VITAMINS A, C & E

VITAMINS A, C & E

Are you fighting an infection? Expecting to have the surgical operation? On a detox? Working on an anti-ageing program? Then it will be wise to consider the 3 great anti-inflammatory Vitamins. They are vitamins A, C & E.

By, Nelson Brunton

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is known as Retinol;

1) Retinol is absorbed when eating animal food sources, it is a yellow, fat-soluble substance.

2) Retinal, (vitamin A) is in herbivores and omnivore animals which possess the enzyme required to convert these compounds to retinal.

3)Retinal also has four carotenoids including beta carotene. The carotenes are; alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene; and the xanthophyll beta-cryptoxanthin

Why do we need Vitamin A?

Vitamin A promotes normal growth and health of the bodies cells and keeps skin healthy. There are animal sources (retinol) and vegetable sources (carotenoids) of vitamin A in foods as well. However, only a few of the carotenoids in foods are converted to vitamin A in the body.

Beta-carotene is the most familiar carotenoid, it, like several other carotenoids, acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help slow or prevent cell damage. By protecting cells

from damage, antioxidants may reduce the risk for certain cancers and heart disease.

What are the signs of deficiency of Vitamin A?

Inadequate intake of vitamin A can cause night blindness, dry, scaly skin, increased risk for infections, and poor growth.

How much vitamin A do we need?

The recommended intake of vitamin A is given as "Retinol Activity Equivalents" (RAEs). Using RAEs helps account for the difference in activity between carotenoids and retinol. It takes about 12 units of beta-carotene or 24 units of other carotenoids to make 1 unit of retinol in the body.

How can we get enough vitamin A?

We get vitamin A from eating a variety of fruits and vegetables that contain carotenoids, and from dairy products fortified with vitamin A. Vitamin A is also found in liver and egg yolks. Here are some foods and the amount of vitamin A they contain;

l       Some Food containing Vitamin A (RAE*) *Retinol Activity Equivalents

l       Sweet potato, cooked, 1 medium 1400

l       Carrot, raw, 1 medium 600

l       Pumpkin, cooked, ½ cup 305

l       Cantaloupe, cubed, 1cup 270

l       Milk, low fat, with vitamin A, 1 cup 140

l       Broccoli, pieces, cooked,1 cup 120

l       Apricots, 3 medium 105

l       Egg, cooked, 1 large 85

l       Cheese, Cheddar, 1 ounce 75

What about supplements?

We don't need supplements, since vitamin A is so widely available in foods, and is easily stored in the body, pregnant women especially should avoid taking retinol supplements. High doses during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Look for beta-carotene as the only vitamin A source in prenatal supplements.

How much is too much?

Taking large doses of retinol can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and dry scaly skin. More severe health problems from storing excess vitamin A in the body are liver damage, osteoporosis, and nervous system disorders. Vitamin A toxicity can kill you! Keep your total vitamin A intake less than 3,000 µg per day from retinol.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has a wide variety of uses in the body. It helps slow down or prevent cell damage, it is needed to maintain healthy body tissues and the immune system. Vitamin C also helps our bodies absorb iron from plant foods.

Vitamin C or L- ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is not a complete Vitamin C. In nature Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species and comes in a package of Factors J, K, P and Copper. In living organisms, ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress. It is also a cofactor in at least eight enzymatic reactions including several collagen synthesis reactions that cause the most severe symptoms of scurvy when they are dysfunctional. In animals, these reactions are especially important in wound-healing and in preventing bleeding from capillaries.

What happens if we don’t get enough vitamin C?

Scurvy is an avitaminosis resulting from lack of vitamin C, since, without this vitamin, the synthesised collagen is too unstable to perform its function. Scurvy leads to the formation of brown spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes. The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs, and a person with the ailment looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilised. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth, eventually resulting in death. The human body can store only a certain amount of vitamin C, and so the body stores are depleted if fresh supplies are not consumed. The time frame for onset of symptoms of scurvy in unstressed adults switched to a complete vitamin C free diet may range from one month to more than six months, depending on the previous loading of vitamin C

Vitamin C is found in many foods we eat and deficiency is rare. Scurvy, the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, was common generations ago. Sailors who lived at sea for months at a time and ate no fresh fruits or vegetables often suffered from it.

