“Why are we having epidemic problems in 2007?” asks Dr. Robert F. Cowan, of Pensacola. “Why is our nation getting sicker? Because we are not getting the nutrients.

“They (food manufacturers) take out the nutrients to be able to process it,’’ Cowan said. “”Then, they come back and add some nutrients back in — (those) that they are required to put back in.”

Now, more than ever, nutritional supplements are crucial in the maintenance of a healthy mind and body, he and other health professionals say.

But deciding which supplements to take can be confusing and overwhelming.

People do benefit from synthetic supplements, Cowan believes, but he advocates taking supplements made from organic food products. Supplements made from organic plants supply all the enzymes, co-enzymes, antioxidants and other factors that allow nutrients to be assimilated into the body more easily.

“It doesn’t make sense that we put anything else in our bodies,” said Cowan, a chiropractor, acupuncturist and nutritionist. “The body can’t truly achieve unless it’s getting good food.”

In his West Michigan Avenue office, he carries Standard Process Whole Foods medi-herbs and nutritional supplements, which he said are a natural source of vitamins and minerals, and they can only be distributed by a physician.

Dr. David Winkles of Winkles’ Pharmacy in Pace shares Cowan’s views on supplements.

The fight against osteoporosis, with calcium and magnesium as the strongest weapons, should begin as early as the pre-teen years, he said. He also recommends multivitamins for children, but added, “I don’t really think there is a replacement for parents injecting diet and exercise.”

Neither parents nor clinicians place a strong enough emphasis on proper nutrition, said Winkles, who faults a lack of preventative education as the primary cause of this deficiency.

“We don’t do enough education in the South. We don’t try to fix it until after it’s broken,’’ he said.

Because women face health issues that differ from their male counterparts, Winkles first recommends a gender-specific multivitamin with minerals. He doesn’t stop there. Essential fatty acids, (flaxseed oils and fish oils) co-enzyme Q-10 and calcium are high on his list of the top 10 supplements needed by women.

The most essential minerals for women, Winkles said, are calcium and magnesium.

“The earlier you start calcium replacement, the less chance you have of osteoporosis in your 40s and up.”

To help combat the effects of menopause, Winkles suggests vitamin C and the more bioactive form of vitamin E — tocopherol.

Lyn Sparks at Ever’man Natural Foods Cooperative Grocery in Pensacola is seeing more people, women in particular, taking a stand to be their own health advocates.

Many customers have done their research and come in looking for energy-boosting supplements and fish oils and products for memory and focus.

“Actually, some of the younger people are using them, like those who are going to school. It helps them to focus.”

“We have both herbal and a wide range of synthetics,” Sparks said.

So, even though men and women may be from different planets and speak a different language, they still share a common goal — getting healthy and staying that way. It’s never too early to start taking multivitamins and minerals, according to Winkles.

Cowan said it’s never too late. It’s just a matter of finding out, through your doctor, nutritionist or pharmacist, what your body needs and getting started on the road to a healthier you.

And it doesn’t hurt to stay away from the French fries and doughnuts, either.

SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH

For information: The United States Department of Health and Human Services provides information on safety and wellness and can be accessed at www.hhs.gov. According to Dr. David Winkles of Winkles’ Pharmacy, the department can tell you whether or not a vitamin/supplement company is reputable.

Dr. Robert F. Cowan, a chiropractor, acupuncturist and nutritionist, makes the following recommendations for supplements.

1. Essential fatty acids (Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s)
The benefits of these oils are important to reduce inflammation, induce a calming effect, improve IQ, regulate mood, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

2. Multivitamins Minerals
Multivitamins and minerals are an insurance policy against an array of nutritional deficiencies brought on by depleted mineral content in soil, pollution, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chronic stress.
Studies have revealed that they help boost immune systems.

3. Liver-protective supplements
The quality of life in part is dependent on the liver. The liver is one of the largest, most important organs in the human body, responsible for maintaining dietary functions and blood sugar levels, among other things. Just as important is the liver’s ability to detox the toxins that enter the body. For this, it is very important that anyone thinking about taking a supplement for the liver seek professional advice as to the benefits and detriments of taking supplements. The liver loves beets and green foods to assist in detoxification.

4. Calcium and Magnesium Vitamin D (fresh air, sun and easy exercise)
“One in four women over age 50 has osteoporosis” — that’s just one of the many statistics we hear every day, and we are reminded how important the above combination is for healthy bones for the reduction of fractures of both the hips and the spinal segments. Low calcium intake is one of the risk factors in degenerative diseases. Magnesium is helpful for heart function and energy production.

5. Digestive Enzymes
Enzymes are essential to the body’s absorption and full use of food. The capacity of the living organism to make enzymes diminishes with age, and some scientists believe that humans could live longer and be healthier by guarding against the loss of our precious enzymes. Digestive enzymes break down the food we eat into simple nutrients the body's cells can use.

6. Probiotics
Supplements of probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, may help protect older adults against bowel conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. These “friendly” bacteria, which include lactobacilli and bifid bacteria, are found in yogurt and other fermented foods, as well as in dietary supplements. Maintaining a healthy balance of gastrointestinal flora is believed to prevent harmful bacteria from taking hold and causing illnesses such as food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea. Probiotics may also benefit healthy people of all ages, particularly those using antibiotics, which kill all types of bacteria in the gut.

7. Coenzyme Q10 and other heart-protective factors
Helps create energy within the cell mitochondria. This supplement has shown to help with muscle weakness and pain. It may help with common heart conditions but let your doctor be the judge of that.

8. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
This herb is helpful as an Adrenal tonic, which helps with the effects of chronic stress. This is a good supplement to reduce the effects of daily stress. Ashwagandha, in recent studies, causes antioxidant activity that protects the brain cells assisting in reducing aging. (British Journal of Pharmacology 2005).

9. Green tea and other antioxidants
Compounds that protect the body against free radical activity and fat peroxidation. Low levels tend to create illness, where high levels may reduce the prevalence of disease. A combination of vitamins A, C, E, Alfalfa, ginseng, garlic, highly colored fruits and vegetables, carrots, spinach, and many more are instrumental in protecting the body from early degenerative disease.

WHERE TO SHOP

Winkles’ Pharmacy
3818 U.S.90
Pace,
850-994-7005

Ever’man Natural Foods Cooperative Grocery
315 W. Garden St.
Pensacola
850-438-0402