Raw Vitamins

by Jordan Rubin
When food comes to us, it is still in a form that our body cannot use until it goes through the digestive process. Food is made up of large, complex molecules, which the digestive system breaks down into smaller, simple molecules that can be absorbed into the body’s bloodstream for use in the body’s growth, repair, and energy.

One principle for optimal digestive health is that humans must take in food in the form of “organic matter” so that the body is able to digest and assimilate what it takes in. When these kinds of whole foods are ingested, the body coordinates the various steps of digestion so that the process proceeds smoothly and the cells obtain a steady supply of nutrients and energy.

Healthy human intestines contain billions of microorganisms, more than 400 species, both good and bad. The good ones help our digestive systems. Whole, unprocessed foods in their natural state contain essential, synergistic nutrients that foster complete nutrition and offer a way to get those good microorganisms. Please note that whole foods are foods in the form they were designed to be eaten. Whole foods contain all the nutritional factors (vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc.) needed to digest and use that food. So far, more than 25,000 different phytonutrients have been discovered in whole fruits and vegetables. Researchers are now discovering that these chemicals in whole foods work in concert, orchestrating natural harmony in body systems.

Unfortunately, whole foods are not typically what our diets consist of; our diets are full of processed or fast foods—loaded with an unhealthy amount of carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, fats, preservatives, etc. We are putting in what our bodies were not designed for; it is no wonder that our digestive systems are rebelling.

The Modern Diet vs. the Primitive Diet

Our modern diets are nothing like the diets of our ancestors—the primitive diet our bodies crave. We are designed to eat a primitive “whole foods” diet that is low in carbohydrates and contains nutrient-dense foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and essential fats.

By contrast to the modern diet, the primitive diet is moderately low in carbohydrates. The modern diet is rich in calories, depleted of nutrients, and overburdened with unhealthy kinds of fat. It includes an unprecedented amount of carbohydrates, mostly in the form of simple sugars. The modern diet is a recipe for disaster and is the foundation of many modern illnesses, including digestive disorders.

Here is a brief comparison of the modern diet vs. the primitive diet:

* About 70 percent of the calories that the average person eats in modern times come from foods that were unavailable in primitive times. Primitive people did not eat refined sugar, large amounts of cereal grains, or starchy vegetables such as potatoes like we do today.

* The primitive diet comprised 30 to 40 percent protein, 20 to 30 percent carbohydrates, and 30 to 50 percent healthy fat. By comparison, the modern diet comprises roughly 15 percent protein, 50 percent carbohydrates, and 35 percent unhealthy fat.

* The majority of the fat in the primitive diet came from healthy omega-3 fats and saturated fats. Most of the fat in the modern diet comes from omega-6 fats, hydrogenated oils loaded with trans fats, and unhealthy saturated fats.

* Primitive people obtained their carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—not from refined grains. Consequently, the amount of fiber in their diet was considerably higher than the amount in ours.

* No refined food is found in the primitive diet. That means no canned food, pasteurized products, white flour, refined sugar, or hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Here’s the bottom line: The gastrointestinal tract still needs the food it used to eat and digest—the types of foods our ancestors ate. If our ancestors could eat like that, we can, too.

This is another idea to reduce toxins in your home. Since indoor air is generally three times more polluted than outdoor air, it behooves you to choose an excellent air filter that removes and neutralizes tiny airborne particles of dust, soot, pollen, mold, and dander. You can also open up your doors and windows to freshen the air—even in the cold winter or the sweltering summer heat, even if it is for a brief time.

What kind of farm is this? It’s called Hendricks Farms and Dairy in Telford, Pennsylvania (their Web site is www.hendricksfarmsanddairy.com). The owner, Trent Hendricks, has a passion to raise food sustainably and locally. In fact, his award-winning raw-milk cheese, eggs from pastured chickens, and meats like lamb sausage aren’t available outside of Pennsylvania, which is why health-minded people drive hundreds of miles to buy their superior grass-fed meats and dairy products.

The new law, Mark said, didn’t actually ban raw milk, but it did eliminate the ability to effectively produce raw milk by making the standards impossible to comply with. He and another dairy farmer filed a lawsuit on behalf of the estimated 40,000 California consumers of raw milk, saying that the standards were unreasonable and if enforced, dairies like his will be shut down.

Going “green” doesn’t have to involve an overnight overhaul in your lifestyle. There’s a lot to be said for taking small steps and observing how they affect your daily activities, your interactions with friends and family, and even your wallet. For many of us, it is about a journey of awareness and incorporating feasible, sustainable actions into our lives to promote and maintain our green ideals.

Many people intuitively know that when they find the magic word organic labeled on the package or signage, that means it’s something better for them to eat. Raw vitamins are even better and more natural for you.

We are what we eat and it is scary what they are feeding us. A review of The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

Studies show that indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. Many energy-efficient school buildings tightly contain contaminants, especially if ventilation is inadequate or poorly maintained—and children are especially at risk.