YOU WERE ASKING (F.A.Q.)

IF I quit dairy products, where will I get my calcium? What about osteoporosis?

The RDA amount of calcium needed is 800mg. This is because it is understood that generally, only 20 to 30% of the calcium you take in will be absorbed by your body. So in fact your body only needs 160mg if your assimilation is good.

It is also known that when you are in need of calcium, your body assimilates it much better. Otherwise, too much calcium will deposit itself on ligaments, tendons, kidneys, and could decrease the body's absorption of zinc, leading to a toxic state and aging.

Factors for a food assimilation of calcium are exercise (walking, riding, swimming, etc) fresh air (15 minutes a day face and hands uncovered is a minimum for production of an adequate amount of vitamin D. This vitamin is necessary for the assimilation of calcium).

Also note that too much fat combined with calcium (heavy cheeses) creates a compound which cannot be absorbed by the body. The oxalic acid (found in chocolate) added to calcium creates an insoluble compound leading to stones in the kidney and gall bladder.

Soy beverages are now fortified with calcium. Some researches tend to indicate that the calcium from soy, as in calcium set tofu, is as bio available as calcium found in milk. (Weaver, R.P. Heany,L.Connor,B.R.Martin, D.L.Smith, and Nielsen)

If I quit meat, where will I find my complete proteins?

You will find your proteins in fish, cereals and bean combinations, etc.
The National Research Council recommends .42 grams of protein per day for each pound of body weight. This means that the fatter you are, the more you need proteins! The average American eats 15 to 45% to much protein. Some elements increase the good assimilation of proteins, such as good attitude when you eat, and eating seaweeds and garlic. The same applies for good assimilation of calcium. It has been shown that appetising food increase absorption of vitamins.

What about B12?

There is an antagonist to vitamin B oral contraceptives Other antagonists to B vitamins include caffeine, alcohol, antibiotics, aspirin, diuretics, corticosteroid drugs and refined sugar (because it creates an abnormal intestinal flora from which some of the B vitamins are manufactured). These B vitamins are essential for the health of the nervous system. A lack of them leads to constipation and fatigue, among other things. We suggest a good diet, adequate rest, as well as limiting coffee, alcohol and sugar intake. We need very little vitamin B12 (sensitive to heat) see page 27 for other sources.

I was told I will suffer from anaemia if I don't eat red meat.

Contrary to common belief, meat is not the solution to anaemia. It was observed that often, meat eaters are not fruit eaters, and it is known that vitamin C helps in the absorption and retention of iron.
Also, when we eat meat, our organism often lack Vitamins B1 and B2 because of the refined food and alcohol we consume with it. A meat-centred diet can promote a lack of vitamin B. and folic acid, explaining frequent tension due to menstruation in women. A red -meat centred diet is a recognized cause of colonic cancer.

Many foods can provide you with iron such as eggs, fish, lentils, blackstrap molasses, cherry and prune juice and green leafy vegetables among others.

I, for myself, suffered from anaemia all my youth despite following the doctors’ prescription of eating red meat every day. Finally when I started living in Paris and studying naturopathy, I skipped the meat and switched to lentils, green leafy vegetables, spirulina and fruits. My anaemia was cured.

Why should I stop or reduce eating red meat?

We do not suggest that patients stop eating proteins. We are here concerned with “red meat”.
Many reasons can lead to a change in diet of this nature. The change, nevertheless, has to be made in a progressive manner, replacing one type of protein by another, stopping at the level which feels the most comfortable. This could be stretched on a few years. Changes in diet profoundly affect metabolism and psychology. This is because in our Biocybernetics system, food is linked to the “pancreas” which is the element of balance of our system. When there is an imbalance somewhere in the system, the “pancreas” set will try to find a new equilibrium, a little like our spine tries to compensate when we are not well aligned. We will then tend to go towards food or drugs. Our choices, unfortunately, are more than often bandaids which create more problems than solutions. As an example, an imbalance or a weakness in the “kidney” set will push us to eat too salty, one in the “liver” set will make us crave coffee and all the imbalances will send us running for sugar to stimulate the “pancreas” set.

Physiologically

it could be for personal reasons, such as the desire to respect your own body and keep it healthier. A meat-centred diet, as we know, acidifies the blood with its ensuing health consequences. Also, in our country, unfortunately, cattle are treated with growth hormones and continual low dose of antibiotics.

Their food contains animal proteins, which is not a suitable diet for herbivores. Europe banned this practice believed to have triggered mad cow disease. It is a market driven industry, not a health driven industry.

At least, when eating red meat, we should choose organically grown beef. Their health and living conditions are much better. Their meat is far less toxic.

Psychologically

Perhaps you are respectful of, or loving toward animals (a visit to a slaughterhouse could convince you).

Ecologically

you could know that for the environment, it would take less land for vegetable and fruit cultures than for cattle grazing. We could feed more people. Cattle grazing doesn’t make sense ecologically.

Spiritually

you could think animals, especially mammals, are so closely related to us, that their pain is similar to ours. After all, we are also animals.

Economically

a meat-centred diet is more expensive.

I suggest the reading of the book "The Book of Tofu", by William Shurtleff and Akino Aoyagi (Ballantine cookbook) for some interesting facts about meat. Also, "Diet for a Small Planet", by Frances Moore Lappe (also Ballantine books). These two books are inexpensive and very useful.

If you read French, "Traitement des maladies par les legumes, les fruits et les cereales", by doctor Jean Valnet, Maloine publisher. It's our everyday bible. Also "Nos aliments empoisonnes?", by Linda R. Pim, Quebec/Amerique publ.
In health food stores, you can find many books giving you the analysis of food elements.