The following is a list of the key
vitamins and minerals that can be found in raw vegetables, raw fruits,
and their corresponding raw juices to help reverse Type 2 diabetes as
well as provide other health benefits for the cells, blood, bones, skin,
nerves, heart, brain, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and other organs.
Instead
of taking vitamin/mineral supplements (which may be synthetic and not
provide the same level of health benefits), consider modifying your diet
to drink more raw juices and eat the following raw foods that contain
these vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins and Their Food Sources
Vitamin A
is key for good vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth.
Vitamin A keeps skin and mucous membrane cells healthy and moist and
resistant to cell damage. The moistness
inhibits bacteria and viruses from "putting down stakes" and starting
infectious diseases.
Vitamin A fights cancer by inhibiting the production of DNA in cancerous cells. It slows down
tumor growth in established cancers and may keep leukemia cells from
dividing.
Vitamin
A (i.e. alpha and beta carotene) can be found in kale, parsley,
carrots, spinach, chard, beet greens, watercress, broccoli, and Romaine
lettuce.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
is an important coenzyme that helps the body convert food into energy.
It also assists in manufacturing fat and metabolizing protein. Thiamin
is necessary to maintain normal function in the nervous system. Thiamine
plays a part in the chain of reactions that provides energy for the
body. It is thought to be beneficial for people suffering from
Alzheimer's disease and older adults with mental impairment. It may also
improve the mental function of epilepsy sufferers who take the drug
phenytoin.
Vitamin B1 is found in fruits and vegetables thatinclude garlic, sunflower seeds, and buckwheat sprouts.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
works together with the family of B-complex vitamins to provide the
body with energy by metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It
also helps in the regeneration of glutathione, an enzyme that rids the
body of free radicals. Riboflavin may be able to decrease the number of
migraine headaches a person has. It might also help to prevent
cataracts. Riboflavin has helped to increase iron levels for those
suffering from iron-deficiency anemia.
Vitamin B2 is found in broccoli, kale, parsley, beet greens, and prunes.
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
works with other B-complex vitamins to metabolize food and provide
energy for the body. Niacin was first discovered by researchers looking
for a link between diet and the disease pellagra. They determined that
pellagra was common among people with a corn-based diet, and they were
able to treat the disease with nicotinic acid, a form of niacin.
Niacin
is very effective at correcting high cholesterol and preventing or
reversing heart disease. It can be used to treat insulin-dependent
diabetes. It might also be effective in treating arthritis and migraine
headaches. However, taking niacin supplements in high doses can be
dangerous to your health.
Vitamin B3 is found in brewer's yeast, mushrooms, wheat bran, and peanuts.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), like other B vitamins, helps
the body extract energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also
helps to metabolize fats and produce red blood cells and hormones from
the adrenal gland. Pantothenic acid is necessary to maintain good
health.
Vitamin B5 might be useful in treating rheumatoid
arthritis. It could also be used to lower blood cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. Pantothenic acid is commonly found in "anti-stress"
formulas because it works with the adrenal glad to produce stress
hormones.
Vitamin B5 is abundant in broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.
Vitamin B6
is effective against more than 100 health conditions. It's used against
maladies as serious as heart disease and everyday aggravations such as
premenstrual syndrome and sensitivity to MSG. It can even help prevent
the formation of kidney stones.
Vitamin B6 is abundant in spinach, turnips greens, bell peppers, prunes, and kale.
Vitamin B7 (biotin) acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of
fats and carbohydrates, the breakdown of proteins to urea, and the
conversion of amino acids from protein into blood sugar for energy. In
addition to its metabolic properties, biotin also has some health
benefits. When normal intake of biotin is supplemented, it strengthens
fingernails, relieves a scalp condition in newborns, and is very
effective at controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Vitamin B7 is found in swiss chard, carrots, nuts, halibut, vegetables, berries and other fruits.
Vitamin B12
keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy. It is responsible for
the smooth functioning of several critical body processes. Vitamin B12
helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Vitamin B12 also protects
against heart disease by curbing and improving unhealthy cholesterol
levels, protecting against stroke, and high blood pressure. It is
essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It helps in cell
reproduction and constant renewal of the skin. In addition, Vitamin B12
helps protect against cancers including breast, colon, lung, and
prostrate cancer.
Vitamin B12 is found in liver, meat, eggs, milk, cheese, soy, tempeh, and some varieties of fish.
Vitamin C strengthens our immune system, helps detoxify our bodies, promotes healing of all of our cells, and
allows us to better deal with stress. It also supports the good bacteria
in our gut, destroys detrimental bacteria and viruses, neutralizes
harmful free radicals, removes heavy metals, protects us from pollution,
and much more.
Vitamin
C's antioxidant properties protect cells and their DNA from damage and
mutation. It supports the body's immune system, the first line of
defense against cancer, and prevents certain cancer-causing compounds
from forming in the body. Vitamin C reduces the risk of getting almost
all types of cancer. It appears that this nutrient doesn't directly
attack cancer that has already occurred, but it helps keep the immune
system nourished, enabling it to battle the cancer.
As
an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to prevent cataracts -- the clouding of
the lens of the eye that can lead to blindness in older adults. The lens
needs a lot of vitamin C to counteract all the free radicals that form
as a result of sunlight on the eye. Vitamin C is concentrated in the
lens. When there's plenty of this vitamin floating through your system,
it's easy for the body to pull it out of your blood and put it into the
lens, protecting it from damage.
As with the other
antioxidants, vitamin C helps to prevent heart disease by preventing
free radicals from damaging artery walls, which could lead to plaque
formation. This nutrient also keeps cholesterol in the bloodstream from
oxidizing, another early step in the progression towards heart disease
and stroke.
