Victorian diseases are rearing their ugly heads again. Diseases like cholera, scurvy, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, gout and whooping cough are all reappearing. The medical profession is now predicting the return of rickets, with vitamin D deficiencies being noticed in children. Another alarming fact is that in some parts of London, there is a higher rate of TB then in Iraq and Rwanda.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
There are a variety of reasons. One is the fact that the pathogens that cause these diseases are constantly evolving. Another is that we live on a very small planet, where travel is easy and so it spread of disease from continent to continent. Another reason is our diet.
Our foods do not contain the natural goodness they did 60 years ago or more. We eat foods which are genetically modified and full of additives and preservatives. Some āfreshā foods have been stored for so long that there are no vitamins left in them at all. A study on the vitamin C content of Californian oranges which had been stored for 2 months, showed that there wasnāt one milligram of vitamin C left in them.
So, as hard as it is to believe, malnutrition is playing large part in the re-emergence of Victorian diseases in the UK. Dianne Jeffrey, who is part of the Malnutrition Task Force, says our elderly are particularly at risk, with āestimates suggesting that there are at least one million malnourished or at risk of malnourishment.ā Malnourishment obviously translates into a weak immune system, laying the body open to attack from disease.
One Example ā Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Our bodies donāt produce vitamin B12 so we need to get it from our food, which can be difficult for many people such as vegans, those with autoimmune diseases, alcoholics, overuse of antacids, to name but a few. It can cause depression, anaemia, nerve problems and much, much more.
What can we do to stop it?
Firstly, we can ensure we get the right nutrients every day by taking supplements. The Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) havenāt been altered for decades and many supplements contain amounts which are far too low to be beneficial to our health. Beyond Tangy Tangerine has 90 essential vitamins and minerals and an ORAC score of 5745. It has 115 different fruits and vegetables packed into a delicious, easily assimilated drink.