Are You Using Natural Supplements Correctly?

Winter is almost here; that means less daylight hours and a higher chance of getting sick! To cope, we are intrigued by a recent a national study conducted by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) of over 1500 Canadians to determine fact, fiction and myth when it comes to natural health remedies. Let’s get debunking.

Fact or Fiction: Vitamin C Can Indeed Ward off the Common Cold – (Fiction)

Although 78% of Canadian believe this to be true, the reality is that only 22% of the study participants got it right. The fact is, Vitamin C won’t cure (or prevent) the common cold.

Fact or Fiction: Vitamin D is Naturally Occurring in Many Whole Food Sources – (Fiction)

The study showed that 60% of Canadians believe that Vitamin D occurs naturally in many whole foods. On the contrary, only a few foods are a good source of Vitamin D. Fortified milk, fatty fish like mackerel, or certain mushrooms that have been exposed to sunlight . The only way to ensure getting at least 1000 IU of vitamin D is through supplementation.

Fact or Fiction: Eating Protein Before A Workout Boost Stamina – (Fiction)

The fact is, eating protein at night before sleep actually is the best strategy. A recent study found that consuming a protein supplement right before sleep resulted in improvements in muscle strength and lean muscle mass in men doing resistance training exercises.

Fact or Fiction: Probiotics Have Been Linked to Immunity – (Fact)

Roughly 60% of Canadians do understand that probiotics are finding new applications in mental health, immune system support and skin health.

Fact or Fiction: Eating Organic Foods Significantly Reduces Exposure to Pesticides – (Fact)

Only 63% of Canadians knew that organic foods may not always be low in pesticides. There is often mixed messages about the benefits of choosing organics. This confusion is apparent as almost 40% of Canadians believed that when they buy organics, they are exposed to less pesticides.

This CHFA study with 1500+ participants from all over Canada was interesting. The clear message was that there are still many confusing issues out there when it comes to good health. To help you avoid the flu bug and get through this winter, remember to include a Vitamin D supplement, lots of dark green veggies like kale and include some probiotics in your diet!

Gloria Tsang, RD

Alumni: University of British Columbia – Gloria Tsang is the author of 6 books and the founder of HealthCastle.com, the largest online nutrition network run by registered dietitians. Her work has appeared in major national publications, and she is a regularly featured nutrition expert for media outlets across the country. The Huffington Post named her one of its Top 20 Nutrition Experts on Twitter. Gloria’s articles have appeared on various media such as Reuters, NBC & ABC affiliates, The Chicago Sun-Times, Reader’s Digest Canada, iVillage and USA Today.