There is a lot of information circulating through the media these days regarding the dangers of processed foods. Are these concerns valid? Most products that we consume on a regular basis are fortified and enriched with synthetic vitamins. I would like to cover the basics of what you should know about these processed foods. The truth is, we have swerved far away from whole food eating that we practiced 2,000 years ago, and are reaping the negative consequences today.
This can be a delicate issue and is certainly surrounded by many differing opinions. The fact is that we are destroying our foods. Taking food apart and trying to put it back together for cheaper production disrupts the natural nutritional makeup of the product. I’ll explain more about how this happens along with the negative effects that processed foods have on our bodies.
Enhancing whole foods with synthetic vitamins
As the human race has increased in knowledge through research and the use of technology, much of it has been applied to researching human chemistry. Through these studies, scientists have discovered various vitamins that are essential to us and how they are processed and utilized by our bodies. It is apparent to the researchers that the modern American diet lacks many essential vitamins. This is because of the breakdown of whole foods and the destructive processing that they go through.
For example…
Lets take milk for example. Milk is pasteurized and homogenized before it hits the shelves of your local grocery store. From its raw state, the milk is put through pasteurization where the liquid is cooked over high heat. This process kills the enzymes and amino acids, which are the nutritious components in milk. As the process of pasteurization takes place, any natural enzymes are obliterated and milk isn’t even approved until the chemist finds no living enzymes in it! Once milk is pasteurized, it is enhanced with synthetic vitamins such as A and D to replace what this process burned off. Then milk is put through through homogenization in which the structure of the healthy fats are either broken down (to prevent the fat from separating) or removed, depending on the fat percentage of the product.
Why is this a problem? Vitamins A and D are fat soluble. This means that we need fat along with these nutrients to properly absorb them. Adding isolated vitamins to milk that has a fat percentage of 0, 1 or 2% makes them unable to be absorbed by our bodies. The liver and kidneys are taxed as they filter these additives that can’t even be utilized because they are no longer a “whole food”. In contrast, raw milk contains these nutrients and is a great source of healthy fats.
Orange juice is another great example, pasteurized then fortified with vitamin C and Calcium.
A similar process is used in the production of bread. After a grain is broken down and made into flour, it too goes through an enrichment with vitamins A, B, and Iron. Because the grain is a completely different molecular structure and broken down from its intended state, your body’s organs are overworked as they try to filter out the synthetic chemicals.
With this information about enriched foods and isolated vitamins in mind, think about how it relates to taking vitamin supplements. There is a lack of proprietary blend and a wholesome food base in these synthetic products. I believe that a proper solution to these issues would be to not remove the nutrients from our foods in the first place. Despite the increase in vitamin supplement sales within the past few decades, the results speak for themselves.
Something’s not working
Throughout my 28 years in practice, it is all too obvious to me that the human body’s ability to stay healthy throughout the aging process is fading. Evidence lies in the latest statistics of people suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc., even as vitamin sales skyrocket.
Take a look at any packaged food that you find in a grocery store. Most of the labels indicate their amounts of calcium and vitamins. According to this information, many people who purchase them are supposedly consuming a sufficient amounts of these nutrients. Unfortunately, they are synthetic and not from whole food sources, therefore the body does not absorb them.
The basic foods that are being consumed are not even close to supplying the body with the basic ingredients needed to provide building materials necessary for growing children and for adults to equip and restore their bodies as they age.
In conclusion
I know that one of the biggest challenges is not having enough time to prepare our meals from reliable food sources. This limits choices and leaves us with foods that can be obtained fast and have an extensive shelf life.
Take the time to prepare nutritious foods, and schedule your meals throughout the day. You might be surprised how much it helps to plan ahead. Eating healthy is not stressful if you are organized.
To learn your metabolic type, fill out the questionnaires to find out your needed ratios of micro nutrients (carbs, fats and protein) for your body. Choosing the correct food combinations is the best way to get the most out of your meals.
Supplement your diet with whole food supplements. Even if you make good choices at the grocery store, it is still fairly difficult to get proper nutrition from diet alone. However, whole food supplements must contain a proprietary blend, meaning that they contain all the factors that real food would have and allow our bodies to properly digest and assimilate the nutrients.
Would you like to come in for a nutritional evaluation? Give us a call at MBM and we’ll send you a FREE metabolic typing questionnaire for you to determine what food ratios are best for you!
“Keep on moving”
Luis Ponce Sr.
(408) 778-5577
