The Wonders of CARROT JUICE
Carrot juice, because of its many healthful benefits, is frequently called a the “miracle juice.” A large number of people–throughout the United States and in all walks of life–suffering from various ailments have found that the inclusion of carrot juice in their diet has greatly improved their health. Countless others have found it to be a valuable “protective” agent in the building and maintenance of health in both children and adults, while its delicious flavor makes it popular with all members of the family as a beverage –plain or combined with other juices.
Gold mine of nutrients.
Carrot juice is one of the richest sources of vitamin A that can be used in the daily diet. It also ranks high as a source of the other vitamins, especially those of the B complex. Its mineral content is equally rich, and includes calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, and iron.
The vitamin A content of carrot juice helps to strengthen the eyes. In many cases where defective eyesight was noted–as during the war–the condition was overcome by fortifying the diet with fresh carrot juice.
One of the first evidences of vitamin A deficiency may be noted in the difficulty of adjusting the sight in a dim light, as in entering a dark room, or theatre, from a brightly lighted hall. A more serious symptom is the inability to regain focus of the road after the glare of passing automobile headlights. This sight defect is known as “night blindness,” or “glare-blindness,” and has been the cause of many serious accidents.
Vitamin A is essential in keeping healthy condition the mucous membranes which line all the cavities of the body. The mucous membrane may be described as consisting of two layers. The top layer, ~nown as epithelium is composed of billions of cells. Close under the epithelium lies the mucous membrane, a thin layer of involuntary muscle fibers., which are extremely pliable and elastic. The vitality of this lining depends upon an adequate supply of vitamin A. When a deficiency of vitamin A exists the cells harden and degenerate into a horny rough surface, obstructing the normal function of the secretion of the disinfectant mucous. Infections resulting from vitamin A deficiency may affect the bladder or kidneys, the alimentary tract, the mouth, tonsils, sinuses, the tongue, ear canal, eyes or tear ducts.
Vitamin A promotes growth of bones and teeth, the maintenance of healthy body tissues, and the maintenance of normal glandular functions. It aids in the resistance to infections. Vitamin A is especially necessary in the diet of expectant mothers to build up and maintain the health of both mother and the developing child. Fresh carrot juice should be included in the diet not only during pregnancy, but also during the period of nursing the baby.
In addition to those already mentioned, some of the symptoms which have been traced to vitamin A deficiency are: dry, scaly and rough skin, especially on the arms and legs; intestinal disorders and diarrhea; poor appetite; retarded growth; lack of vigor loss in weight and physical weakness; atrophy of the glands; poor development of teeth through defective formation of enamel and dentine–and poor gum structure, and may also be a causative factor in cases of sterility; nerve degeneration and stones in the kidney and bladder.
It is pointed out by many authorities that where a vitamin A deficiency exists, it may be the result of either inadequate amount of this vitamin in the diet, or of faulty metabolism. The latter condition may be a symptom of some physical disorder which requires diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
Another cause of vitamin A deficiency is the practice of using mineral oil which carries off the vitamin A before it has been absorbed by the system. Mineral oil should not be used in salad dressing for this reason, and, under any condition, should be used only on the advice of a physician, usually as a temporary measure only.
When changes occur in the tis sues because of vitamin A deficiency, the natural protection against bacteria is removed and the tissues become diseased. An adequate intake of vitamin A–especially in carrot juice-will help overcome infection.
Vitamin A is soluble in fat but not in water. Consequently, surplus vitamin A is not lost in the body fluids, such as urine, perspiration, etc., but is stored for future use. Approximately 958 of all such surplus vitamin A is stored in the liver, with small amounts in the ~dneys, lungs and under the skin.
