Every Monday, I pull out a meaningful quote from one of the great books or articles I’m reading and share it with you. I invite you to look for inspirational words in what you read and share them each week in the comments.
This week’s quote comes from the Weston A. Price Foundation, from the web version of the informational brochure. I recommend printing, reading and keeping this brochure on hand. The information is concise, meaningful, and thorough. In fact, if you become of member of the WAPF, you’ll get a handy printed booklet in your member packet, along with a subscription to Wise Traditions, their quarterly printed journal that is chockful of information! You can also order these brochures to hand out to friends and family.
This quote stood to me when I first read it. It was the catalyst that provoked us into getting dairy goats within a few days (for the cream) and got us eating a quality daily supplement of cod liver oil. I’ll mark in bold the sentences that inspired us. (By the way, Dr. Price is Weston A. Price, the man for whom this organization is named. He was a Cleveland dentist from the 1930s, who, over the course of ten years, traveled to isolated areas of the world to study the health of populations untouched by western civilization.)
“When Dr. Price analyzed the foods used by isolated peoples he found that, in comparison to the American diet of his day, they provided at least four times the water-soluble vitamins, calcium and other minerals, and at least TEN times the fat-soluble vitamins, from animal foods such as butter, fish eggs, shellfish, organ meats, eggs and animal fats–the very cholesterol-rich foods now shunned by the American public as unhealthful. These healthy traditional peoples knew instinctively what scientists of Dr. Price’s day had recently discovered–that these fat-soluble vitamins, vitamins A and D, were vital to health because they acted as catalysts to mineral absorption and protein utilization. Without them, we cannot absorb minerals, no matter how abundant they may be in our food. Dr. Price discovered an additional fat-soluble nutrient, which he labeled Activator X, that is present in fish livers and shellfish, and organ meats and butter from cows eating rapidly growing green grass in the Spring and Fall. All primitive groups had a source of Activator X, now thought to be vitamin K2, in their diets.”
These essential fat-soluble vitamins are found in animal fats and animal foods, which many avoid because of a fear of saturated fats. We shouldn’t avoid saturated fats – and here’s why. (This is also from the Weston A. Price Foundation’s informational brochure.)
“Saturated fats play many important roles in the body. They provide integrity to the cell wall, promote the body’s use of essential fatty acids, enhance the immune system, protect the liver and contribute to strong bones. The lungs and the kidneys cannot work without saturated fat. Saturated fats do not cause heart disease. In fact, saturated fats are the preferred food for the heart. Because your body needs saturated fats, it makes them out of carbohydrates and excess protein when there are not enough in the diet.” – Read more about the roles of saturated fats.
What do you think? Please share in the comments – and if you’re quick on the draw, I’d love for you to share a snippet of something you read this week that inspired (even angered!) you this week. Be sure to state the title and author, and/or give a link if appropriate.
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This isn’t about what you quoted today, but about what you quoted a while ago. I used to get indigention from my morning oatmeal, whether I soaked it or not, but now that I am soaking it, with lemon or apple cider vinegar and letting the honey sit on it for a while…..no indigestion. That is so wonderful as I love oat meal. You quoted that honey is a true plant amalase, and it works for me. I also make these wonderful oat bran muffins…no flour and have a couple with my oat meal every morning. About what you quoted today, I am so brain washed, I have a hard time getting my mind around the idea that those foods are good for us. I believe what he said, he seems well informed…..and I love butter, but I have gravitated to coconut oil and olive oil. I eat eggs and meat now and then.
Thank you so much for this information. It was very interesting and revealing on so many levels. I have witnessed with my own eyes the results of placing babies on soy products. WOW! I never knew any of this. I so appreciate your willingness to share your research and knowledge with all of us. Keep up the great work, Wardeh.
.-= MarLou´s last blog post… Recipe 100% Whole Wheat Bread =-.
Dr. Price’s finding were in comparison to the American diet of his day, that was 1930′s. I imagine the American diet is so much more out of kilter today.
The saturated fat from animals raised on grain in confinement (an unnatural diet but most common) is not the same saturated fat from animals raised on pasture (a natural diet). You didn’t emphasize this important difference and so I’m wondering if I have it right?
.-= Marg´s last blog post… Autumn weekend =-.
Marg – Yes, you’re right! I’m so glad you mentioned that. We would want to choose pastured animals, who are able to “feast on rapidly growing green grass” for the best in saturated fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
You came up in a Google alert for vitamin k2.
For an in-depth look at Activator X / K2 (MK-4), I recommend this lengthy article by Chris Masterjohn of WAPF:
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitamin-k2.html
I’ve also done quite a lot of blogging about it.
.-= Richard Nikoley´s last blog post… Shorter FTC: “You’re Too Stupid” =-.
Hi Wardeh!
Do you know why they recommend fermented cod liver oil? I just take plain old cod liver oil right now, and it really helps me get through the winter blues.
Kelli – that’s great that you can tell such a difference! Here’s an article about it. It isn’t clear to me why fermented is better, but if I read between the lines, it seems like they’re saying it contains other co-factors that enhance our uptake and usage of Vitamins A & D. http://westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/cod-liver-oil-menu.html
“Please note that the fermented cod liver oil contains many co-factors that may enhance the body’s uptake and usage of vitamins A and D; in fact, many have reported results equivalent to those obtained from high-vitamin cod liver oil with half the recommended dose, that is ¼ teaspoon or 1.25 mL for children age 3 months to 12 years; ½ teaspoon or 5 capsules for children over 12 years and adults; and 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules for pregnant and nursing women.”
Also, if you read it, you might be convinced to take CLO with Butter Oil – that’s what we’re going to do when we finish this bottle of CLO.
Michelle – I am so, so, so, so happy that the honey and oatmeal is working for you. You made my day by sharing this!