Home Faq Books Products Links Sitemap Contact
 
  Green Energy Transportation Potable Water Natural Health Green Building  
Eco-Nomics ›› Natural Health ›› Disease Prevention ›› Whole Foods Diet ›› Nutrients

Nutrients

Cells in the body do not just grow and remain, as all body cells degenerate, die and must be replaced on a daily basis. The process of building and rebuilding body cells, organs and systems cannot take place without nutrients, and the metabolites our bodies produce as a result of nutrient metabolism. For information on all essential nutrients, choose from the list provided below:

Water | Calories | Fat-Soluble Nutrients | Water-Soluble Nutrients | Probiotics

A Note On Anti-Nutrients

Aside from probiotics, plant foods can provide all the nutrients we need, although most plants also contain anti-nutrients such as oxalic and phytic acids, trypsin and protease inhibitors. Anti-nutrients help to protect growing and mature plants from infections and decay, while preserving nutrients for their dormant offspring (i.e., nuts, seeds, grains and beans) until growing conditions are favorable. Many anti-nutrients are used for medicinal and other purposes but when consumed, anti-nutrients bind nutrients and inhibit nutrient absorption unless neutralized and/or deactivated first:

Oxalic acid is present in nearly all plant foods. It binds with alkaline nutrients, but it can be neutralized with antacids, Vitamin B6 or Vitamin C, it can be decomposed with magnetic and electromagnetic energy, and it can be broken down into carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide by an enzyme in barley root called oxalate oxidase. Nutrient absorption is only inhibited however, if the foods containing oxalic acid are cooked!

Phytic acid and protease inhibitors are commonly found in nuts, seeds, grains, beans and legumes, but such anti-nutrients can be neutralized and deactivated by soaking in water (i.e., germination) and sprouting.

Trypsin inhibitors are found in seeds, beans and legumes, but they can be reduced by 50% via germination and sprouting, and are completely deactivated by fermentation.


* Nutrients cannot provide the health benefits claimed if isolated or imbalanced. To help prevent nutritional imbalances, RDAs should be met but not exceeded (unless for medicinal purposes).
** Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) listed are based on a 2000 calorie diet. To calculate calorie requirements, multiply your current (or desired) weight by 10-20, depending on activity levels. To calculate the RDA for other nutrients based on your current or desired weight, divide the RDA for individual nutrients by 2000 calories, then multiply by the number of calories you need. For example, if your current or desired weight is 120 lbs, you need at least 1200 calories per day, which is about 180 carbohydrates (300g Carbohydrates divided by 2000 calories = 0.15 x 1200 calories = at least 180 Carbohydrates/day @ 120 lbs)
*** All nutrients except water, carbohydrates and minerals are destroyed by temperatures over 118 degrees, and given that animal products must be cooked before consumption, raw plant foods are generally the best natural source of nutrients available (hence, only vegan nutrient sources are included).
Eco-Nomics ©2008 | Copyright & Disclaimer