Some Major Reasons For Bad Cellular Health

Nutrient Content Of Foods Severely Degraded Since 1950s

Did you know that starting around 1950 the food supply in at least North America has been severely degraded?  For example, the nutrient content of an orange in 1980 was about 8 times more than the current content of the produce and vegetables being produced.  Why does this matter? Since all animals are made from protein, and that protein is derived entirely from plants, where does that leave the nutrient content of the food we consume on a daily basis derived mainly from plants?

According to academic research highlighted by Cinzia Cuneo & Georgetown University, over the past two decades, many scientists have endeavored to compare nutrient data gathered during the 1950s and 1960s with more recent nutrient analyses. The practice of intensive agriculture, known as "mono-culture," has depleted the soil, while fruits and vegetables are subjected to numerous treatments to increase their resistance, and a wide range of fertilizers are used to enhance their growth. Seeds are chosen to meet standardized norms, despite the negative impact on variety and nutritional value. The apples, carrots, and peaches found in our supermarkets are often picked prematurely to meet the ever-increasing demand for higher yields, resulting in nutritionally deficient produce.

The nutritional value of fruits and vegetables has changed over time due to various factors. While an orange from the 1950s was rich in vitamin A, which is essential for our vision and immune system, today we would need to consume 21 oranges to get the same amount. Onions and potatoes no longer contain any trace of it, and the iron content in meat has been halved. Similarly, the calcium in broccoli has been divided by four.  Is it any wonder why we need to supplement? But how do we know how much we need on a daily basis and if we're actually absorbing what we need if we only consume it by the oral route?

To get the same amount of vitamin C found in an apple from the past, we would need to eat 100 apples today. However, it's worth noting that many factors affect the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, and some of these factors are actually improving the nutritional content. Upon closer inspection, it's evident that changes in sampling methods, measurement techniques, and geographical variation can all impact the nutrient values. Additionally, the random variation in nutrient values from one piece of produce to the next is more significant than most people realize.

It is a verified fact that the nutritional value of the agricultural products we currently possess is not as high as that of the previous generations, including our parents and grandparents. Over the course of the past century, the levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamin C in fruits and vegetables have been gradually decreasing. It is worth noting that this finding was not published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but rather by a research team led by Donald Davis from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. This groundbreaking study utilized the USDA's nutritional data from both the 1950s and 1999, focusing on 43 different types of vegetables and fruits. The decline in nutritional content varies across these produce, ranging from a 6 percent decrease in protein to a significant 38 percent decrease in riboflavin. Therefore, the term "half" is merely an approximation. There are two primary factors contributing to this decline in nutrition. Firstly, soil depletion stands as the main cause of this situation. Secondly, the development of new plant varieties aimed at increasing yield also plays a role. Evidence suggests that when plants are cultivated to produce larger yields in a shorter period, they often fail to generate or absorb the same amount of nutrients at the same rate.

Every Day Activities Play Major Role In Health Along With Cellular Nutrition

Vitamin E, vitamin C, B-carotene and selenium are involved in the overall cellular anti-oxidant defense against deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species. Smoking has been shown to lower the level of vitamin C and B-carotene in plasma.

The saying "we are what we eat" may need a slight modification to "we are what we absorb." While it is important to consume enough nutrients on paper to meet our recommended nutritional needs, the crucial factor lies in our body's ability to absorb those nutrients. Without proper absorption, the nourishment obtained from food alone is insufficient, leading to a heightened risk of malnutrition.

10 General Practical Tips To Enhance Daily Nutrient Absorption

1. Eat whole, natural foods.
2. Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
3. Eat naturally-raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
4. Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
5. Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils—coconut and palm.
6. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
7. Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
8. Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
9. Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
10. Use herbal teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
11. Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
12. Use unrefined Celtic sea salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
13. Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller pressed flax oil.
14. Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia.
15. Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
16. Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
17. Use only natural supplements.
18. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
19. Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
20. Practice forgiveness.

