Minerals Are Not In Our Food Anymore

Minerals are very important for our health, but with today’s farming practices most food has very little mineral content like it used to. Today the crops are grown in depleted soil that has had chemical fertilizers added and years of pesticide spray used on it. Farmland used to be rotated, different crops, times of rest and no chemicals long ago. Organic compost was used to boost the soil content also. This kept the mineral content viable. Animals grazed in the times of rest (and defecated), periods of flooding brought minerals to the soil as well. The minerals in our diet are essential for a variety of bodily functions. They are important for building strong bones and teeth, blood, skin, hair, nerve function, muscle and for metabolic processes such as those that turn the food we eat into energy.

Signs of mineral deficiency include:

• constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain.
• decreased immune system.
• diarrhea.
• irregular heart beat.
• loss of appetite.
• muscle cramping.
• nausea and vomiting.
• numbness or tingling in the extremities.

If you are eating organic you are probably getting more minerals in your food than conventionally farmed foods but supplementation may still be prudent. Click on the word supplementation too find a great supplement and search for other items you may need.

Submitted by Tricia @ Nutrition by Tricia