Post by CIVILISON on Nov 1, 2004 16:10:11 GMT -5
Peace,
It is my intention to disseminate my written documentations based upon my research and empirical experience in respect to the most commonly discussed principles of Nutrition and their relation to a meat-free diet. These include: Calcium, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats and Bioenergetic Foods. I will post these periodically as I have to start and write them out from scratch. My first document will concentrate upon the notorious, bone-building mineral - calcium.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and it relegated as the essential bone building mineral. A less known act is that among with potassium and magnesium, calcium is an electrolytic mineral. An electrolyte is a mineral which conducts electric impulses and nerve transmissions, maintains pH levels and controls fluid balance. Calcium’s prime functions in the body, with the inclusion of its electrolytic functions include bone and teeth formation, heartbeat regulation, muscle contraction and blood clotting. Deficiency symptoms usually include: heart palpitations, osteoporosis, muscle cramps and tooth decay. The recommended daily intake is from 1000-1200 milligrams on a daily basis.
When we think of calcium, we automatically think of milk. Same is true of the reverse (milk automatically implies calcium). I believe that we have been enforced and conditioned to this way of thinking as the milk is a multi-million dollar industry! First, let’s elucidate the fact that milk is abundant in calcium because cattle develop their bone structure first and require this bone building mineral in great quantities. Thus, nature provided cows with the means to produce this mineral in such quantities to nourish its offspring. Human milk is rich in phosphorus and the amino acid taurine because human babies develop their brains first.
A glass of milk contains approximately 300mg of calcium. Thus, we are told to drink three glasses of milk on a daily basis to satisfy our body’s calcium requirements. Under this pretext, the dairy industry makes tremendous amount of money at the expense of our health. While it is true that milk contains 300mg of calcium per glass, we must deliberate upon the fact that this milk is heavily harmonized, pesticided, over-medicated with anti-biotics, contaminated and most importantly pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process in which a substance (milk) is heated in order to rid the substance of harmful bacteria. And, while on one side, this is beneficial, on the other hand, it is just as harmful.
To understand that milk is truly a poor source of calcium, we must first understand what heat above 120 degrees F. does to the chemical composition of a substance (calcium in this case). In chemistry, we have organic and inorganic compounds. Organic compounds are compounds which are bonded by carbon particles. Correspondingly, inorganic compounds are lacking the carbon particles. Inorganic substances are not living. Now, the human body does not assimilate minerals which are inorganic. It needs organic, carbon based, minerals. Heat in pasteurization renders the calcium mostly inorganic. Thus the calcium is in an inferior state! It is estimated that baby cows would die within 6 weeks if they would be fed pasteurized milk. So, up to this point, we have established that this inorganic form of calcium from commercial milk is no good because the body cannot assimilate it. In addition to this, it is important to note that the calcium assimilating enzyme in milk, phosphatase, is destroyed. This mineral, according to the dictionary, is imperative in the calcification of human bones. In addition to the above, milk is poor in the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is also crucial in the absorption of calcium within the body. It has been estimated that it might be more potent then Vitamin D when it comes to calcium absorption.
What then happens to all this calcium if it is not absorbed in the body? It is deposited onto body tissues and contributes to kidney stones, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries and arthritis). It is noteworthy to mention that America has the highest calcium consumption and yet the highest rates of osteoporosis, a bone disease that is supposed to be prevented by milk consumption (calcium consumption). Ho contradictory is that!? This is due to the improper assimilation of calcium and its inorganic state.
Why is it not commercialized that unhulled sesame seeds contain almost twice the amount of calcium as found in milk? Sesame seeds contain over 1100mg of calcium per 100g. A pint of milk has about 590mg of calcium. In addition to calcium, sesame seeds are rich in lecithin, essential fatty acids and protein. It might be true that the calcium in sesame seeds is bound by oxalates, which would make half of it bio-available. Even with this in mind, sesame seeds are still a superior source of calcium. Bear in mind that sesame seeds are an extraordinary source of magnesium, the mineral that is needed for the proper assimilation of calcium.
Almonds are another rich source of calcium. They also contain large amount of magnesium as well as contain significant amounts of Vitamin E and the essential monounsaturated fatty acid.
Spinach, lettuce and green leafy vegetables are potent sources of calcium. These are also rich in Vitamin A & C, chlorophyll and folic acid.
