Ignorance: Gestalt Diet I: Or Very Vital Vitamins Verify Value:

One of the key things that a lot of people fail to have knowledge on is how different parts of a given machine operate to work the whole, and how to do maintenance on said parts.  I've fixed toasters, computers, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, video game controlers, and even a Playstation One before before gaining any assisted training on those machines (save the first bicycle I fixed) from another person directly, reading up on the machines and figuring things out for myself.  There are many things I don't know how to repair, but I've learned how to do basic electrical wiring, plumbing, laying grout, and all manner of other tasks some people have difficulty doing on their own due to their ignorance, hiring a specialist instead.  In certain cases, that's definitely a good idea, unless you are yourself a specialist in that area.  However, one machine people tend to overlook in terms of maintenance is the human body.

I talked before on weight management and one of the things covered was electrolytes.  They are a vital part of hydration and metabolism, but there are other things an individual needs to consume regularly to keep their body working in peak condition.  Most people know these as vitamins and minerals, carbs and fiber, fat and protein.  Everyone needs some of each of these for their body to work properly.  Any diet that doesn't cover all of these bases at least in a small measure is not one that will keep the dieter healthy in the long-run.  Another issue is with people falling prey to misinformation, ala the 'Got Milk?' advertising and other such misdirections.  Yes, calcium is needed to keep bone density up, however, the Vitamin D added to most milk products today is there because it is lacking for most other individual's diets otherwise.  Vitamin D is produced by the body by absorbing sunlight, but the amount depends on the body weight, skin surface, region, sunscreen amount and other factors.  Those who don't get very much sun tend to become sickly more often, and hence why the FDA pushed for Vitamin D to be added to aid in the general populous' health.

In addition to Vitamin K, Vitamin D also helps with the absorption of calcium and maintaining bone density.  This is but one among many balances the body has, and most people don't even think about what their recommended amounts are, or look to see what parts of their diet may be lacking or in excess if their health is stronger or weaker than normal based on their diet.  Most doctors don't either, as it tends to be one of the less likely causes of symptoms that may be easily treated if it is indeed not something more serious.  Many patients follow their doctor's orders and take medication which treats another possibility and suffer side-effects without seeing an improvement on their actual symptoms and get bounced around on different medications until it goes away on its own through unconscious diet decisions, or a different medication contains what was missing from the diet, or the doctor recommends seeing a nutritionist.  All in all, one does not need to daily check the nutritional information of food to ensure they are getting vital nutrients regularly, but having a basic understanding aids in treatment.  Massive migraines, especially in winter or when noticing a bright light, for example, were a problem I used to have during high school.  It turned out I had a Vitamin C deficiency which was easily remedied by having an orange instead of applesauce with my breakfast, or by having a Vitamin C tablet.  Far less expensive than going in for multiple doctor visits to find out that information, my godparents and parents looked into my symptom and decided to try nutrition first.  Lo and behold, that was all that was needed.  So, if you're ever feeling ill or sluggish, or otherwise under the weather, consider looking up your symptoms to see what helps.  After all, asprin itself comes willow bark, which ancient physicians and fishwives told people suffering of a headache to chew on.  In Ancient Egypt, papyrus was used instead, but it contains many of the same compounds.  Our bodies are organic after all, so it is only fitting that natural remedies in food itself may help keep us healthy.  This is but one part of a complete diet, but very vital.