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POTASSIUM
Potassium
is crucial for survival. It is critical to the heart muscle's ability
to pump by enabling it to initiate impulses which stimulate contraction
of the heart's muscle fibres. Potassium also helps control the function
of every nerve in the body. It helps maintain water balance, acid-base
balance, and is necessary for protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
Studies
suggest that high potassium intake may lower blood pressure and
reduce the risk of stroke. A few symptoms which might indicate possible
potassium deficiency are acne, constipation, frequent urination
with large volumes and constant fatigue. However, a comprehensive
symptomatology questionnaire (such as the nutritional symptomatology
questionnaire offered at this site) can help to determine the likelihood
of any deficiency, including potassium.
Your
analysis will test you for potassium deficiency, and
for symptoms of 53 other nutritional
imbalances.
SODIUM
Most
of what is written about sodium intake is negative, but sodium is
essential to our existence and is necessary for the preservation of
our health. It plays a major role in regulating water balance, acid-base
balance, transferring nerve impulses, regulating muscle action and
transporting nutrients to all the body's cells. However, we are concerned
here with the negative effects of excess sodium in the body.
Sodium
(in salt) is added to most processed foods and occurs naturally
in smaller quantities in many foods. For example, celery, beets,
carrots and milk all contain sodium.
Excess
sodium has been found to cause elevated blood pressure levels, especially
in the 20% to 40% of the population with a family history of high
blood pressure. As well, in the general population there are possible
connections between high levels of sodium and changes in the level
of stomach acid secretion, stomach cancer, migraine headaches and
blood vessel disease in the heart and brain.
Your
analysis will test you for excess sodium , and for symptoms
of 53 other nutritional imbalances.
CHROMIUM
Chromium
helps to regulate blood sugar. It is necessary for the absorption
of sugar into the blood stream and to help drive sugar, in the form
of glucose, into the cells so that it can be used as fuel. It is also
involved in the digestion and metabolism of fats, sugars and proteins.
Chromium
deficiency is common, largely because chromium is lost in the refinement
of grains. Whole wheat, rye and barley are some of the best sources
of chromium, but when they are refined they may lose up to 95% of
the mineral.
Lack
of chromium results in the distorted function of insulin, the hormone
that regulates blood sugar levels. This can cause fluctuating energy
levels and possibly relates to the cause of chronic fatigue. A chromium
deficiency can cause many other problems as well, such as difficulty
losing weight, poor muscle tone, episodes of shakiness and cravings
for sugars or starches.
Your
analysis will test you for chromium deficiency, and for symptoms
of 53 other nutritional imbalances.
IRON
Iron
molecules are some of the largest of the minerals, which makes them
difficult to absorb. In fact, only about 10% of the iron in food is
absorbed. One way to increase your absorption of iron from food is
to eat foods that are rich in vitamin C in the same meal.
Iron
is an important part of hemoglobin, the red coloring in your blood.
Hemoglobin acts as an oxygen carrier. When your iron is low, hemoglobin
production suffers and so do the red blood cells. The result is
that less oxygen is carried from the lungs to your body's cells,
and the cells work much less efficiently. This can possibly result
in tiredness, fatigue, lack of stamina, dizziness and the inability
to concentrate because your brain cells are not getting enough oxygen.
Iron
deficiencies are best determined by a blood test. However, the Nutritional
Fitness Test offered at this site will give a good indication as
to whether or not you should ask your doctor for a blood test. Since
many people do not tolerate iron supplements well, they should be
taken ONLY on the advice of a professional.
Iron
poisoning is the second most common accidental poisoning in children.
NOTE: Excess iron intake can be fatal.
Your
analysis will test you for signs of iron deficiency, and for
symptoms of 53 other nutritional
imbalances.
MANGANESE
The main
function of manganese is to activate enzymes, the body's catalysts,
without which our biochemical processes could not work. For example,
manganese is an essential component of the enzyme processes in both
cholesterol synthesis and the synthesis of cartilage and bone.
Therefore,
it isn't surprising that manganese is critical for your growth,
reproduction and skeletal development. It is also an important part
of the synthesis of interferon, a natural anti-viral agent your
body uses to defend itself when attacked by disease-producing viruses.
Your
analysis will test you for signs of manganese deficiency,
and for symptoms of 53 other nutritional
imbalances.
ZINC
Zinc
molecules, like iron, are large and are therefore difficult to absorb.