Figs, carrots, watermelon and oranges also contain high amounts of calcium. In addition, the superfood spirulina is also a rich source of calcium.
Plant sources of calcium are superior to dairy products as they are organic and usually come with magnesium. A person that abstains from dairy products can amply meet his/her calcium requirements if he/she eats the above foods. One who lives mostly on raw fruits and vegetables, i.e. Vegans, Raw-Foodists, Fruitarians, and supplements with superfoods (spirulina, bee pollen, celtic salt, chlorella) should never develop a bone disease.
Statistically, the average measurable bone loss of female meat-eaters at age 65 is 35%. On the other hand, the average measurable bone loss of female vegetarians at age 65 is only 18%. Vegans have probably even lower rates of bone loss. Osteoporosis is due to calcium loss and not a lack of calcium intake. The meat eater’s body is so acidic that the body must steal alkaline minerals such as calcium to counteract the overwhelming acidity. Thus, bone loss is more prevalent and osteoporosis and tooth decay manifests.
It is thus evident that our milk and dairy centered society is led astray by the governmental nutritional authorities and manipulatively induced to believe that milk and its inorganic and magnesium and phospatase enzyme-less contribute to strong bones. I do not emphatically condemn the consumption of milk. It is only the commercial, pasteurized milk that I am against. Raw, organic milk can have some benefits, and I do not overlook them. However, why do we need to resort to milk consumption and put the animals in such great misery if we have easily accessible and highly assimilable sources of calcium (sesame seeds, almonds, green vegetables and some fruits)? Can we not see that humans are not supposed to drink milk? Statistically, Americans have the highest rate of milk and calcium supplement consumption and yet have the highest rate of osteoporosis. Let’s open our eyes a bit and not overlook the superior sources of vitamins, minerals and various nutrients provided by our beautiful vegetal kingdom.
To epitomize, I sign off with the following quote:
"In the beginning, God gave to all, the fruits of the trees, and the seeds, and the herbs, for food; but those who loved themselves more than God or their fellows, corrupted their ways, and brought diseases into their bodies, and filled the earth with lust and violence."
-- Jesus in the Essene New Testament
In Peace,
I-Son
It is my intention to disseminate my written documentations based upon my research and empirical experience in respect to the most commonly discussed principles of Nutrition and their relation to a meat-free diet. These include: Calcium, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats and Bioenergetic Foods. I will post these periodically as I have to start and write them out from scratch. My first document will concentrate upon the notorious, bone-building mineral - calcium.
CALCIUM
About The Mineral:
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and it relegated as the essential bone building mineral. A less known act is that among with potassium and magnesium, calcium is an electrolytic mineral. An electrolyte is a mineral which conducts electric impulses and nerve transmissions, maintains pH levels and controls fluid balance. Calcium’s prime functions in the body, with the inclusion of its electrolytic functions include bone and teeth formation, heartbeat regulation, muscle contraction and blood clotting. Deficiency symptoms usually include: heart palpitations, osteoporosis, muscle cramps and tooth decay. The recommended daily intake is from 1000-1200 milligrams on a daily basis.
Calcium & Milk – The Great Myth:
When we think of calcium, we automatically think of milk. Same is true of the reverse (milk automatically implies calcium). I believe that we have been enforced and conditioned to this way of thinking as the milk is a multi-million dollar industry! First, let’s elucidate the fact that milk is abundant in calcium because cattle develop their bone structure first and require this bone building mineral in great quantities. Thus, nature provided cows with the means to produce this mineral in such quantities to nourish its offspring. Human milk is rich in phosphorus and the amino acid taurine because human babies develop their brains first.
A glass of milk contains approximately 300mg of calcium. Thus, we are told to drink three glasses of milk on a daily basis to satisfy our body’s calcium requirements. Under this pretext, the dairy industry makes tremendous amount of money at the expense of our health. While it is true that milk contains 300mg of calcium per glass, we must deliberate upon the fact that this milk is heavily harmonized, pesticided, over-medicated with anti-biotics, contaminated and most importantly pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process in which a substance (milk) is heated in order to rid the substance of harmful bacteria. And, while on one side, this is beneficial, on the other hand, it is just as harmful.
