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Janet Starr Hull PhD, CN

Alternative Health and Holistic Nutrition

A Cliff Note’s Version On The Nutrients Your Body Must Have

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a cucumber with 4 slices next to it
It is critical to supply your body with the nutrients that it cannot make on its own.

Some things are mandatory for our survival, and essential nutrients are at the top of the list. The big deal about essential nutrients is that your body is unable to manufacture them on its own.

So, here’s the Cliff Note’s version on WHAT you need to supply your body.

Essential Nutrients

It is essential to provide your body with at least:

  1. Eight (8) amino acids
  2. Thirteen (13) vitamins
  3. Fifteen (15) minerals
  4. Fatty acids
  5. Water
  6. Carbohydrates

Low levels of essential nutrients have been linked to:

the profile of a pretty woman with a headache
Low levels of essential nutrients can cause depression.

* Heart disease
* High blood pressure
* Cancer
* Osteoporosis
* Depression
* Schizophrenia
* Problems with menopause

Essential Vitamins

Essential “vitamins“ are broken up into two groups:

* Fat-soluble
* Water soluble

The most essential fat-soluble vitamins include:

  1. Vitamin A
  2. Vitamin D
  3. Vitamin E
  4. Vitamin K
3 lemons - 2 are whole and 1 is cut in half
Fresh foods are our ONLY source of the essential nutrients our bodies need to maintain health.

The most essential water-soluble vitamins are:

  1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  2. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  3. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  4. Vitamin B3 (niacin)
  5. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
  6. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
  7. Vitamin B12
  8. Folic acid
  9. Biotin

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Without amino acids, our brains would not function, our bodies would not grow, and our immune systems would shut down. The most essential amino acids are:

  1. L-isoleucine
  2. L-leucine
  3. L-lysine
  4. L-methionine
  5. L-phenylalanine
  6. L-threonine
  7. L-tryptophan
  8. L-valine

The key to amino acids is to ALWAYS consume them in a grouped minimum of 8 – it is unnatural to consume less than 8 together because they work together in Nature to function properly. Isolated amino acids (commonly found in manufactured products and in medications) that contain just one or two amino acids can do more harm than good because without a minimum of 8 to work in synchronicity, isolated amino acids are unnatural to your body, and can become loose cannons.

a scoop of salt in a wooden scooper
Unprocessed sea salt is a great source of natural minerals.

Essential Minerals

Essential minerals make up part of the necessary elements for healthy:

* Body tissues
* Fluids
* Other nutrients
* The body’s regulatory system

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids found in seafood and unrefined oils include:

* Linoleic acid
* Linolenic acid

Important fatty acids found in organic fats, oils, and nuts are:

* Oleic acid
* Arachidonic acid

The next time you are at the grocer, remember to buy only the freshest foods that supply ALL these essential nutrients that your body cannot produce on its own.

The point to remember is that your body cannot produce these nutrients – you must provide them.

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If you want to learn more about healthy living, contact me at janethull.com. Remember that you are never alone when you are looking for good health!

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements.  This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.

Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.

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