Most of the zinc in the body is found in the bones, but it is also
found in the hair, skin and nails. The male prostate gland contains
higher concentrations of zinc than any other organ, and zinc is believed
to be essential to a healthy prostate. In addition, zinc therapy appears
to help in the treatment of some prostate problems.
Zinc
is essential to the immune system and a deficiency of zinc will
prevent wounds, sprains, fractures and other injuries from healing
rapidly. It is part of more than seventy different enzyme systems,
and is necessary for the transport of vitamin A stored in the liver,
to the cells. Low zinc levels may be a factor in toxemia (a pregnancy
complication) and possibly contribute to low birth weight.
Zinc
absorption is impaired by alcohol, diuretics, cortisone, Tagamet
and antacids. Stress causes zinc levels to drop rapidly. Zinc occurs
naturally in foods, but it is destroyed in food processing. It is
not a good idea to take zinc supplements without the advice of a
professional, as excessive amounts can cause deficiencies of other
minerals and very large amounts can have serious side effects.
Your
analysis will test you for zinc deficiency, and for symptoms
of 53 other nutritional imbalances.
CIRCULATION
Many
people are unaware that they suffer from circulatory problems, most
of which are due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It
is little known that your arteries can be 80% clogged before you feel
any symptoms. Plaque (cholesterol, calcium and cellular debris) collects
in the arteries over a period of years, but is not noticed until there
is a decrease in the normal flow of blood.
It
is also little known that cholesterol is not the main problem --
damaged artery linings that allow plaque to attach itself are the
prime cause of clogged arteries. Fortunately, it has been shown
that arterial damage can often be reversed (artery walls strengthened
and arteries reopened) with a careful holistic regimen of diet,
nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes.
Atherosclerosis
and its complications, heart disease and stroke, are the leading
cause of illness and death in North America. It is no coincidence
that never before have we been so exposed to the causes of atherosclerosis
-- smoking, stress, pollution, radiation, lack of exercise and poor
diet.
Your
analysis will test the nutritional health of your circulatory
system, and for symptoms of 53
other nutritional imbalances.
CANDIDIASIS
Candidiasis
is a condition that occurs when Candida (a common yeast-like fungus
in our intestinal tract) gets out of control and invades other healthy
tissues. The gradually expanding Candida causes our immune system
to weaken, which in turn makes us increasingly allergic to more and
more of our environment.
Antibiotics,
which have been so useful to society for controlling serious bacterial
infections, are believed to be largely responsible for Candida overgrowth.
In healthy intestines, friendly bacteria keep unfriendly bacteria,
like Candida, under control. But when antibiotics are used, all
bacteria, friendly and unfriendly, are eliminated. As the antibiotics
clear from the intestines, the surviving Candida multiplies faster
than it should due to the lack of friendly bacterial control.
Candidiasis
is tenacious and often difficult to overcome, but a regimen carefully
designed to fit the needs of the individual will be successful.
The body's natural immunity must be rebuilt in order to reduce Candida
levels.
Your
analysis will test you for candidiasis and for symptoms of
53 other nutritional imbalances.
ESSENTIAL
FATTY ACIDS
We need
more Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) in our diet daily than any other
nutrient. Our bodies cannot manufacture EFA's -- they must be replenished
from our food and/or dietary supplements. EFA's occur naturally in
small amounts in foods such as nuts, grains, soybeans and some vegetable
oils. However, most of it is lost in refining and cooking. Some of
the best sources of the two critically important EFA's, omega 3 and
omega 6, are cold water fish, flax oil and supplemental oils from
plants such as black currant, borage, hemp and primrose.
The
brain cannot function normally without a good supply of EFA's. Essential
fatty acids promote the healthy growth of nerves and muscles, and
keep our cell membranes strong. EFA's can reduce inflammation in
the body, and so are helpful to persons suffering from allergies,
asthma, arthritis and skin conditions. Since EFA's have been shown
to lower blood fat levels (especially cholesterol), and keep blood
from becoming too thick, they are potentially helpful in the prevention
of heart disease and PMS.
Your
analysis will test you for Essential Fatty Acid deficiency,
and for symptoms of 53 other nutritional
imbalances.
REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
Problems
of the reproductive organs, both male and female, often are rooted
in nutritional deficiencies. A constant supply of good nutrition may
be even more important to the male system than to the female system,
since, in general, the manufacture of semen (which is high in nutrients)
requires frequent replenishment.