How can we get enough vitamin C?

The best way to get enough vitamin C is through foods rather than supplements. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources. Rich sources of this vitamin include citrus fruits and citrus fruit juices, sweet peppers, papayas, and strawberries.

Some Food Sources of Vitamin C.(mg/serving)

l       Papaya, 1 medium 300

l       Potato, baked, 1 medium 200

l       Strawberries, halved, 1 cup 165

l       Cantaloupe, ¼ medium

l       Melon 140

l       Orange, 1 medium 130

l       Red or yellow sweet pepper, raw, medium 120

l       Broccoli, cooked, ½ cup 90

l       Cabbage, raw ½ cup 35 mg = milligrams of vitamin C,

What about fortified foods?

Some juices and cereals have vitamin C added. The amount of vitamin C in each product varies. Check the nutrition label to see how much vitamin C the product contributes to your daily need.

How should foods be prepared to retain vitamin C?

Vitamin C is easily destroyed during preparation, cooking, or storage. To retain vitamin C in foods, follow these tips:

l       Eat raw fruits and vegetables as soon as possible after buying them.

l       Cut vegetables just before eating or cooking.

l       Cook vitamin C-rich foods quickly in as little water as possible.

l       Microwave, steam, or stir-fry vegetables to retain the most vitamin C

l       DO NOT OVERCOOK.

What about supplements?

Healthy individuals who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rarely need vitamin C

supplements. On the contrary to popular opinion, taking vitamin C supplements does not

prevent colds. However, some studies show that vitamin C supplements may decrease

the duration of a cold.

How much is too much?

If you do take a supplement, do not get more than 2000 mg/day of vitamin C from foods and supplements. Although excess vitamin C is mostly eliminated in the urine, high doses can cause headaches, frequent urination, diarrhoea, and nausea. People with a history of kidney stones should avoid high levels of vitamin C.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is used to refer to a group of fat-soluble compounds that include both tocopherols and tocotrienols. There are many different forms of vitamin E, of which y-tocopherol is the most common in the North American diet. Y-tocopherol can be found in corn oil, soybean oil, margarine and dressings. A-tocopherol, the most biologically active form of vitamin E, is the second most common form of vitamin E in the North American diet. This variant of vitamin E can be found most abundantly in wheat germ oil, sunflower, and safflower oils. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant that stops the production of reactive oxygen species formed when fat undergoes oxidation.

Why do we need vitamin E?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are substances that can damage the body’s cells. However, free radicals may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Vitamin E deficiency causes neurological problems due to poor nerve conduction. These include neuromuscular problems such as spinocerebellar ataxia and myopathies. Deficiency can also cause anemia, due to oxidative damage to red blood cells.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare and is almost never caused by a poor diet. Instead, there are three specific situations when a vitamin E deficiency is likely to occur. It is seen in persons who cannot absorb dietary fat, has been found in premature, very low birth weight infants (birth weights less than 1500 grams or 3.5 pounds), and is seen in individuals with rare disorders of fat metabolism. People who don’t get enough vitamin E may have higher risks for heart disease and cancer.

How much vitamin E do we need?

In food, vitamin E is found in many forms. The form that is most usable in our bodies is called alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E often is measured as milligrams (mg) of alpha-tocopherol. It also can be measured as International Units (IU). Supplements usually show vitamin E content as IU.

 

How can we get enough vitamin E?

Vegetable oils, salad dressings, and margarine are the richest dietary sources of vitamin E. Other good sources are nuts and green leafy vegetables. Fortified cereals also are good sources of vitamin E.