What If General Guidelines Like The Above Aren't For You?

Literally all guidelines we see in print along with what we are told by practitioners is simply that: general guidelines for the masses, but you are not the mass. You need individualized help to determine what your body needs on a daily basis. Contact us for a complementary free phone/video call to determine what you need.

References:

http://www.utexas.edu/news/2004/12/01/nr_chemistry/

https://www.soscuisine.com/blog/orange-1950s-equivalent-21-todays-oranges/

https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/cctp-638-yy326/claims-and-facts/nutrition-level-of-the-garden-produce-now-12-that-of-in-the-1950s/

https://badgut.org/information-centre/health-nutrition/minerals-we-are-what-we-absorb/#:~:text=We%20are%20what%20we%20eat,risk%20of%20malnutrition%20is%20high.

Common Mineral Antagonists That Harm You

Antagonism means opposing, so the opposing elements on the graph are similar to a villain in film that opposes the protagonist, or the "good guy" in the film. There is no argument about this because it is basic chemistry. (Source)

Many do not realize the minerals our bodies need -- and most of us don't get the appropriate targeted amounts -- act as spark plugs for the various systems of the body. If our bodies absorb certain opposing elements to these minerals, the body does many things with them. One of the largest is the body replaces the beneficial minerals with toxic substances such as lead, cadmium and others. The bones often are places where the body places lead to push it away from the main body systems. Unfortunately often times these toxic substances often "come out of hiding" when we do certain things such as detoxification.

Almost all of the body's metabolic processes depend on essential minerals. They are necessary for maintaining the pH balance of our bodies, producing energy, supporting our immune systems, and maintaining our bones and teeth. Minerals are not made by the body.

Common Mineral Antagonists That Harm You

The synergistic and antagonistic interactions between minerals are depicted in this interactive graph. This demonstrates the delicate equilibrium between minerals. Copper and zinc complement each other, but for their effects to be maximal, their availability must be balanced. An excess of copper in the body will interfere with zinc's ability to do its job. This antagonistic connection can also be used to detoxify excessively high levels of minerals. If necessary, for instance, we could employ high zinc levels to lower excessive copper levels.

What Are Optimal vs Recommended Daily Intake?

The ODA believes the minimum quantity is fulfilled and aims to exceed it in order to attempt and prevent disease from occurring, maybe repair disease, or fend off the effects of aging on the body. In contrast, the RDA levels are intended to avoid disease caused by a deficit in a given nutrient. As you can see on the chart, most people in the world have severe deficiencies if they rely only on the government RDA or no recommended daily intake guidelines at all.

What Are Some Of The Reasons For Low Intakes?

One of the largest is the food is picked from the ground far too early to be able to be shipped faster while the food ripens in the shipping truck, but it does not obtain enough from the ground because of early picking. The others is that our gut immune system health is often in such bad shape that we can't even absorb it from the food if we obtain it. The others are metabolic problems along with interactions between nutrients, toxins and other factors

How do we scientifically prove imbalances?

As was stated above, we use questionnaires, tissue analysis, observations to show a systems biology perspective rather than only 1 method such as "snap shot in time" blood testing. Blood testing is very limited and that's because it's one of the transport mediums of the body and is technically a connective tissue. Therefore when we use a more "holistic" view and use different methods to determine imbalances based mostly on symptomatology, we tend to come to a much healthier way to determine what you body needs and how it needs it.

Common Drug & Nutrient Depletions

Many do not give a second thought as to what they are putting into their bodies and often see no other option when they are given orders for surgeries and prescriptions. The fact is that the graph shows common interactions between the "natural" substances in your body (if you have them) and common drugs we see daily. We have to realize that life is chemistry and when we neglect our bodies and lives, we often are given orders by the MD that are mainly acute and based on reductionist science. The bottom line is systems biology is not what they are paid to purvey to patients in a 10 minute office visit.