Take 5 for Five

Did you know that September is “National Fruit & Veggie - More Matters Month”? What’s the big deal about that you may ask? Well, consider the following statistics:

 - Less than 25% of the American population     
consumes the recommended 5 or more
servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

 -  The frequency of fruit and vegetable  
consumption in the USA changed very little
from 1994-2005.

 - America is largely an unhealthy nation with    
death rates from cardiovascular disease and cancer   among the highest of industrialized countries, not to mention an ever-increasing obesity epidemic.

So what do fruits and vegetables provide?

1). ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS. Vitamins
A & C are plentiful in most fruits and vegetables.These help      provide a strong immune system (ability to fight infection). Minerals such as potassium are helpful for blood pressure regulation.

2). ANTI-OXIDANTS. These natural substances help
prevent free radical damage which leads to premature
aging, brain deterioration, and inflammation.

3). FIBER. This is what helps clean out your intestines from fecal waste. A low fiber diet predisposes people to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

You may recall from a previous newsletter that I talked about detoxifying your system. Foods that are not properly broken down and eliminated can be subject to bacterial and fungal assault in your digestive tract which can result in excessive gas or a build up of toxins that cause headaches, abdominal pain, and/or joint pain.

With all the talk about health care reform recently, we need to take
preventative measures. Check out the government-sponsored link at http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/ for more information on how and what to incorporate into your diet. One of the things we see when we do dietary consults is that people consistently lack a steady diet of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green, leafy foods which is consistent with the national average. Remember, we offer dietary consultations to help you make better choices from all food groups every day.

Dr. Nabzdyk is a holistic physician with over 18 years experience. He owns and operates ABC Wellness & Rehab, providing individualized nutritional coaching, acupuncture, and chiropractic, as well as hormonal and allergy testing. Call (815) 609-7735 for more information or visit us at www.abcwellness-rehab.com