A healthy nutritious diet is essential for good health but we sometimes find that we need additional supplements to stimulate the body’s natural defences  - but how do we choose the ones that will be most beneficial?  Independent health food stores are a valuable source of friendly, free advice and information - often at the heart of the local community, providing jobs for local people and reaching out to community groups with advice on healthy eating and lifestyles.  An increasing number also now offer a range of complementary therapies  in-store and on-line shopping is often available to those who live in more remote areas.