From 1971-1983, Dr. Joel Wallach (originally a veterinarian by trade) conducted a $25 million study on the autopsies of 16,000 animals and humans. Chemical profiles were taken as well. What he learned from this study was that we are comprised of 90 nutrients. 60 minerals, 16 vitamins, 12 amino acids and 2-3 essential fatty acids, to be exact. When any of these nutrients are missing in any volume, a disease process begins. There are approximately 900 different diseases that are directly related to vitamin, mineral, amino acid and essential fatty acid deficiencies. Almost every chronic disease can be traced back to a deficiency.
The first category is minerals. They are considered essential because your body cannot produce them on its own. They are required through diet, supplements and mineralized water. Due to modern agricultural processes, our soils have become depleted of nutrients, making it harder to get enough of them in a standard American diet. One good rule of thumb to go by is "the sweeter the fruit or vegetable, the more minerals it has." This makes it more desirable to the human body and thus, easier to consume.
The next category is vitamins. For the highest nutritional content, go for higher protein and higher healthy fatty foods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Muscle cramps, fatigue, canker sores, insomnia, anemia, weak bones, digestive issues, depression, anxiety, neuropathy are all signs of vitamin deficiencies.
Then we have amino acids. Memory loss, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have been on the rise for the last 50 or so years. That's right around the time that the diet trends took over and people adopted low fat diets. Now we are starting to see just how important these amino acids (and certain fats) are for optimal health.
Last, but certainly not least, we have essential fatty acids. "The liver knows how to produce and create a fat based molecule called cholesterol and the body innately increases that fat based molecule, when the body is not getting sufficient essential fatty acid intake from its diet at other sources." So, cholesterol levels automatically start to decrease when the body is getting enough essential fatty acids from the correct sources. This is wonderful news if your cholesterol is high, you have a course of action!
It's not hard to understand why our diet is so incredibly important. Environmental factors aside, we are directly responsible for our own health. Every nutrient we deprive ourselves of sets us on a course for a disease related to that deficiency. Barbara O'Neill says "most are sick with ignorance." I'd have to agree, and I was one of them. Knowledge is power. You must make your health your priority. And that means learning how and what to eat and the importance of proper exercise. It's quite simple really. The only people making this seem difficult are the companies that profit off of your illness.
Make time for your wellness before you are forced to make time for your illness.
60 Essential Minerals
Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfur, cobalt, copper, aluminum. Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Bromine, Carbon, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Selenium, Zinc, Cerium, Cesium, Chrome, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Gadolinium, Gallium, Germanium, Gold, hafnium, holmium, hydrogen, lanthanum, lithium, Lutetium, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rubidium, Samarium, Scandium, Silica, Silver, Strontium, Tantalum, Terbium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zirconium.
16 Essential Vitamins
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E Vitamin K, Biotin, Choline, Flavonoids and bioflavonoids, Folic acid, Inositol.
12 Essential Amino Acids
Valine, Lysine, Threonine, Leucine, isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Methionine, Histidine, Arginine, Taurine, Tyrosine.
2-3 Essential Fatty Acids
Omega 3 (EPA, DHA, ALA), Omega 6, Omega 9.
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