 Some foods and the amount of vitamin E they contain:

l       Cereal, fortified, 1 cup 20-40 30-60

l       Sunflower seeds, dry, 1 oz 14 22

l       Almonds, dry roasted, 1 oz 8 11

l       Wheat germ, ¼ cup 3 4

l       Peanut butter, 2 Tbsp 3 4

l       Vegetable oil, 1 Tbsp 3 4

l       Mango, raw, 1 2 3

l       Mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp 2 3

l       Broccoli, frozen, cooked, ½ cup 2 3,

l       Turnip greens, frozen, cooked ½ cup 1 2 mg = milligrams IU = International Units oz = ounces Tbsp = tablespoons

What about supplements?

Foods can supply the recommended amount of vitamin E for good health. Many people choose to take a vitamin E supplement. Recent studies do not support the use of vitamin E supplements for prevention of heart disease.

Before deciding to take a supplement, talk with your doctor. He/she can tell you how much to take and if there may be interactions with other drugs or supplements that you take. For example, vitamin E  supplements can be harmful if you take blood-thinning drugs like warfarin (Coumadin“), or aspirin.

How much is too much?

You should not get more than 1000 mg (1500 IU) of alpha-tocopherol per day from supplements. Doses above this amount increase the risk of bleeding problems. When bleeding occurs in the brain it can cause a hemorrhagic stroke.

Nelson Brunton

naturalhealingcentre@gmail.com

Water...Meaning of Life

Water...the meaning of Life. 

Compiled by Nelson Brunton 

When we are Born our body is approximately 75-80% water. By the time we reach adulthood we loose approximately 10% of our body’s fluids, and by the time we enter old age, we have lost about 30% of our body  fluid.  A fruit plucked from the tree is fresh and juicy, filled with collagen. This same fruit in time gets, wrinkled as it looses it collagen. The same reason, why we get stiff, wrinkled and suffer pains in the body as we get more and more dehydrated and into an acid state. 

Water is highly involved in the functioning of your body as it carries nutrients to cells, allows for proper digestion, and flushes toxins from our major organs. So by replenishing the loss of water in your body, results in better functioning. 

Drinking clean, healthy unadulterated water is extremely important for our health. The cleaner and unadulterated the water is, the better hydrated and healthier we will be. The sad  truth of the matter is that man has interfered with this gift of nature by adding chemicals to it, and lying about it's health benefits after being tampered with. If this is the truth, then why is the Bottled water industry flourishing? Why is everyone walking about with a canteen of water, instead of drinking tap water as we did in the past? 

Viktor Schauberger (1885-1958) made an extraordinary contribution to knowledge of the natural world. He comprehended what we now recognize as the quantum or subtle energy effects of water. His understanding was built up from shamanic and experiential observation of Nature in the untamed Alpine wilderness. His motto: "Observe and Copy Nature". At this time he predicted that if we continue as we are, in time we will be paying more for drinking water than we pay to fuel our cars. Who would have believed it? 

Thanks to the experts, as a consequence of their continued intervention and insults to Mother Nature, we have polluted the water ways, Ocean and rivers. What a dreaded state to be in, all in the name of progress and professional advice by WHO, U.N, big Phama’s, World Banks, and now new on the horizon, Codex Alimentarius, who are adding pain to injury. 

Another fact to consider is that as we age we lose bicarbonate. A noticeable decline begins at the age of 45, and by age 90, we lost 18% of  bicarbonate in our blood. Bicarbonates are the alkaline buffers that neutralize the acidic waste in the body. A reduction of bicarbonate triggers the onset of acid-induced adult degenerative diseases, but by adding bicarbonates to the blood, we can delay the ageing process and prevent age-related diseases. E.g. Arthritis, change in Blood pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, Heart problems, Kidney malfunctions and Stones, Low energy, Mal-absorption, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, and many other related problems.  

