Focus on Prevention of Disease

Finding natural ways to prevent degenerative diseases has become increasingly important as many new environmental hazards impact on our body and its ability to cope. Our liver that most important gland in the body that regulates blood clotting, mineral balance in the tissues, elimination of toxic substances, digestion of fats, release and storage of nutrients can become overworked, overloaded with too many fatty foods and undernourished.

Choline helps the liver burn up fatty acids so a diet high in choline can reduce the incidence of degenerative diseases such as hardening of arteries by deposited cholesterol. Choline is found in abundance in brown rice, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, soya beans and breast milk - another good reason to breast feed your baby.

Seaweed or kelp is one of the richest sources known of vital minerals, approximately 30 in all and certain vitamins. It can be helpful in treating indigestion and constipation but it's only noticeable over several months. It can be used instead of salt but it's an acquired taste. Its mineral content makes it an excellent substitute for processed table salt.

Next month we'll look at 2-more substances that can help us cope with our continuing battle against degenerative diseases and the role that the environment plays in the development of these diseases.