Why is the nutrient concentration decreasing?
One answer may be in the differences in testing from many years ago like failing to completely clean the vegetables giving some differences in nutritional content. Another answer could be because we now be growing bigger fruits and vegetables but the nutrient content is not any more. Essentially, less is more. Also the the higher the plant yield the lower the nutrient content. Farming practices also use more chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides which allow the farmers to harvest the crops earlier giving less time for the absorption of nutrients from the soil. Let's not forget the fact that our soil is already becoming mineral depleted.
The health of our population is getting drastically worse. If we are what we eat, and all of the materials to build a healthy body comes from our food, then we are becoming short on our supplies. Our bodies can not function correctly if they don't have the correct tools to work with. If you didn't think taking a multivitamin was important before than hopefully this information will change your mind. By supplementing your diet with a simple whole food multivitamin, you can replenish the vitamins and minerals that are not getting supplied by your diet. I am not suggesting that you take a "pill" instead of eating a well balanced diet, I am just suggesting that you enhance your diet with a multivitamin.
1. Davis D. Declining Fruit and Vegetable Nutrient Composition: What is the Evidence?. HortScience. February 2009;44:15-19.
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Looks good Lee Ann! -Ashley
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic to get us thinking... 5-40% loss of nutritional value in our foods!? Such a wide number, I'm so glad I live in a city where people let me shop from their backyard gardens! At least they can tell me first-hand of thier farming practices.
ReplyDeleteDr LeeAnn,
ReplyDeleteI remember reading an article years ago about this very same subject. The key point that I took away was this: it takes 10 red bell peppers to equal the same amount of nutrients from 1 red bell pepper from 30 years ago! Wow...everyone should be supplementing their already healthy diet :)
Hi LeeAnn,
ReplyDeleteThis all reminds me a little bit about re inventing the wheel. Somehow, somebody decided that quantity and size is more important than quality. It is somewhat of a naive perception to think that if we grow something faster and bigger that it will be better for us. I truly believe that the current farming science will have to scale back and do damage control not to far from now. Producing more food and preventing pests from damaging crops is a noble idea, but as we know, mother nature is more complex than that. Corporate profits and greed have created an environment that looks at food simply in terms of calories and taste. They have convinced the federal government that the way we produce food is the best way to go. Never mind that in Europe, genetically modified food is not an option. As a matter of fact, you can't buy American beef in Europe, it is banned. Sooner or later, America will have to look outside the box. In the meantime, let's celebrate the organic back yard gardens.
This information is critical! So many patients comment that they want to get their nutrient needs from their diet. Sure, they can get their nutrition from their diet - provided they eat bushels and bushels of food each day.
ReplyDeleteThis topic needs to get much more attention.