All foods that produce acid in the body are foods that are not good for the individuals metabolism. In order to maintain a constant Blood Ph, the body will call upon the reserve calcium in the bones and teeth to buffer up the Ph 7.35 to 7.45. The real reason for stone formation in the Kidneys, Gall bladder and the decline in calcium, reserves in bones and teeth, causing brittle bone syndrome and osteoporosis. [Line Break]The other reason for disease and aging come from all the food we eat, this gives us energy through the process of oxidizing; and then afterwards, they become acidic waste. Since our body naturally does not get rid of all the waste produced, it accumulates in various parts in the body. This accumulation of non-disposed, acidic waste is the real cause of disease, distress and ageing. Some example 

Drinks that are full of sugar, or that are fizzy create a lot of acid and fermentation in the body. According to Dr J. H. KELLOGG, M. D. AcidDyspepsia. — Acidity or sour stomach, is a very common result of the use of sugar in its ordinary form, or in the form of candy and sweetmeats etc. Under the action of certain germs, sugar is converted first into alcohol and carbonic acid gas, and later, the alcohol is decomposed into acetic acid and water or vinegar. It is in this way that vinegar is made from cider, wine, and other sweet liquids. When taken into the stomach, sugar undergoes this same change. The first symptoms of this form of fermentation in the stomach are eructation's of gas and distension, this is due to the alcoholic fermentation. Sometimes months or years may elapse without the appearance of other symptoms, but sooner or later the stomach will become sufficiently disabled from frequent distension and the overstretching of its muscles to prevent the prompt discharge of its contents, and the longer retention of the food substances within the stomach will give opportunity for the acetous or acid-forming and fermentation. The symptoms of this are soreness and burning at the pit of the stomach and sometimes vomiting or regurgitation of sour liquids. 

According to Dr Leigh Connealy, Sugar in the body feeds cancer cells by causing fermentation. Fermentation is due to a lack of Oxygen, and cancer is an ‘Anaerobic’ process. Fizzy drinks and artificial sugar and sweeteners are believed to be the cause of about 95% of cancers. Exercise is an ‘Aerobic’ process and the increased intake of Oxygen will reduce cancer by 50%. 

A simple way to Alkalize can be achieved by adding a teaspoon of Sodium Bicarbonate to a glass of water and drink daily. You can also add the juice of half a fresh Lemon and 1 teaspoon of rock or sea salt which will make the drink more potent. But this is only by choice and personal taste. This mix will assist you in the burning of fat in the body and calm aches and pains in the joints. 

Before you go on criticizing the use of salt just think, our body needs salt to make blood. Table salt is the domestic poison, rock and sea salt has thenecessary minerals to feed the tissues of the body and maintain optimum health and loosening of your bowels.[Line Break] In Japan they drink a lot of Kangen 

Seawater is primarily composed of the following salt ions and is listed in order of descending abundance by weight: 

Chloride (Cl-) 55.03%, Sodium (Na+) 30.59%, Sulfate (SO42-) 7.68%,Magnesium (Mg2+) 3.68%, Calcium (Ca2+) 1.18%,Potassium (K+) 1.11% , Bicarbonate (HCO3) 0.41%, Bromide (Br-)0.19%, Borate (BO33-) 0.08%, Strontium (Sr2+)0.04%. 

Although the salinity of sea water varies worldwide, the relative proportions of its constituent ions remain constant, however, this does not mean that the same is true for salt of marine origin. 

Is drinking water good for weight loss? 

There are a lot of claims and studies out there about how drinking water will help you lose weight. The simple truth about this statement is that if you are drinking water, you aren’t drinking higher calorie sodas and beverages that contribute to your weight. Substituting high calorie drinks with water will reduce the amount of calories and sugar you take in throughout the day. The more you drink, the more you will urinate, and every time you empty your bladder, you are loosing essential minerals. It is the lack of minerals that weaken and age the body. A lot of the symptoms we suffer is due to the lack of minerals. Here is a lesson, to control the amount of fluids we consume, and the amount of vital fluids we loose. 

The Power of Words Over Water 

Can water be affected by our words? Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese scientist, believes so. And he has proof... 

Dr. Emoto took water droplets, exposed them to various words, music, and environments, and then froze them for three hours. He then examined the crystal formations under a dark field microscope as well as taking photographs. The results were totally mind-blowing. 

