18. Questions & Answers

Are the natural or "organic" vitamins any better than the synthetic ones?

No, a vitamin is nothing more than a specific compound, whether it is synthesized or extracted from a plant. In either form, they are not usable by the body but may be toxic. All the vitamins that we require are found in our whole natural foods and this is how they must be taken to be utilized.

Is choline effective in keeping fat from accumulating in the liver and arteries as claimed by some advertisements that I have read?

Choline manufacturers may have a difficult time explaining why anyone should swallow choline pills. Choline is widely available in the diet and is also manufactured in the body. It is considered an essential nutrient, but dietary deficiencies have never been demonstrated in man. Although choline has been widely used to treat fatty liver, as well as cirrhosis and hepatitis, it has never been demonstrated that this type of therapy is of any value. It is, in fact, worthless, and should not be used.

I have diverticulitis and my doctor told me not to eat fruits and vegetables. Is that good advice?

Diverticula are outpouchings that can develop in weak spots in the bowel wall. When many of these outpouchings are present and one or more become inflamed causing pain, the condition is known as diverticulitis.
This condition was virtually nonexistent in the early twentieth century and is now known as a disease of Western civilization. Its incidence has increased steadily in industrialized countries until between one-third and one-half the population over forty in the United States, Great Britain, France, and Australia suffer from it. Diverticulitis results from the increased use of refined flour and cereals and the substitution of foods containing large amounts of sugar and of meat for fruits and vegetables. In countries where the diet is high in fruits and vegetables, diverticular disease is still nonexistent.
The very foods that you were told to avoid are the ones that you should be eating exclusively. It would, however, be advisable to fast first to allow the bowel to heal.

Will apple cider vinegar "cure" colds and catarrh?

Cider vinegar is made by pressing the juice out of the apples and fermenting it, in the same way as making cider. The fermented juice is left to age for about six months and then the process of turning the alcohol into acetic acid begins.
Acetic acid is very destructive and corrosive to the tissues of the digestive canal and to all tissues and cells of the body. A small amount will halt digestion completely. This acid is so strong that it will dissolve certain metals and remove rust from steel. Consumption of vinegar will result in ill health and should never be consumed. There is no "cure" for colds. This is a reaction on the part of the organism to rid itself of accumulated toxic debris and should not be interfered with. Vinegar is a drug whose use suppresses the body's vital activity in conducting the eliminative task called a cold.

Could you suggest a diet for migraine headaches?

There are no diet "cures." Foods cannot act as specifics and go directly to the afflicted area to effect a cure. Only the body can heal and will promptly do so when the proper conditions provided. A natural diet of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds will provide the proper condition for the body to heal if the other conditions for health are also present.

What is the difference between white and red Ginseng? Are either forms acceptable to take?

All ginseng roots are naturally white. The red roots are produced by a special process that includes treating the white roots with other herbs, steaming, and other steps. This process is supposed to preserve the root and prevent insect infestation. As mentioned earlier, ginseng is a toxic substance and should not be consumed. The red root is just that much worse because it has the addition of other toxic herbs. Neither forms are acceptable.