Greetings! Much like the thorny weeds (in the parable with the sower and the seed; Mark 4:7), there are things that are  “choking” out the minerals from our food. Unhealthful substances are often added and healthful substances are often taken away; leaving no room in our bodies for the mineral-rich food that satisfies. Consider if there are any foods in your diet, that may be occupying a space for something better. In like manner, contemplate the lesson spiritually. Commune with God, and examine if there are any things in your life that are crowding out your time for devotion (prayer and studying of the Scripture). Praise be to God, Jesus can help us both physically and spiritually! He is the Source for help in daily living!

 

 

Sources of Minerals

To aid the reader in restoring his depleted supply of minerals and hereafter maintaining it, he is directed to natural foods. Following is a list of foods which contain the largest amounts of minerals most needed. The use of vegetables and fruit juices to supplement these foods will be helpful in some cases.

Foods Rich in Calcium

The unstarred foods contain 45 milligrams or more of calcium in an ordinary serving of food.

*The starred foods contain 100 milligrams or more in an ordinary serving of food.

The minimum daily requirement of an adult is about .45 gram, or 450 milligrams. During growth, pregnancy, and lactation, .90 gram or 900 milligrams are needed.

The above figures are taken from United States Department of Agriculture Bureau of Home Economics, and other sources.

Foods Rich in Phosphorus

The unstarred foods contain 65 milligrams or more of phosphorus in an ordinary serving of food.

The starred foods contain 130 milligrams or more in an ordinary serving of food.

The daily minimum requirement of an adult is about .88 gram or 880 milligrams. During growth, pregnancy, and lactation, about 1.00 gram or 1000 milligrams are required.

 

 

The above figures are taken from the United States Department of Agricultural Bureau of Home Economics Bulletin, and other sources.

Foods Rich in Iron

The unstarred foods contain one milligram or more of iron in an ordinary serving of food.

The starred foods contain two milligrams or more of iron in an ordinary serving of food.

The daily minimum requirement of an adult is from .006 to .016 gram. Sixteen-thousandths of a gram equals 16 milligrams, the daily requirement.

 

The above figures are taken from the United States Department of Agricultural Bureau of Home Economics Bulletin, and other sources.

Foods Rich in Iodine

The iodine content of foods has not been tabulated in as great detail as has been done with calcium, phosphorus, and iron, and therefore it is possible only to give a list of foods known to contain it. The iodine content of foods varies according to the locality where they are grown. A physician can determine whether or not a person needs more iodine. If so, the following foods may be emphasized, or iodized salt, or sea kelp may be added if necessary. In some sections goiter has nearly disappeared through the use of iodized salt.

The list of foods has been made from information gathered from a number of authorities including Sherman, McCollum, Kellogg, and Sansum. 

Lists of foods containing other minerals are not given because the foods which contain calcium,  iron,  iodine, phosphorus,  also contain all of the other minerals the body needs, and therefore if proper amounts of these four are obtained, all of the other required minerals will also be secured. The C (calcium), I (iron and iodine), and P (phosphorus) brings to mind, one of our coined phrases C.I.P-Close, Intimate, and Personal relationship with God. Just like how those key minerals mentioned would secure the other minerals the body needs, having a close, intimate, and personal relationship with God, will set the tone for everything else. “But my God shall supply all your need” Phil. 2:30!

 

 

The following tables taken from the bulletin number 975 of the United States Department of Agricultural show how far one pound of each of the grains named will go toward supplying the daily need of one person for the minerals named. For instance, one pound of graham flour will yield about one-fourth of the calcium one person need in one day, and more than enough phosphorus and iron. And so on down the list. It should be noted that wheat and oats are very rich in mineral salts.

Death Without Minerals

‘Unless food contains sufficient mineral matter, no matter how well-balanced the ration may be in the ternary food elements, nor how large quantities are ingested, nor how high the caloric value, there will be malnutrition. In Foster’s experiments, dogs and pigeons fed on demineralized foods died earlier than those that were entirely deprived of food.’

Persons who have using foods more or less depleted in minerals should take liberal servings of the suitable mineral-high foods in this list, but should remember to work them into balanced meals as organized by the Automatic Menu Planner discussed in this previous lesson.

Do not accept the theory sometimes heard that it is all right to eat demineralized grains and seek to make up that deficiency by using more vegetables and milk. The Creator put these minerals into both cereals and vegetables because we need the full supply, not merely part of it.

Examples of a Mineral-high Vegetable Dinner:

Baked potato with vegetable butter and plant-based cream, lettuce and tomato salad, whole grain bread, buttered beets, spinach, lima beans, and almonds.

A Balanced Ration

In establishing a balanced ration we begin with the foods which proved heat, energy and repair substances. These are the protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Some years ago Dr. Russell H. Chittenden, after much experimental and research work, concluded these foods should be used in the following proportions: protein 10 per cent; fats, 25 per cent; carbohydrate, 65 per cent. This standard has been quite widely accepted as an approximate balance.

This food elements cannot be used in the body without mineral salts and that the average diet is alarmingly deficient in minerals. By God’s grace, we have now laid the foundation of a balanced ration! In our next class, we shall start a new series of studies entitled, How Acids and Alkalies Affect the Health! Come back and join us!

*Study adapted from the book, Abundant Health by Julius G.White