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 Every disease ultimately and inevitably involves inadequate and faulty nutrition. Building health through nutrition requires determination and dedication in daily practice. It determines our longevity, controls our personality and behavior, affects our intelligence, builds or destroys our resistance and immunity, influences our reproductive efficiency, amongst myriads of other factors that differentiate between a zestful life versus mere existence.
Healthy soil is the basis of health for all life forms. Vitamins, minerals, and even the protein content of plants vary widely with soil fertility. The nutritional content of US grown fruits and vegetables has declined significantly during the last 50+ years. Modern agricultural practices thoroughly raped the soil without replacing what it has taken. Commercial fertilizers produce initial high yields, but ultimately deplete the earth so that foods grown on them suffer accordingly. When the land is deficient, plants grown on that land is deficient; animals which feed on the plants are deficient; people who eat those plants and animals are deficient.
Food processing and improper cooking methods affects vitamin content to varying extents. The missing nutrients that allow illnesses to develop have been discarded in processing and refining of foods. Some vitamins are highly heat-sensitive; thus, are quickly destroyed.
Even with the best of foods and regimented diets, we can no longer depend on food to supply adequate nutritive factors to support optimum health. The US recommended daily allowance (RDA) is meaningless as it gives only the minimum daily requirement sufficient to prevent acute deficiencies but not enough to support vibrant health, especially as individual requirements for specific vitamins and minerals vary widely. Additionally, high consumption of sugar and junk food; refined flour products; rancid vegetable oils; hydrogenated and trans fats; indulgence in alcohol, tobacco and many drugs (prescription as well as recreational), depletes the body of nutrients, resulting in higher vitamin and mineral requirements. Stress of any kind also causes the body to use up available nutrients at an incredible speed. |
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Prescription Medication, OTC Drugs = Nutrient Thieves
Knowledge that long-term use of many drugs lead to deficiencies of specific nutrients has been documented by numerous of studies done over several decades. Conclusively, these studies show that drugs deplete nutrients whether by interfering with absorption or by inhibiting transport & metabolism, yet this information is not generally communicated to the public. All drugs burden the liver and carry side effects. The consequences can be disasterous. |
| Vitamin | Action | Deficiency | Food Sources | Best Supplemental Form | A | This all-important vitamin is a catalyst on which innumerable biochemical processes depend. Vitamin A also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body against pollutants and free radicals, hence against cancer. Vitamin A stimulates the secretion of gastric juices needed for protein digestion, plays a vital role in building strong bones and rich blood. Provitamin A or carotene is also a powerful antioxidant. No toxicity is associated with high levels of natural carotenoids or vitamin A. | Antibiotics, laxatives, fat substitutes and cholesterol-lowering drugs interfere with vitamin-A absorption. | butterfat, egg yolks, liver and other organ meats, seafood and fish liver oils, gac and palm oil are particularly abundant in carotenes | | B complex | These the water-soluble B vitamins work as a team to promote healthy nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, muscle tone and cardiovascular function; they protect us from mental disorders, depression and anxiety. It is essential to the manufacture of hydrochloric acid, and proper function of the adrenal glands. It plays a vital role in cell metabolism and cholesterol production. | B1 deficiency leads to the disease Beriberi, is the root cause of anorexia and other eating disorders. Frequent cracks in the lips and corners of the mouth is a sign of B2 deficiency. Deficiency of B3 results in Pellagra, characterized by dermatitis, dementia, tremors and diarrhea. Deficiencies in B6 have been linked to diabetes, nervous disorders and coronary heart disease. Folic acid deficiency can result in babies born with neural tube deformities like spinal bifida. B12 deficiency can induce fatigue. | liver, nutritional yeast, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood and organ meats; they can also be produced by intestinal bacteria. | | C | This powerful antioxidant is best known for its use in treatment of the common cold. It is also crucial for tissue growth and repair, strengthening of capillary walls, lactation and adrenal gland function. It is vital for the formation of collagen, the body's structural substance and promotes wound healing. | Vitamin C is destroyed by heat. Alcohol and many common drugs including aspirin and oral contraceptives may reduce vitamin C levels in the body.
| fruits and vegetables, certain animal organs | | D | Vitamin D is needed for calcium and phosphorus absorption and thus is essential for strong bones, healthy teeth and normal growth. It seems to protect against cancer and multiple sclerosis. The body manufactures vitamin D3 out of cholesterol in the presence of sunlight. | rickets and myopia | butterfat, eggs, liver, organ meats, marine oils and seafood, particularly shrimp and crab | | E | This fat-soluble vitamin is needed for circulation, tissue repair and healing. It is helpful in the treatment of fibrocystic conditions, heart disease, sterility, PMS and muscular dystrophy It is highly regarded as an anti-aging factor. A vital role of vitamin E is the deactivation of free radicals. This powerful antioxidant works in concert with certain trace elements, notably selenium and zinc, to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. | Increased ingestion of polyunsaturated (vegetable) oils requires greater amounts of vitamin E. | unrefined vegetable oils, butter, organ meats, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables.
| | Essential Fatty Acids | | | | | | | | | | |
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