Declining mineral levels in food suggest potential crisis

According to research published by the UK Food Commission this month, food mineral content studied in 1940 compared to 2002 show a stark change for the worse.

For example, the iron content in 15 varieties of meat had decreased on average 47%, with some showing a decline as high as 80%. The iron content in milk had dropped over 60%.

Mineral loss was seen across the board, icnluding crucial nutrients like magnesium, zinc, calcium, and copper. One would need to eat 4 carrots now to get the same magnesium content as one carrot in 1940.

Intensive farming on exhausted land and manufacturing/processing methods appear to be two likely causes of the mineral decline. The food industry is under intense pressure to produce cheap, instead of nutrient-dense food.

The UK Food Standards Agency, which publishes this report, admits that something is seriously wrong with the levels of nutritional awareness in Europe.

Bonnie - until growers and processors can reverse their shift from making cheap, nutrient-less food to more nutrient-dense food, we need to supplement our diet with nutrients. At the least, it is crucial to supplement with a high potency multivitamin/mineral. Extra calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, omega 3, and probiotics are other essential nutrients. Of course, I always recommend seeking the advice of a licensed health professional to assess your individual nutritional needs.