We were created in the Divine image of God, formed to be a perfect organism, beautiful and complex, like all organisms- operating on a System of Balance and Order. When we are balanced, both organically and spiritually, our bodies experience harmony and perfect health. When we were giving life here on this planet, in this human vessel, our Heavenly Father provided everything we would need to sustain life and bear fruit. All people, no matter what their faith spiritually, can attest to the fact that the body functions at its best when given natural wholesome foods.
A good way to understand the human body is to see it as a biological factory, with millions of working machines. Not only do these machines need fuel to operate efficiently, they are interdependent and need to be balanced as a single unit in order to promote optimum health and wellness. To ensure the best operation of our biological machines, we must use the most pure, "top grade" fuel, which comes to use from the foods we consume. We must also note that what we breathe in and what we put on our skin also has just as big as an effect on our body as what we eat. Our skin is our largest and most exposed and vulnerable organ. As a rule, if we wouldn't eat it, we shouldn't apply it to our skin to enter our bloodstream and affect our machines.
The focus of this article is nutrition, the fuel our body needs through our consumption. We obtain this fuel in the form of vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates and fats, enzymes and amino acids, and even water, the most important nutrient of all. Water makes up about 70% of our bodies and is needed to sustain all life forms. It is the biological "travel" for all nutrients to the necessary machines, as well as the active transport of wastes. It also acts as the lubricant making the machines run smoothly, and also as an internal temperature regulator- another important factor of homeostasis.
The role of carbohydrates is to supply the machines with energy and it provides the only source of energy for the brain and red blood cells, glucose. Protein is essential to the manufacture of hormones as well as antibodies and organic tissues. Besides meat, there are various sources of complete proteins. Fats are the most potent form of energy available to the body, but should be used in moderation.
Vitamins and minerals, also known as "micronutrients" because they are only needed in small amounts, each play a role as well in maintaining the balance of the machines. A good source of the recommended daily allowances can be found here in the
National Agricultural Library. These essential micronutrients are listed here:
- Vitamin A (retinol)
- Beta-Carotene
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Biotin
- Choline
- Folic Acid
- PABA
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
- Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol)
- Vitamin K
- Omega's
- Boron
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iodine
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
The Amino Acids include:
- L-carnitine
- L-cysteine
- L-lysine
- L-tyrosine
- Taurine
Additional supplements and herbs will be covered as well in future writings.
Sources and additional information:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5th Edition
http://herballegacy.com/
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-reference-intakes/dri-tables
