food intake.

4.    Fibre – This is an indigestible carbohydrate and important to general health.  There are two types of fibre insoluble and soluble, insoluble fibre helps the digestive process, it can help prevent haemorrhoids and may help prevent cancer of the lower bowel.  You can get it from wheat, rice, pasta, bran, wholegrain, cereals and breads, nuts and prunes.  Soluble fibre is thought to reduce cholesterol and prevent arterial disease and heart attacks.  You can get it from oats, peas, beans, root vegetables and citrus fruit.  You should have at least 18grms of fibre a day.

5.    Fat – This is essential as an energy store and can help insulate the body against rapid heat loss and helps the body produce hormones.  It can cushion vital organs like the liver and kidneys and aid the absorption of certain vitamins.  There are two types of fats which are saturated like butter and unsaturated like vegetable oil.  Foods very high in fat like fast foods, fried foods and sugary snacks should be avoided as very little nutrient value.  Unsaturated fats may help protect you against heart disease.  Fat should be about 30% of your diet, but most people regularly exceed this.

6.    Vitamins – These are organic compounds, they are essential for body growth, function, repair and maintenance.  Vitamins are categorised into two groups, water soluble and fat soluble.  Water soluble vitamins include B and C; they are needed daily but are not stored in the body’s tissues.  Fat soluble A, D, E and K are stored in the body for longer periods of time and so excessive intake may be harmful. 

7.    Minerals – These are essential inorganic compounds that aid energy production and body maintenance as well as assisting in the control of the body reactions and reflexes.  These are three groups, macro minerals, micro minerals and trace elements.  Macro minerals including calcium, sodium and magnesium are required in large amounts.  The body’s needs micro minerals like iron, manganese and zinc in lesser quantities.  Trace elements required in minuscule amounts include manganese and iodine.  A diet that contains lean red meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, cereals and pulses and a wide range of vegetables should provide all the minerals essential for health.

Nature’s Sunshine produce top quality products and have an extensive range to suit most nutritional requirements.  Nutrition is important so we can still do the things we dream of when we retire and they have the energy and vitality to do so.  Whether you would like more energy, better sleep, healthier skin, improved health, prevent the aging process, prevent illnesses, detox or bring harmony and balance through your whole physical body, Nature’s Sunshine have products for you.