Nutrients,
such as vitamin E, vitamin C, essential fatty acids and zinc are
known to support the reproductive system. If your sexual energy
(libido) is low, there is good reason to believe that your body
is sending you a message that your diet is generally insufficient
and, in particular, is not supplying the full range of nutrients
necessary to support the biological functions of the sex glands
and leave enough energy left over for sex.
A
nutritional supplement program, the correct diet and stress reduction
can help reverse and solve many problems of the sexual/reproductive
system.
Your
analysis will test the nutritional health of your reproductive
system, and for symptoms of 53
other nutritional imbalances.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Sugar
is the fuel for all of our bodily systems. However, candies, sugar-coated
cereals, pastries and other extremely concentrated (and relatively
modern) sugars are too much for our systems to accommodate effectively.
These highly refined and concentrated sugars cause the pancreas to
overreact and produce too much insulin (the substance which lowers
blood sugar), and this quickly and drastically lowers our blood sugar.
The rapidly falling blood sugar level sets off internal alarms and
generates an even greater hunger for the concentrated sugars that
originally created the problem.
Hypoglycemic
people, caught up in this vicious cycle of unstable blood sugar
levels, usually make the wrong choice of food when internal cravings
develop as the result of rapidly falling blood sugar levels. Junk
foods and concentrated sugars are repeatedly chosen over foods providing
the protein, minerals and vitamins the body needs and very often
malnutrition results.
Anxiety,
fatigue and depression are symptoms of both hypoglycemia and malnutrition,
as they are the symptoms of a variety of other illnesses -- which
makes hypoglycemia difficult to determine with certainty. Careful
and comprehensive symptomatological testing, as is offered elsewhere
on this site is a good way to detect potential hypoglycemia problems.
Your
analysis will test you for signs of unstable blood sugar levels,
and for symptoms of 53 other nutritional
imbalances.
KIDNEY/BLADDER
The urinary
system is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood. If your
kidneys are not working properly, the waste products from cell metabolism
can collect in your blood and rise to toxic levels. The kidneys maintain
the chemical balance of all body fluids, and help to keep the level
of nutrients in the blood in a healthy range, by removing excess nutrients.
Another important function of the kidneys is to regulate the amount
of salt in the body and therefore help control blood pressure.
Low
intake of nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin E is believed to
leave the urinary system susceptible to weakness. However, high
doses of certain nutrients can also put undue stress on the kidneys,
as does low water intake or a diet high in animal protein.
Excess
toxins in the body stress the kidneys and bladder. Nutritional screening,
careful nutritional supplementation and avoiding tobacco, alcohol,
caffeine and drugs can help rejuvenate a stressed bladder and kidneys.
However, if you suspect you have a disorder of the urinary system,
you should see a doctor.
Your
analysis will test the nutritional health of your urinary
system, and for symptoms of 53
other nutritional imbalances.
LOW
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Digestive
enzymes are substances that allow your body to digest food, and transform
it into the various nutrients required to sustain life. Healthy enzyme
levels are critically important. Enzymes are made up of amino acids
(protein) -- which is one reason why your body needs good quality
protein to function well.
The
production of natural digestive enzymes is stimulated by several
things such as delicious food smells, the pleasing look of food,
or just the anticipation of food. When you salivate in anticipation
of food, your body is preparing for digestion by generating an enzyme
(ptyalin) in your saliva which is part of the first step of good
digestion. The ptyalin that mixes with food in your mouth serves
as a marker, and triggers additional digestive enzymes when the
food reaches your stomach. Eating in a slow, relaxed manner is very
important to good digestion. The flow of digestive juices is can
be severely inhibited by worry, anger, fear, fatigue or other strong
emotions. Eating when you are tired or stressed, etc. not only results
in indigestion because the enzymes have not been present to do their
work, but prevents your body from extracting the nutrients it needs.
When
you are lacking in either protein or enzymes, a vicious cycle occurs.
A lack of protein means that enzyme production will be inhibited,
and too few enzymes means that protein cannot be digested into a
form from which enzymes can be created. This is a good reason to
ensure that your levels of both amino acids (protein) and digestive
enzymes are adequate.
Supplemental
digestive enzymes are available.There are several kinds of digestive
enzymes, each working to digest a different type of food (carbohydrates,
sugars, proteins) and usually these are combined in various ratios
in a single supplement capsule. However, before taking supplementary
digestive enzymes it is important to first determine with certainty
that you need them, because excessive levels of digestive enzymes
can also create problems.
Your
analysis will test the nutritional health of your digestive
system and for symptoms of 53 other
nutritional imbalances.
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