Dietary surveys indicate that 30-50% of the total caloric intake of a typical diet is made up of highly processed, adulterated and nutrient-deficient foods. For example, white flour has been deprived of 60% of its original calcium, 71% of phosphorus, 75% of iron, 67% of copper and 85% of manganese. The loss of vitamins is similar.

The National Research Council's Committee on Diet and Health has stated, "A comprehensive review ... indicates that diet influences the risk of several major chronic diseases."

Studies show that health and longevity are increased by avoiding smoking, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol or none at all, controlling weight, reducing stress, exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet.

The first step to eating smart is making sure your diet includes sufficient amounts of fibre and other essential nutrients, and restricting the amounts of fat and refined sugar and flour that are consumed.

The American Cancer Society recognises a relationship between certain types of cancer and the way people eat. Most people should eat as varied a diet as possible and become better acquainted with all kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, eggs, 100 percent whole grains, nuts and seeds.

The American Heart Association proposes that total fat intake should be less than 30 percent of total calories consumed. Saturated fat intake should be as low as possible, and polyunsaturated fat should be less than 10 percent. Amounts of monounsaturated fat can be as high as desired so long as it doesn't increase total fat intake to more than 30 percent of daily calories.

To ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need, our Nature's Sunshine products are aimed at increasing the levels of general nutrition for all the systems in the body.