John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

I love to fossick around in often obscure scientific data for little gems and recently found a beauty.
I have long advocated two main reasons for taking a good nutritional supplement: The first is that some health problems readily respond to taking nutrients at levels higher than you could get from even the best food. The second is that the nutrient value of food has steadily fallen; this is our discussion today.
An article titled 'Declining Fruit and Vegetable Nutrient Composition: What is the Evidence?” appeared in HortScience (Feb 2009). The report covered many aspects of food nutrient levels, but mentioned clear evidence linking falling nutrient levels to modern agricultural practices.
Fertilisers
Evidence showed a clear relationship between modern fertiliser use, crop yield and mineral levels. Without a doubt, crop yields have increased by using fertilisers and high yielding varieties, but as crop yields increased there has been a corresponding drop in mineral levels. This was referred to as the 'dilution effect”. The study commented that today's vegetables are larger, but contain more carbohydrates and less vitamins and minerals.
A really telling comparison was made in a side-by-side planting of broccoli and grain. The lower yielding older varieties and higher yielding newer varieties were planted alongside each other in the same soil. The newer varieties had up to 40 per cent lower levels of minerals. The paper also raised the question of faster growing new varieties spending less time in the soil –reducing mineral uptake.
Servings too low
As with all information it is only of value when we apply it and here there are two appropriate responses. The first is that we need to eat even more fruit and vegetables. Maybe the seven servings are too low or we need to double the serving sizes.
The second piece of advice is to use a good quality multi mineral supplement as it is the minerals that are at greatest risk from declining nutrient values in our food. The better mineral supplements are chelated, which means they are bonded to amino acids. It is best when supplements combine these essential minerals with the most important vitamins and antioxidants. For most people, most of the time, this and a good Omega 3 are the only nutritional supplements they need.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health.
For product information visit www.abundant.co.nz If you have questions or would like a free health plan phone 07 578 9051 or 0800 423 559
or email [email protected] You can join John's newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz