Hildreth on Health: Do we need vitamin supplements?

The last two articles have been made up of discussing the complicated chemical makeup of fats, the synchronized utilization of fats and the quality of fats available to us as foods.

As you may remember, fats spoil very easily and come in different forms.

This makes them metabolically important to us but they also have the potential of being very dangerous to us.

This week, we will start by discussing the body’s challenge of handling the overwhelming intake of carbohydrates and its relationship to the tremendous increasing amount of diabetes.

If we live as we are, by the next generation, half or more of the U.S. population will suffer from diabetes, including our children.

Then, we will finish off by discussing do we need vitamins and minerals and, if so, why?

The epidemic of diabetes in our country is not surprising once you examine the facts about refining grains, starches and sweets that make up a large percent of our diet.

The bulk is made up of simple sugars that are absorbed quickly and rapidly released into the blood stream, sending the blood sugar through the rough.

This throws a tremendous repeated stress upon the pancreas, the adrenal glands and the thyroid.

A constant or repeated high blood sugar is deadly to the inner lining of all of our arteries, invites all kinds of bacteria and fungus such as Candida albicans, and affects the nervous system.

The pancreas is constantly by way of insulin trying to maintain a blood sugar of someplace between 80-100 mg.

The adrenals (the glands of fight or flight) are constantly trying to cope with the cellular oxidation and destruction by the foreign invaders, and the thyroid is attempting to maintain a metabolic balance caused by the highs and lows that are created by the constant hyper and then the hypo of the blood sugar influx by influx of assimilated glucose.

The stage is set

If you think this metabolic stress is not real, just remember back what the school classes were like the day or two after the overload of Halloween candy and why many of the kids are constantly craving something sweet.

The stage is being set for vague headaches, fatigue, mental confusion and hyperactivity, weight gain, and the beginning of a ramification of chronic disease processes.

Of course, the pharmaceutical companies don’t mind this.

By our age, about 75 percent of us are on from three to six prescription drugs a day and this is beginning to start in the teenage population also. Some of you might remember that the deaths from diabetes dropped more than half in Great Britain during and after World War II because of diet changes.

If you are wondering who needs nutritional supplements in a society where food is so abundant and expensive, the answer is everyone.

This comes from Dr. Steven Hotze in his book, “Hormones, Health & Happiness.”

The typical American diet is high in calories but low in nutritional quality. Seventy percent of the food we eat is processed meaning that it is stripped of essential fibers and nutrients, chemically altered and loaded with preservatives.

We eat few fresh foods and even fewer foods classified as organic.

Nutritional surveys show that less than a quarter of the Americans eat any vitamin C-rich foods and less than a fifth ate broccoli, cabbage or other cruciferous vegetables.

Those of us who make an effort to consume fresh fruits and vegetables are not reaping the same nutritional benefits our ancestors did.

Modern agricultural methods are depleting the soil of minerals.

Studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies are surprisingly common in this country, even in apparently healthy adults.

Over-the-counter and prescription drugs deplete nutrients.

Synthetic female hormones deplete B6 and folic acid-raising homocysteine levels. Diuretics deplete potassium, magnesium, zinc and B2.

The statins deplete the body’s stores of coenzyme Q10, a compound essential to energy production within the mitochondria of the cells, especially the heart, that which the statins are supposed to protect.

Also, any ongoing chronic disease takes a big toll on nutrient stores.

Any accelerated free radical oxidative activity needs a constant heavy intake of antioxidants on a regular basis along with good nutrients for ongoing tissue repair.

The free radical theory is widely accepted as one explanation of the cause of the degenerative diseases associated with aging.

Vitamin C boosts immune function. Vitamin C is the premier antioxidant in the water portion of your body; that covers a lot of the human body.

All lung and bronchial problems should be on high C. What is high? The only mammals that do not make their own vitamin C are humans, monkeys and guinea pigs.

All other animals make approximately 6,000 mg of C per 150 pounds of body weight.

Dr. Hotze recommends about 6000 mg per day. I have advocated from 3000-6000 mg daily for the past 50 years of practice, double that when ill.

Star antioxidant

Vitamin E is the star antioxidant in the fat portion of the cells of the body.

Vitamin E enhances blood flow, helps prevent blood clots, counters inflammation and protects the endothelium or the inner lining of the arteries.

Coenzyme Q10 is an important function of the mitochondria, the engine in your cells that produces energy.

It is important for the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas.

Selenium cuts cancer risk. Zinc is very important for tissue repair and immune support.

The B complexes are essential for liver support and function. Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium are essential for bone repair and heart regulation.

Balance of potassium and sodium is essential for neurological function of the heart and musculoskeletal system.

None of these supplements are used efficiently without a balanced hormonal system, the key to a well run synchronized cellular metabolism.

Just a few comments on choosing high quality nutritional supplements are in order.

First, read the label and rule out products that contain artificial color and sweeteners as well as wheat, corn, yeast and other allergens.

Vitamin E must be natural. We have always said in regard to vitamin E, the most expensive in the long run is the cheapest. It must be d-alpha tocopherol.

Minerals must be in the chelated form (bound to an amino acid).

All products should be formulated to good manufacturing processes of the National Nutritional Foods Association.

That is assurance that the product meets the highest industry standards for potency and purity.

Make it a good day and a good weekend.

Contact Dr. DeWall J. Hildreth at 625-1101 or cnhcgv@yahoo.com. Dr. Hildreth specializes in hormone balancing and musclo-skeletal degeneration. He practices with Continental Natural Health Clinic at 210 W. Continental Rd., Suite 130. His column appears biweekly in the Green Valley News.