DIET AND HEALTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4464, 12 June 1930, Page 1

DIET AND HEALTH.

Additions to knowledge About the vitamins, or accessory food factors, are being made with great rapidity, says the Times. A few years ago, for example, it was believed that Vitamin A served the double function of promoting growth and preventing the onset oi rickets. Thanks to the work of Professor ,-md Mrs. Mellanby, however, evidence soon became available that Vitamin A is the agent responsible for maintaining bodily resistance. It was shown that rich supplies of Vitamin A are present in the livers uf a large number of animals and l'nrlher that carrots, green vegetables, Imtter and egg-yolk contain supplies. The study has now been pursued from a- different angle. The British Journal of Experimental Pathology describes experiments with the substance known as “Carotene,'’ which favour the view that the efficacy, as sources of Vitamin A. of carrots, green vegetables and even butter and egg-yolk depends on the presence of carotene and that it should prove valuable" as both a prophylactic and a therapeutic agent. It is much easier to administer than liver-fat and may he expected to net more quickly. Incidentally the popular belief in the value of carrots and green vegetables find a new justification. These articles of diet, il would appear, play an important, and even essential, part in fortifying the body against infection. Vegetable soups ought, on this showing, i,i occupy an important part in the food of children, for, as is well known, the best part, of the vegetable remains in the water in which it is boiled.