Vitamins and Antioxidants

By David L. Duffy, MD

In the 18" Century sailors on long voyages would go months without fresh food. Many developed scurvy, the syndrome of Vitamin C deficiency. The symptoms of scurvy include fatigue, depression, bleeding gums, and bleeding into skin and joints. Eating limes and other sources of Vitamin C on the voyage prevented the disease. Nowadays Vitamin C tablets are available.

If we think of the miracle of life, vitamins are very interesting substances. Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamine, is found in yeast, legumes, beef, whole grains, and nuts. It participates in the metabolism of certain amino acids and carbohydrates. Deficiency can cause damage to the peripheral nerves, heart failure, and mental impairment. In the Orient, thiamine deficiency occurred when they began eating polished white rice in which the source of thiamine on the outer surface of the rice was removed.

Some vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin E are antioxidants. A free radical is an atom or atom group carrying an unpaired electron and no charge. Oxygen gas has two oxygen atoms combined into one molecule. They share two electrons. When wood burns oxygen joins with 2 hydrogen atoms to form water. Carbon joins with two oxygen atoms to form carbon dioxide. Fire is an example of an oxidation process.

Our bodies use fatty acids as nutrients and building blocks. Many of the fatty acids are polyunsaturated. That means that they have carbon atoms linked together with a double bond. Free radicals can react with fat and cause deterioration. Oxidation of lipoproteins contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease. As antioxidants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are protective. Vitamin C works by donating electrons to quench reactive free radicals. Vitamin E consists of unsaturated side chains. Vitamin E absorbs the impact of the free radical and thus protects the polyunsaturated fats.

Today we hear much advertising about the need for supplemental vitamins and antioxidants. The idea is that food does not give us enough vitamins and we need supplements as insurance for our health. Also we should protect our heart and blood vessels by taking plenty of antioxidants.

How would Arnold Ehret address this issue?

First, it does not make sense to eat highly processed foods that have removed fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. Overeating processed foods artificially creates a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin depleted, over‑processed foods are mucus producing and add to the accumulation of waste in the body.

Second, the best source of vitamins and antioxidants is fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and perhaps a small amount of dairy and meat,

Third, overloading the body with supplementary vitamins and antioxidants puts a burden on the body to eliminate what is not needed. It also fosters a dependency on the supplement and may blunt the body's capacity to absorb vitamins from food.

Fourth, when we apply Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System and eliminate waste our bodies approach their ideal metabolism. The body is then able to choose the food elements it needs to stay healthy.

Fifth, the recommended daily requirements of vitamins given by the government are based on the study of "normal" people with latent disease. What were the minimal daily requirements for Arnold Ehret after he had cleansed his body? There is a need to study the food requirements of people who are following Ehret's diet.

In the meantime, should you take supplemental vitamins and antioxidants or not? This is really an individual decision.

A person who regularly drinks alcohol would benefit from supplementary thiamine. When he stops drinking and has restored his body supply of thiamine he may move to whole grains as his source. Vitamins may be on important part of a transition diet. A person who follows a vegetarian diet may need supplemental vitamin B12. A person with an intestinal disorder may need a vitamin supplement to compensate for his impaired absorption.

When we continue to follow Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System we expect to obtain more and more of our vitamins and antioxidants from a wholesome diet and the need for vitamin and antioxidant supplementation should diminish.

Dr. David L. Duffy, MD graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1971. He trained in Internal Medicine and Ambulatory Care at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, from 1971 ‑ 1975. He continued seeing patients and supervising interns and residents at the Montefiore Medic Clinic until 1980. From 1981‑1988 he had a private medical practice in Oceanside, California. In 1988 he returned to New York to work at Metropolitan Hospital Center in Manhattan. From 1996 to 2005 he served as Section Chief of General Internal Medicine. He also served as Chairman of the Patient Education Committee from 1999 to 2005. His medical office is located at 27‑10 30th Avenue, Suite LA, Astoria, NY 11102. Astoria is in a section of Queens County, NY a part of New York City. Dr. Duffy is only available by appointment. Dr. Duffy can be reached by phone at 718‑932‑9870. Dr. Duffy will not be available for phone, fax, mail or e‑mail consultations.

Mucusless Diet Healing System. Mucusless Diet Healing System

Contemporary Insights to Professor Ehret was written as an introduction to to the 75th anniversary edition of Professor Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System. Mucusless Diet Healing System is available from Ehret Literature Publishing for $4.95 (US) online.Click here to purchase the 75th anniversary edition of Professor Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System.