Garlic  (11 Nov '07)

Dear Kim, I’ve heard that Garlic is a natural antibiotic. If so, how effective is it and for what conditions can I use it? Many thanks, Marie.

Hi Marie, Garlic is definitely one of nature’s superfoods! It contains a compound called allicin which is an anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Garlic is also rich in a range of other compounds that act as antioxidants in the body. Hence, overall it is a great aid when fighting any infection. For best results use raw garlic, as allicin is partially destroyed when heated. If you don’t like the taste of garlic (or want to give it to a child) try mashing the garlic with a banana. You can also press some garlic into honey, which also serves as an excellent cough mixture.

Note that in addition to having all these wonderful immune related properties, there are now also over 1,800 scientific studies supporting the use of garlic in helping to lower blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and even blood sugar in people with diabetes. For these purposes you can use both raw and cooked garlic. If people around you complain that you smell of garlic, try chewing on some fresh parsley. This easy to find herb is great at getting rid of “garlic breath’.

Supplements make me nauseas!  (23 Mar '08)

Hi Kim, I’ve started taking a multivitamin in order to improve my health. The problem is that I feel a bit nauseas after I have taken it. Why is this? Is this normal? Geoffrey

Hi Geoffrey, Great that you have decided to be proactive and look after your health! Multivitamins can make a huge difference in ensuring that your body gets all the nutrition that it needs to cope with the demands that are placed on it in our modern world. Remember though that multivitamins are just supplements. They are not intended to replace food, and certainly do not give you the go ahead to eat junk food. It is still very important that you pay attention to your diet, making sure to eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, beans and wholegrains.

Often when people feel nauseas after taking a nutritional supplement, it is usually because they have taken it on an empty stomach. I therefore strongly recommend that you take your supplements with some food. It does not have to be a lot of food, even a banana will do, just as long as there is something in the stomach.

Most people take their multivitamin tablets in the morning with breakfast. This is fine, except if you drink black tea. Tea interferes with the absorption of supplements because it contains methylxanthines and tannins –both of which will make minerals less absorbable. Therefore, if you really can’t be without your tea, then have it at least half an hour before breakfast. Alternatively, why not try some herbal teas like Rooibusch, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Ginger, etc. These teas taste great, are easily available and don’t contain any of the compounds that interfere with absorption. Please note that coffee can also interfere with absorption.

Sometimes nausea can also result if you are sensitive to some of the additives and fillers used in certain supplements. This is especially true for some of the lower quality supplements. With supplements, you usually get what you pay for. So buying the absolute cheapest may not always be such a bargain as the quality and potency are usually much lower. If you suspect that you may be reacting to fillers/additives then go for completely natural supplements that don’t contain such. These include things like wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella, spirulina, and of course Zambia’s local nutritional powerhouse moringa. For a great all-round multivitamin that also contains all the minerals and trace minerals, as well as enzymes and natural antioxidants (with no additives nor any fillers), check out “Green Power”. This supplement is a blend of some of the worlds greatest “superfoods” as well as 7 different sea vegetables, and is packed with nutrition. Take 1 teaspoon with some juice or water 2-3 times per day (available at Jubilee Chemists, Natures Thyme at Crossroads, Mary’s Herbal Clinic, Hi-Life Pharmacy at Downtown, The Farmers Market on Kafue Rd, MyAfya, etc.).

 

Where can I find Zinc? (13 Apr '08)

Dear Kim, I hope this letter finds you in good health and many more blessings to you. I have read your columns and they are very helpful and pretty educating in matters concerning health. I would like to find out the specific food that contains Zinc. Timothy

Hi Timothy, Thank you for your question. Zinc is indeed a very important mineral, essential to our bodies. Unfortunately it is also one of the minerals that many people are deficient in. Zinc has many functions in the body. It is needed for a healthy immune system, prostate gland function, wound healing, skin health and reproductive organ growth and health. It also helps protect the liver from chemical damage and is vital for bone formation. Furthermore, Zinc plays a very important role when it comes to balancing blood sugar levels in the body, as it is a component of insulin. Hence it is especially important that anyone who has blood sugar problems (e.g. diabetes) make sure that they are getting adequate amounts of Zinc.

A deficiency in Zinc may result in the loss of the senses of taste and smell. It can also cause fingernails to become thin, peel, and develop white spots. There are of course many other symptoms that may indicate a possible Zinc deficiency (such as acne, growth impairment, hair loss, increases susceptibility to infection, slow wound healing, etc.), but these symptoms may have other causes as well. Also remember that, although you may not have an outright deficiency, your levels could still be below optimum and hence cause problems. Once again, it brings us back to the notion that there is a big difference between being ill, being free of illness, and being healthy.

Foods that contain Zinc include: legumes (beans & lentils), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, pecans, wholegrains, sea vegetables/ sea weed, soy lecithin, egg yolks, fish, oysters, lamb, liver, poultry, kelp, torula yeast and brewer’s yeast. There are also many herbs that contain Zinc, e.g. cayenne pepper, chamomile, nettle, parsley, sage, fennel seeds, chickweed and even milk thistle.

You can also supplement with zinc (15 – 30  mg per day), but remember that all nutrients work together in the body. Studies show that you get much greater benefits by ensuring that you have adequate supplies of all minerals, rather than simply focusing on one. I always recommend that you see a therapist first before supplementing with single minerals. Also, by over-supplementing with one mineral you may cause an imbalance in other minerals. Having that said, sometimes supplementing with just zinc can be very helpful indeed.

If you are unsure, always go with foods. By eating a nutritious and varied diet, you can’t go wrong as you will be getting a wide range of minerals and nutrients. Nature has provided for us perfectly. You can also use “super-foods” such as wheat grass, barely grass, chlorella, spirulina and alfalfa (available to buy in powders) as these have very high nutritional profiles and are packed with minerals. Chlorella in particular is known for its superior mineral content.

Finally, it is important to remember that if you are trying to increase the level of minerals such as Zinc in your body, it is essential that you avoid what I call “anti-nutrients”. These are things that in various ways deplete minerals from your body. Common anti-nutrients include sugar, black tea, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, pollution and indeed stress.