People
with diabetes can benefit from eating more vegetables and fruits to
obtain some extra vitamin C. This nutrient can help regulate blood sugar
levels. Since insulin helps vitamin C, as well as glucose, get into
cells, people with diabetes may not have enough vitamin C inside many of
their cells. Just like glucose, vitamin C can't do its work if it's not
inside of a cell. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits that contain
vitamin C can force it into body cells, where it can protect against the
many complications of diabetes.
Vitamin
C can be found in all vegetables and fruits, especially berries and
citrus fruits. Vitamin C is abundant in oranges, guava, red peppers,
kiwi, grapefruit, and strawberries; and, can also be found in Brussels
sprouts, kale, spinach, tomatoes, and cantaloupe .
Vitamin E provides protection against toxins such as air pollution, premenstrual syndrome,
eye disorders such as cataracts, neurological diseases such as
Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Vitamin E's antioxidant properties strengthen the immune system and remove free radicals. It also reduces cholesterol
and the risk of developing cancer. Vitamin E thins the blood, reducing the risk of coronary artery
disorder or heart disease. Vitamin E also helps alleviate fatigue and
strengthen capillary walls while nourishing the cells.
Vitamin
E is abundant in mustard greens, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, wheat
germ, walnuts, olive oil, and tropical fruits; and, can be found in
tomatoes, carrots, watercress, and asparagus.
Minerals and Their Food Sources
Calcium
is important for strong bones and teeth. Too little calcium can lead to
the bone conditions rickets and osteoporosis. Calcium also has a role
in blood clotting and the regulation of muscle contractions including
the heartbeat. There is some evidence calcium has a role in managing
blood pressure and preventing breast and colon cancer.
Calcium is found in carrots, celery, broccoli, garlic, spinach, beet greens, lettuce, string beans, and watercress.
Manganese is a benefit to healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, and helping to
create essential enzymes for building bones. It also acts as a co-enzyme
to assist metabolic activity in the human body. Apart from these, there
are other health benefits of manganese including the formation of
connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of the
thyroid gland and sex hormones, regulation of blood sugar level, and
metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Manganese is found in cruciferous vegetables, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, beet greens, and spinach.
Potassium provides relief from stroke, blood pressure, heart and kidney
disorders, anxiety and stress, as well as enhanced muscle strength,
metabolism, water balance, electrolytic functions, and nervous system.
Potassium, the third most abundant mineral in human body, is a
powerful element in improving health. It contains the components for
maintaining a high level of well-being and an improved lifestyle.
Apart from acting as an electrolyte, this mineral is required for
keeping the heart, brain, kidney, muscle tissue and other important
organ systems of the human body in good condition. Potassium chloride is
the main variety of this mineral, and it works in association with
sodium to perform a number of critical body tasks.
Potassium is found in cruciferous vegetables, celery, radishes, garlic, asparagus, bananas, and chard.
Iron provides health benefits that include its job of carrying
life-giving oxygen to human blood cells. About two-thirds of the bodily
iron is found in hemoglobin. Other health benefits of iron are the
reduction of iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, cough,
anemia in pregnancy, predialysis anemia and many other varieties.
The health benefits of iron relate to the proper growth of human body
and maintenance of robust health. It is an essential protein component
for metabolism, and the human body needs iron to produce red blood
cells. The human body is capable of preserving 15 % of iron for future
use, especially in the case of inadequate diet intake.
Please Note:
However, as we get older, excess iron in the blood that migrates to our
organs can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer and heart
disease.
Iron is found in pineapple, blackberries, strawberries, parsley, cruciferous vegetables, beets with greens, parsley, and chard.
Sodium is an extremely important electrolyte and an essential ion present in
the extracellular fluid (ECF). One of the health benefits of sodium is
the pivotal role it plays in enzyme operations and muscle contraction.
It is very important for osmoregulation and fluid maintenance within the
human body. Some other health benefits of sodium include improved heart
performance, nervous system and glucose absorption.
Sodium is the primary ion and electrolyte within the body, and it is
needed for blood regulation. Serious impairment of bodily function is
caused due to the absence of sodium. It is a versatile element and
occurs in more than eighty different forms. As an electrolyte, it
regulates the bodily fluids and transmits electrical impulses in the
body. Unlike other vitamins and minerals, heat has no effect on sodium.
Therefore, it can be used in different ways and preparations without
losing its effects. Also, it is an important constituent of nerves and
helps regulate muscle contractions.
Although sodium is an essential nutrient in any balanced diet, it can
also cause stomach cancer and hypertension. People suffering from
kidney problems or edema should restrict their intake of sodium to
protect against those health risks.
Sodium is found in celery, spinach, beets with greens, cabbage, garlic, sunflower seeds, turnips, and watercress.
Zinc supports proper functioning of the immune and digestive systems, control of
diabetes, reduction of stress levels, energy metabolism, and an
increased rate of healing for acne and wounds. Also, zinc is helpful in
terms of pregnancy, hair care, eczema, weight loss, night blindness,
colds, eye care, testosterone production, appetite loss and many other minor conditions.
Zinc, being an important mineral, plays a vital role in protein
synthesis and helps regulate the cell production in the immune system of
the human body. Zinc is mostly found in the strongest muscles of the
body and is found in especially high concentrations in the white and red
blood cells, eye retina, skin, liver, kidneys, bones and pancreas. The
semen and prostate gland in men also contain significant amounts of
zinc.
In the human body, there are more than 300 different enzymes that
require zinc to function normally. Researchers believe that 3,000
proteins out of the approximately 100,000 in the body consist
predominantly of zinc.
Zinc is found in turnips, parsley, carrots, cucumbers, spinach, garlic, ginger root, and lettuce.