To understand that milk is truly a poor source of calcium, we must first understand what heat above 120 degrees F. does to the chemical composition of a substance (calcium in this case). In chemistry, we have organic and inorganic compounds. Organic compounds are compounds which are bonded by carbon particles. Correspondingly, inorganic compounds are lacking the carbon particles. Inorganic substances are not living. Now, the human body does not assimilate minerals which are inorganic. It needs organic, carbon based, minerals. Heat in pasteurization renders the calcium mostly inorganic. Thus the calcium is in an inferior state! It is estimated that baby cows would die within 6 weeks if they would be fed pasteurized milk. So, up to this point, we have established that this inorganic form of calcium from commercial milk is no good because the body cannot assimilate it. In addition to this, it is important to note that the calcium assimilating enzyme in milk, phosphatase, is destroyed. This mineral, according to the dictionary, is imperative in the calcification of human bones. In addition to the above, milk is poor in the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is also crucial in the absorption of calcium within the body. It has been estimated that it might be more potent then Vitamin D when it comes to calcium absorption.
What then happens to all this calcium if it is not absorbed in the body? It is deposited onto body tissues and contributes to kidney stones, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries and arthritis). It is noteworthy to mention that America has the highest calcium consumption and yet the highest rates of osteoporosis, a bone disease that is supposed to be prevented by milk consumption (calcium consumption). Ho contradictory is that!? This is due to the improper assimilation of calcium and its inorganic state.
Calcium From Plant Sources:
Why is it not commercialized that unhulled sesame seeds contain almost twice the amount of calcium as found in milk? Sesame seeds contain over 1100mg of calcium per 100g. A pint of milk has about 590mg of calcium. In addition to calcium, sesame seeds are rich in lecithin, essential fatty acids and protein. It might be true that the calcium in sesame seeds is bound by oxalates, which would make half of it bio-available. Even with this in mind, sesame seeds are still a superior source of calcium. Bear in mind that sesame seeds are an extraordinary source of magnesium, the mineral that is needed for the proper assimilation of calcium.
Almonds are another rich source of calcium. They also contain large amount of magnesium as well as contain significant amounts of Vitamin E and the essential monounsaturated fatty acid.
Spinach, lettuce and green leafy vegetables are potent sources of calcium. These are also rich in Vitamin A & C, chlorophyll and folic acid.
Figs, carrots, watermelon and oranges also contain high amounts of calcium. In addition, the superfood spirulina is also a rich source of calcium.
Plant sources of calcium are superior to dairy products as they are organic and usually come with magnesium. A person that abstains from dairy products can amply meet his/her calcium requirements if he/she eats the above foods. One who lives mostly on raw fruits and vegetables, i.e. Vegans, Raw-Foodists, Fruitarians, and supplements with superfoods (spirulina, bee pollen, celtic salt, chlorella) should never develop a bone disease.
Statistically, the average measurable bone loss of female meat-eaters at age 65 is 35%. On the other hand, the average measurable bone loss of female vegetarians at age 65 is only 18%. Vegans have probably even lower rates of bone loss. Osteoporosis is due to calcium loss and not a lack of calcium intake. The meat eater’s body is so acidic that the body must steal alkaline minerals such as calcium to counteract the overwhelming acidity. Thus, bone loss is more prevalent and osteoporosis and tooth decay manifests.
Conclusion:
It is thus evident that our milk and dairy centered society is led astray by the governmental nutritional authorities and manipulatively induced to believe that milk and its inorganic and magnesium and phospatase enzyme-less contribute to strong bones. I do not emphatically condemn the consumption of milk. It is only the commercial, pasteurized milk that I am against. Raw, organic milk can have some benefits, and I do not overlook them. However, why do we need to resort to milk consumption and put the animals in such great misery if we have easily accessible and highly assimilable sources of calcium (sesame seeds, almonds, green vegetables and some fruits)? Can we not see that humans are not supposed to drink milk? Statistically, Americans have the highest rate of milk and calcium supplement consumption and yet have the highest rate of osteoporosis. Let’s open our eyes a bit and not overlook the superior sources of vitamins, minerals and various nutrients provided by our beautiful vegetal kingdom.
To epitomize, I sign off with the following quote:
"In the beginning, God gave to all, the fruits of the trees, and the seeds, and the herbs, for food; but those who loved themselves more than God or their fellows, corrupted their ways, and brought diseases into their bodies, and filled the earth with lust and violence."
-- Jesus in the Essene New Testament
In Peace,
I-Son
