3 Major Nutritional Gaps in the American Diet

Dr. Henrik E. Poulsen, of Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, and his associates have reported that supplementing men for two weeks with olive oil reduced oxidative damage by 13%.   The researchers felt that the benefit was derived from a combination of the antioxidants in olive oil and the reduction in saturated fats.  However, Reuters Health states that for a healthy diet one should add more than just olive oil…..

Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent cooking oil although cooking temperatures should be kept below 325 degrees F as this is the smoke point of olive oil.   Overly heated olive oil will be less healthy.   Macadamia nut oil (MacNut) has a smoke point of 425 degrees F for use as higher cooking temperatures are required.   Poulson told Reuters Health that for a healthy diet one should add more than olive oil.    He recommends a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish.   He also pointed out that olive oil is no substitute for restricting calories and for regular exercise.

The recommendation of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains should sound familiar.

This was the core of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid.   In addition other prominent institutions have recommended the nutrients in these foods including Harvard University, the American Heart Association, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.   The recommendation for increased intake of fish, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains reveals three major nutritional gaps in the American diet.   These are as follows:

Carotenoids and other antioxidants:
There are a couple of problems here.   Firstly, most Americans do not eat fruits and vegetables in adequate quantity.   Secondly, we choose fruits and vegetables which have little in the way of carotenoids such as iceberg lettuce, potatoes, apples and bananas.   Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables daily?   Read about GNLD’s Carotenoid Complex and other Antioxidant product supplements.

Omega-3 Oils:
Americans consume a good deal of protein, but these foods no longer contain high levels of omega-3 oils as they did in the past because farm animals are no longer fed grass.   Instead they are fed corn which has virtually no omega-3 oils.    How can you get enough omega-3 in your diet?   Do it the simple way.   Read about GNLD’s PURE Salmon Oil Plus.

Lipids, Sterols, and Fiber from Grains and Legumes:
Refining of grains removes the nutritionally significant phospholipids and phytosterols.    Virtually all fiber is also removed from processed grains including rice, wheat, and soybeans.   These nutrients, particularly the carotenoids and quality fats, are of such nutritional significance that they form the core of GNLD’s Vitality Packages (These products can be purchased separately from the Vitality Program.).   It is remarkable the benefits customers have experienced simply by adding these nutrients to the diet.    Also, read about GNLD’s exclusive Tre-en-en Grain Concentrates and Fiber Products.

Reference:
Poulsen, Henrik, E.., and Machowetz, Anja, et al, Eff ect of olive oils on biomarkers of oxidative DNAstress in Northern and Southern Europeans, FASEB

Copyright © by Jim McAfee, BCN.  All rights reserved.

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Tagged with: American Heart Association • antioxidant products • copenhagen university hospital • harvard university • national cancer institute • national institutes of health • nutritional gaps • reuters health • usda food guide • usda food guide pyramid

Filed under: GNLD Product Knowledge • Nutritional Information

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