Re: Shale

[Guest guest]

Shale is the source of much of our petroleum, since petroleum also, by

definition, comes from plant matter. So, basically, shale is pure

petrochemically sourced--at the source of petrochemicals.

This is a really cheap petroleum product (supplement); and, most of all, it is

not " predigested " , it is fossilized.

Shale as a supplement became popular many years ago when the tape " Dead Doctors

Don't Lie " came out. Here's a bit more information regarding the topic of

minerals in shale.

We can easily become very confused within the broad world of supplementation,

because of the different claims touting the benefits of one mineral supplement

over the other. Should the mineral in a supplement form be a chelate, malate,

picolinate, colloidal (shale minerals are colloidal), fumarate, ascorbate,

ionic, etc....? My answer to that question is very simple, " The best way to get

minerals is from food! " The following paragraphs should explain why, when it

comes to minerals or any other nutrient, you should rely on whole foods to

nourish your body.

First of all, it is important to explain the terms inorganic or organic mineral.

The way elements in a compound are connected determines whether it is organic or

inorganic. Here are some definitions:

When a mineral is chemically inorganic, it means that its chemical composition

is without carbon. When a mineral is chemically organic, it means that its

chemical composition is with carbon.

When a mineral is agriculturally inorganic, it means that it is grown with

chemical fertilizers. When a mineral is agriculturally organic, it means that it

is grown without chemical fertilizers.

When a mineral is nutritionally inorganic, it means that it is without a protein

or enzyme attached to it. When a mineral is nutritionally organic, it means that

it is with a protein and enzyme attached to it. (Jensen, pp. 74-84)

Ted Morter in his book, Health and Wellness, defines organic minerals as easily

broken apart and inorganic minerals as tightly held together (hard to digest).

There is much controversy in the scientific community as to whether or not the

body can utilize inorganic minerals in carrying out life processes. However, the

vast majority of the scientific community recognizes that ONLY chemically and

nutritionally organic food can adequately provide substances, including

minerals, that can be utilized by the body at the cellular level.

Scientists tell us that we are part of the animal kingdom and like all other

members of the animal kingdom, we do not possess the ability to perform

photosynthesis, therefore we must rely on the plant kingdom to prepare

(chemically assemble) our foods (ingredients). As humans, there is only one way

that we can fully access minerals on a cellular level and that is through the

consumption of what the plant kingdom offers us. Plants, through the process of

photosynthesis attach enzymes and protein to inorganic minerals found in soil or

water and can make them living or organic minerals. In other words, the attached

enzymes act as a " passport " to assist the transfer of the minerals into the

cells of the human body and aid in the cells utilization of the delivered

minerals. The key here is that the enzyme must be alive (active) and attached to

the mineral in order for the body to utilize it.

An example of an inorganic substance is table salt. It is simply sodium and

chloride. No enzymes or protein attached to it, thus it is an inactive substance

and the body cannot use it. Our bodies cannot attach an enzyme or protein to

inorganic substance (minerals), except at great cost to our health.

Remember, it is only the plant kingdom, through its various living and

developing processes that can attach enzymes or protein to inorganic substances

and make them chemically bonded, active and organic.

The plant kingdom utilizes sunshine, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, water and

inorganic minerals in the process of photosynthesis to feed itself and grow. The

result is a living plant (food for our consumption) containing: Glucose,

protein, fatty acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins and water. Eating fruits,

vegetables, algae, sea veggies, seeds and nuts daily as staples in our diets

will provide us with a set of usable nutrients that are reasonably complete for

our needs.

References:

Crawford, Mark. (1999, March). Minding Our Minerals. Healthy & Natural Journal.

Jensen, Bernard. (1973). Empty Harvest. New York: Avery Publishing Group Inc.

Morter, Ted. (2000). Health & Wellness. Hollywood, Florida: Frederick Fell

Publishers, Inc.

Carol

> I guess I should restate my comment regarding shale.