Dr. Emoto and his team study water from different sources of the world including water that was effected by music, image, television, thoughts of a single person and a group of people, prayers and words typed or pronounced in different languages etc. Emoto discovered that there was a significant difference between crystals that listened to Beethoven and heavy-metal. Words "angel" and "devil" form structures that are similar and completely opposite at the same time. 

Another belief is that water has memory, and it never forgets, since your body is approximately 70-80% water, be mindful of the  memory you carry.

naturalhealingcentre@gmail.com

Your Liver

The Liver is the largest Organ in the body. You can cut half of the liver away and it has the power to regenerate. The liver is your life-giver. The quality of life is dependent on the quality of the liver. The muscles, tendons, eyes and your strength are controlled and fed by the liver. Remember the Heart is a muscle. 
According to Tao, it is believed that the female reproductive organ is controlled by the Liver and all the diseases of the female parts are treated taking consideration of this organ.
Blood pressure, Cortisol, insulin, and fats are all under the influence of the liver. There is a balancing act between Cortisol and DHEA.( Dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone (made in the human body) secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as the precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) when Cortisol levels go up DHEA levels come down, and when DHEA levels go up Cortisol levels come down. Raised Cortisol will lead to raised blood sugar, which will bring about, raise Insulin resistance, resulting in a metabolic disorder and a build-up of fats in the Liver. The cause of type 2, Diabetes and Obesity.
This organ (Liver) speaks to the thyroid gland and is one of the organs that assist in converting T4 cell to T3. Estrogens and Thyroxin binding Globulins are made by the Liver. Thyroxin Binding Globulins binds to T4 to convert into T3. But High levels of Estrogens, raises the production of Thyroxin Binding Globulins which lowers the numbers of T4 available to converted into T3 causing Hypothyroidism. Which inevitably lead to Diabetes and Obesity.
The Liver also acts like a warehouse and stores the nutrients to be released into the body as needed, Similar to the fuel tank in you car. The faster you drive the car the more fuel you use up, hence those who live on the fast track inevitably have a shorter life span. On this note is is wise to be aware the more you eat the lazier you get and this can lead to a diseased state of body and mind. 
Now if your car demanded more fuel and you got less MPG, then you will soon have it seen to, in the same way, we should consider the body. There is no excuse to be made, saying, 'he is a growing lad and needs more food'. If you are putting on Fat as a result then you can be sure you are not burning off your calories. In put should match output.
In the East we believe, The Liver is the seat of the Soul and Love is stored in the Liver, which is expressed by the Heart. We say in the East,' I love you with my Heart and Liver' In the West we have a similar saying,' I love you with my Heart and my Soul'.
In the scriptures, it is said the Spirit flows in the Blood, and we know Blood feeds the Liver. The purer the blood, the better quality Liver we will have. Before you can Love any other, you must learn to Love you Liver.
In the process of digestion, the Liver drains the bile into the Gall Bladder. Regular draining of the Liver causes Harmony within, but if the Gall Bladder does not empty then this can bring about Anger. The Taoist say,' Anger destroys the Liver, in the West we say, 'Anger destroys the Soul'. If a person has no regards for their Liver, be aware they can never truly Love you, no matter what sweet words they used to seduce you.
It is important to know, there is no free meal where drugs are concerned. All drugs and pharmaceuticals make their way to the Liver. It can be stored here and do optimum damage to the organ and its function. Contaminated foods, smoking, excess alcohol, parasites, viruses, worms, and household chemicals, including cosmetic, harm the Liver one way or another.
To improve the quality of the Liver it is wise to detoxify and cleanse the Organ. I recommend, 'Herbal Liver Mix' that will assist the liver to function better and it will also help to get rid of the Liver Fluke, which is very easy to acquire and very hard to get rid of. The Liver Fluke is believed to cause many unnecessary problems, bringing about a diseased state in the body and mind. The Liver goes out of its way to nourish and protect you. 'Greater Love, no man will ever have'. Now, do you Love your Liver?
Nelson Brunton

naturalhealingcentre@gmail.com.