More on What Biologically Active Food Supplements (BAFS) Are

BAFS are made up of natural organic ingredients. These are classified in the United States as Nutritional Supplements, Organic Supplements, Natural Food Supplements, Organic Food Supplements, etc. They are considered “Biologically Active” as they have been produced using “cold” processes. There has been no heat or chemicals used in production that would degrade or destroy the nutrient value of the supplement. It is questionable whether those made with “hot” processes (as in boiling) can truly be considered as “Biologically Active” food supplements since the biological character of the product can be degraded or changed by heat.

They are derived from plants that grow in specific geographic areas where they have been used for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years. Some of these plants have been used by the common people as part of their local diet or culture; but most have been the province of “shamans” or “medicine men” for illness prevention, curing a variety of bodily problems, or enhancing certain physical activities. Read the rest of this entry »

Alternative To Typical Synthetic Supplements Is Needed, Say Experts

Whole food supplements is currently a topic of worldwide interest. A profusion of evidence has recently come to light suggesting that ordinary synthetic multivitamin supplements may be hazardous to your health. Goran Bjelakovic, a respected scientist from the University of Copenhagen, headed up a massive meta-study that looked at the results of 67 placebo-controlled trials previously undertaken to determine the effects of vitamin and anti-oxidant supplements on longevity. In the end, the study combined observations of 232 000 test subjects. By using such a large population sample, a study can become much more powerful with regards to spotting large-scale trends and overcoming human bias.

The results of the analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, were nothing less than shocking. Looking at patients with diabetes, heart disease and lung cancer, as well as healthy, normal individuals, there was no apparent benefit to taking popular fractionated supplements like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Selenium, or beta-Carotene. In fact, the results went in the opposite direction – there was an increased chance of death (16 percent) amongst Vitamin A users, a 7 percent higher death rate amongst beta-Carotene users, and a 4 percent mortality increase in Vitamin E users. Beta-Carotene and Retinol, promoted as anti-carcinogenic agents, may promote lung cancer. That’s right – pills marketed as helping you towards a longer, healthier life are in fact correlated with a speedier demise. This study used typical supplements on the market made from synthetic vitamins. Read the rest of this entry »