Vitamin Supplements

Copper

This metal is particularly important because of its relationship to iron. Only a very small amount of copper is ever needed by the body. It helps in the formation of hemoglobin, acting like a catalyst in this respect. All foods contain some copper, sufficient to meet the normal needs of the body. Anyone who uses a wide variety of foods will not be deficient in this mineral. Read the rest of this entry »

Within the human body there is a surprising assortment of minerals. They have much to do with keeping us in good physical condition. Some minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, are needed for building strong bones and teeth. If it were not for these, our bodies would collapse. Other minerals act more or less like chemical “spark plugs” through their association with the enzyme systems of the body. Still others have special functions of their own to perform.

The chief minerals of the body are calcium, phosphorus, iron, and iodine. We need more of these than of the others. For that reason, these four are the most likely to be missing from a deficient diet. There are only traces of the other minerals in the body, but most of them must also be present for normal health. Read the rest of this entry »

Understanding Your Digestive System

Knowing how your digestive system works will clear up, right at the start, some of the more common confusions about how, when, and where nutrients operate.

Mouth and OesophagusDigestion begins in the mouth with the grinding of food and admixture of saliva. An enzyme called ptyalin in the saliva already begins to split starches into simple sugars. The food is then forced to the back of the mouth and into the oesophagus, or gullet. Here is where peristalsis begins. This is a kneading “milking” constriction and relaxation of muscles that propels material through the digestive system. To prevent back-flow of materials, and to time the release of proper enzymes — since one enzyme cannot do another enzyme’s work — the digestive tract is equipped with valves at important junctions. Read the rest of this entry »

Iodine [Iodide]

FACTS:

Two-thirds of the body’s iodine is in the thyroid gland.

Since the thyroid gland controls metabolism, and iodine influences the thyroid, an under-supply of this mineral can result in slow mental reaction, weight gain, and lack of energy.

The RDA, as established by the National Research Council, is 80 to 150 mcg. for adults [1 mcg. per kilogram of body weight] and 125 to 150 mcg. for pregnant and lactating women respectively. Read the rest of this entry »

Kelp

This amazing seaweed contains more vitamins and minerals than any other food. To be more specific, kelp has vitamin B2, niacin, choline, carotene, and algenic acid, as well as twenty-three minerals which range as follows:

Plus traces of: barium, boron, chromium, lithium, nickel,silver, titanium, vanadium, aluminium, strontium, and silicon. Because of its natural iodine content, kelp has a normalising effect on the thyroid gland. In other words, thin people with thyroid trouble can gain weight by using kelp and obese people can lose weight with it. Read the rest of this entry »

Cravings, which can sometimes mean allergies, are more often nature’s way of letting you know that you’re not getting enough of certain vitamins or minerals. Frequently these specific hungers develop because overall diet is inadequate.

Some of the most common cravings are:

Peanut ButterThis is definitely among the top ten, and it’s not at all surprising. Peanut butter is a rich source of B vitamins. If you find yourself dipping into the jar often, it might be because you’re under stress and your ordinary B intake has become insufficient. Since 50 g. of peanut butter — a third of a cup — is 284 calories, you’ll find it easier on your waistline to take a B-complex supplement if you do not want to gain weight. Read the rest of this entry »

Special Situation Supplements

Your body’s vitamin needs are not always the same and special situations require special foods regimens and supplements. What follows is a list of such situations, most of them temporary, with supplement suggestions. For foods that offer specific vitamins and minerals see Chapters IV and V. Once again, this information is not prescriptive [See pages 119 for nsp.]

Acne

This scourge of teenage years has been treated in a variety of ways, from X-rays to tetracycline, with only varying degrees of success. I encourage more natural treatment of the condition, and have been delighted by the results.

Multiple vitamin with minerals but low in iodine, 1 daily Vitamin E, 400 IU [dry form], 1-2 daily Read the rest of this entry »

Mindell Dieting Tips

Before starting any diet, check with your physician. If you don’t feel that your family doctor understands your dieting needs, contact a bariatrician, who specialises in the field.

If you’re on a low- or no-carbohydrate diet, beware of artificially sweetened “sugarless” or “dietetic” gum or candy that has sorbitols, mannitols, or hexitols. These ingredients are metabolised in the system as carbohydrates, only more slowly.

If you’re on a diet that allows alcohol, a glass of wine before dinner stimulates the gastric juices and aids in proper digestion.

Watch out for such diet fallacies as:

Gelatin dessert is nonfattening.

Grapefruit causes you to lose weight.

Fruits have no calories.

High-protein foods have no calories. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamins for Healthy Skin

What you look like on the outside depends a lot on what you do for yourself on the inside. And as far as you skin is concerned, vitamins and proper nutrition are essential.

To look your best, make sure you’re getting 55 to 65 g. of protein a day. Drink eight glasses of water daily [herbal teas can count for a few of them], and keep your milk and yoghurt consumption restricted to the nonfat variety. Keep away from chocolate, nuts, dried fruids, fried foods, cola drinks, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, and excessive salt. Also, do not use sugar. Small amounts of honey or blackstrap molasses will sweeten just as well and you’ll look better for it.

A good start toward healthy, glowing skin is a daily protein drink. It can be taken in place of any meal, but it makes an especially good breakfast. Read the rest of this entry »

• Sweats and flushes can occur from too much vitamin K. Niacin should be used cautiously by anyone with severe diabetes, glaucoma, peptic ulcers, or with impaired liver function.
• Do not give niacin to your dog or cat; it causes flushing and sweating and greatly discomforts the animal. Do not supplement a pet’s diet with vitamins A or D unless your vet specifically advises it.
• Excessive amounts of PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) in certain individuals can have a negative effect on the liver, kidneys, and heart.

• Iron should not be taken by anyone with sickle-cell anaemia, haemochromatosis, or thalassaemia. Read the rest of this entry »