It has been found that the ability of the body to utilize vitamins from different sources varies considerably. Spinach is rich in carotene or pro-vitamin A. Fish liver oils are rich in vitamin A. But it has been found that, in terms of international units, a baby can derive from spinach ten times that which it can get from a similar dosage of various fish liver oils. To be of equal value to spinach, fish liver oil would have to supply 10,000 units of vitamin A to equal 1,000 units of vitamin A in spinach. The difference in these two substances is the difference in the availability of their vitamin A. The vitamins and minerals contained in fruits, vegetables and nuts are much more available than those derived from other sources. The results of the use of synthetic vitamins indicate that these substances are not available at all.

Besides the many abnormal conditions that prevent the absorption and untilization of vitamins, it is said that there is faulty utilization of vitamins in the absence of disease. It is said that there is a congenital inability to utilize vitamins well. Indeed, it is claimed that faulty utilization of this character is very common. The condition is said to be seen in both the young and the aged.

It is my opinion that congenital inability to utilize vitamins, if it exists at all, is extremely rare. The "absence of disease" from the standpoint of orthodox scientists means merely the absence of physical signs. Individuals that pass as healthy are often on the verge of complete collapse. A "biochemist" will talk learnedly about congenital inability to utilize vitamins and have a cigar in his mouth all the time he is talking. He does not recognize the inhibiting effects of tobacco upon digestion. He will prepare menus containing coffee, tea and other such substances. He will not exclude vinegar and condiments, that inhibit digestion, from the diets of his patients. He will talk learnedly of the "dramatic" way in which patients who have been for years on a "very good diet," respond to vitamin concentrates, all the while wholly unaware that he is witnessing, not improved nutrition, but mere temporary stimulation.

The utilization of vitamin C is improved by iron and the B complex. The B complex is helped in its work by A and D. Such minerals as zinc, manganese, magnesium, help in the utilization of vitamin C and the B complex.

"Biochemists," watching the assistance given the vitamins by the minerals, do not see in this the need for mineral-rich foods, but the need for mineral concentrates from their own laboratories. Unfortunately, these chemists know little of bios, hence mislead all with whom they come in contact. They seem never to think of foods as sources of vitamins and minerals.

Physicians, biochemists and dietitians employ a number of tricks in an endeavor to force the utilization of vitamins in those cases where there is failure of utilization. Such tricks as adding wheat germ oil to the vitamin A ration, or if this fails, using bile salts with the vitamin A. Bile salts are also used in connection with vitamins D, E and K. Lecithin is also employed to help the utilization of vitamin A.

In catarrhal conditions in which vitamin C is not well utilized they give additional carbohydrates, which tends to increase the catarrhal condition. Honey in addition to vitamin C is a favorite carbohydrate among the vitamin cure mongers. It is recommended that ascorbic acid tablets always be taken with honey, or other "easily digested" carbohydrate. This is because there is bacterial destruction of vitamin C in the colon. It does not seem to matter what happens to vitamin C or any other vitamin after it reaches the colon, for it has already gone beyond the point where it can be absorbed. Vitamins are also given by injection and then there is the method of giving such large amounts of the vitamin concentrates that "limited utilization will still mean adequate stores." In some quarters it is recommended that natural vitamins (extracts) be used along with the synthetic vitamins to assure the use of the latter. All of this nonsense belongs to the drug superstition and will not be engaged in by any rational man or woman. Every hospital, clinic and every physician's office is full of the failure of this program.

When we are not physical and mental drunkards, when we have not surfeited ourselves--our metabolism--we can find all the elements we need in the everyday natural foods found in our markets, or grown in our gardens and orchards, but when surfeited, we can starve to death with our system loaded with "good nourishing food"--the very elements for the lack of which we are dying. No more obvious example of this fact. can be given than that of the great and rapid increase in the number of red blood cells in anemic patients when placed upon a fast, or the improvement of the bones of rachitic children and animals when fasted.

It is asserted that allergies to fruits rich in C are common and those so afflicted must turn to other sources for their supply of C. Fruit "allergies" are largely or wholly fictions and grow out of improper use of fruits. I take people who are "allergic" to the citrus fruits and put them on a citrus fruit diet and their supposed allergy does not show up. Fruit "allergies" are largely the outgrowth of wrong combinations.

There are other sources of C besides fruits. Cabbage, green and red peppers, practically all fresh green leaves, etc., possess this vitamin in adequate amounts. One does not have to rely on extracts and synthetic concoctions. It is characteristic of dietitians, "biochemists," physicians, etc., that they turn to artificial sources of "vitamins" instead of resorting to natural foods.

Vitamins tend to crowd out all other important nutrients and to cause dietitians, physicians and others to neglect other important food elements. This is a very unfortunate fact, for even the vitamins are valueless in the absence of these other nutrients. "Investigators have conclusively shown," says Dr. Philip Norman, "that there are other principles as important as the vitamins and that their absence negatives the value of the vitamins just as much as the absence of the vitamins negatives the food value of the others. Paradoxical as it may sound, it is the very element of the population which could afford a good food balance among which a devitalized diet is observed most frequently. The poorer classes, eating coarser bread and utilizing all the vegetable parings and fats, subsist on a diet much richer in vitamins and minerals."

We must also avoid over-emphasizing the importance of vitamins in nutrition. They are but one of many factors, all of which are of equal importance and none of which is of value in the absence of the others. Health, growth and strength cannot be maintained in an ideal manner without any of the essential nutritive elements. A lack of any of the nutritive elements constitutes a deficiency and the resulting effects of this lack may rightly be termed a "deficiency disease."

Dr. Casimir Funk has said: "We are handicapped by imperfect knowledge. Views are often expressed as to the exaggerated importance assigned to the vitmains. There is no doubt vitamins do not mean everything in nutrition."

Above all we must not permit ourselves to be mislead by the present commercial exploitation of vitamins. "Concentrated" vitamin-carrying substances are offered us as supplements to our diets. Great claims are made for the value of these things. Man's nutritive needs are coordinated With the supplies of Nature, we may be sure that their concentration (assuming that they are really concentrated in the advertised preparations) can be of no special value to us.

As will be shown in another chapter, our ability to utilize vitamins depends upon the presence of other elements in our diet. To eat concentrated vitamins and not consume these other elements in equal proportions would simply waste much of the vitamins. We need not only vitamins, but vitamins in ideal combinations with other elements and only the plant kingdom knows how to put up these vitamins. The plant kingdom is our ideal source of vitamins.