Minerals and your Health
A friend had just faxed me a transcript of Radio Nationals the health report with Norman Swan from Dec 1998 entitled Selenium and Prostate Cancer. My father and his brother had just died from prostate cancer. I read carefully, being in a high risk category.
A large cancer prevention trial in the U.S. (started in 1983) has found that selenium supplements can significantly reduce the risk of prostrate cancer after only a few years of use. Dr. Larry Clark, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Arizona Cancer Centre.
One of the important findings of the trial was that very low doses of organic selenium was the greatest benefit to those who lived in areas where the soil was deficient in selenium.
This compliments the significant evidence that the health of our animals and ourselves depends on not just the macro nutrients available in our food, but also on the trace elements like Selenium, Vanadium and Chromium. Volcanic rocks such as basalt and granite bring these elements to the surface of the planet where they weather into nutrient-rich soil.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald (29.3.97) seems to substantiate that basalt and granite rock minerals may hold the key to health and longevity. Russell Beckett, a veterinary scientist and biochemical pathologist is working with a small team of earth scientists to determine why stock on farms near Cooma in Southern NSW, more than double their normal reproductive lives. These ..sheep and cattle seem to have what humanity has been seeking since the dawn of civilised history - the ability to live longer, stay healthy and continue reproducing .... The only common factor on all the farms involved is that they are on the basalt-granite interface where the soil and ground water contains minerals from both rock types. Beckett says that any discovery of what is enhancing the life of animals will apply to humans, including answers to degenerative diseases such as cancer.
If we look at the cultural groups (Hunzas, Russian Georgians, Armenians, and Tibetan group) that live the longest, disease-free lives, we notice that they all obtain their water supply from glacial runoff. They drink what is called glacial milk. The milky colour of the water is produced by the effect of glaciers grinding rocks down to such a fine consistency that the particles are suspended in the water in a colloidal form. These people drink colloidal minerals and irrigate their crops with glacial milk. Colloidal minerals are highly bio-available.
The rest of the world, however, must find a way to supplement our soils and our bodies with trace elements if we are to achieve health. As Australia is a very old continent even rich soils have been leached and minerals washed down through the soil profile. Originally deep-rooted trees retrieved these minerals, and returned them to the topsoil in discarded leaves. Since we have replaced the forests with relatively shallow-rooted crops, the minerals remain trapped in the lower soil profile or are deposited in the ocean by percolating ground water. This explains why seafood is such an important nutrient source.
Most farm soils are further depleted of minerals from years of cropping. Farmers replace the macro nutrients - Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N.P.K.), but not the trace elements. This is why health authorities are becoming concerned about the poor mineral content of our commercially produced meat, fruit, vegetables and grains.
Even compost may not replace these vital mineral nutrients if the trace elements are not available in the soil that produced the plants and manure for the compost bin. When I make compost I add a handful of crushed volcanic rock in the form of Alroc Mineral Fertiliser or a seaweed preparation in the form of Activ-8. Direct application of Alroc to the soil, also produces the excellent results for which Alroc is becoming so well renowned. Rock minerals enhance yield and quality of produce. Be assured you are protecting your health and your wealth while you rebuild your soil with Alroc.
I have an extremely enlightening audio tape available which explains mineral nutrition and health.