Nutrients As Toxins

Study: Animals and humans eat clay to rid toxins

The term "eat dirt" takes on a whole new meaning when used by biologists, who have widely noted that humans, birds and mammals are all involved in geophagia. A new Cornell study finds that in humans, it is best explained as providing protection against chemicals food, parasites and pathogens.

This was stated by the author Will Young, Ph.D. '08, From the study, published in the June issue of the Quarterly Review of Biology. Young is a researcher in nutritional sciences at Cornell University beginning July 1 and is the author of "The craving of the Earth: Understanding Pica - the desire to eat clay, starch, ice and Chalk "(2011).

Reports geophagia rights have intrigued biologists for hundreds of years, said co-author Paul Sherman, Cornell professor of neurobiology and behavior. It has been described in almost all countries, but most often in the tropics.

Other explanations for previous geophagia included hunger or the need to acquire nutrients like iron, zinc or calcium.

The researchers analyzed 482 accounts geophagia Cultural Rights and 330 accounts geophagia among 297 species of birds, reptiles and mammals, 70 species of primates.Young and his colleagues entered the details of these accounts in a database and searched for models to evaluate each hypothesis.

They found that people who practice geophagia never claim to do just to fill an empty stomach, eat only small quantities and do so even when food is abundant. Similarly, researchers have found that the type of people eat dirt is rich in clay, which lacks nutrients bioavailable, dispelling the idea that geophagia adds nutrients to feed a person.The data suggest, in fact, that the earth can bind geophagic micronutrients like iron and zinc, which may explain the strong association between anemia and geophagia.

The researchers found that geophagia occurred most often in pregnant women and children in tropical areas where pathogens thrive. It has also been associated with the ingestion of toxic substances and gastrointestinal disorders. In pregnant women, the adaptive immune system are avoided in order not to reject the fetus, but at the same time, foodborne pathogens can be harmful to the health of the mother and fetus, "said Sherman.

"Geophagia is most common in the first trimester of pregnancy when the embryo is most vulnerable," said Sherman. Similarly, children and adolescents are very sensitive to toxins, which may explain why they also practice geophagia, "he said.

Nine factors affecting your metabolism

Despite all the information and all requirements offered by modern diets, the American people just keep getting bigger. In my mind, suggesting that our knowledge of metabolism is missing something - perhaps some of the ancient wisdom that has kept hundreds of generations of people thin and strong. Of course, having access to modern scientific knowledge is extremely helpful too. The key lies in integrating these two bodies of wisdom, and then apply them to obtain a better understanding of our landscape physiological whole.

Diet and Nutrition

Food provides us with nutrients that are essential - for healthy metabolism and health in general. Minerals Vitamins, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids and probiotics are all the essential nutrients, many of which can not be produced by the body and therefore must be ingested from external sources. Missing even one essential nutrient in your diet could have a devastating effect on your metabolism and overall health, it is important to understand how they work.

Inorganic minerals (like calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc) are essential for all tissue structures, including bones, skin and hair. They also play a vital role as electrolytes, which regulate the electric charge of the organization. This electrical charge is required for all cellular metabolic functions, but especially for the assimilation of nutrients and elimination of toxins.

appropriate mineral balance helps to moderate the sodium in our body, preventing water retention, inflammation and bloating.He also maintains acid balance of our body / alkaline (overacidity led to a slow metabolism and makes the body more vulnerable to infections and diseases). Minerals even help protect the body from radioactive toxins.

Because mineral deficiencies are associated with serious metabolic problems (with symptoms such as indigestion, headaches, nervousness, depression, exhaustion and impotence), it is wise to eat plenty of foods rich minerals, including fruit and vegetables grown in soils rich in minerals and sea vegetables and seafood in particular.

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