NUTRITIONALLY BANKRUPT?
I love reading about studies in nutrition. Found an interesting read today, so I thought I'd share.
A landmark study from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was published in December 2004 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
They studied U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999 for 43 different vegetables and fruits, finding “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. Davis and his colleagues chalk up this declining nutritional content to the preponderance of agricultural practices designed to improve traits (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutrition.
“Efforts to breed new varieties of crops that provide greater yield, pest resistance and climate adaptability have allowed crops to grow bigger and more rapidly,” reported Davis, “but their ability to manufacture or uptake nutrients has not kept pace with their rapid growth.” There have likely been declines in other nutrients, too, he said, such as magnesium, zinc and vitamins B-6 and E, but they were not studied in 1950 and more research is needed to find out how much less we are getting of these key vitamins and minerals.
Can you imagine what this study would look like today.... 13 years later? Do you honestly think our food sources are getting better or worse? Consumers NEED to do their research and realize why it is our population is getting HEAVIER and SICKER by the day.
Natural supplementation is a staple for ME. I don't have the time to meal prep daily or even weekly. Our lives will only continue to get busier and more hectic. Are you meal prepping 4-6 organic whole food meals every single day without fail? If not, are you full of energy and at your optimal weight? Are your children aware of how to make healthy choices as well when given options in the school cafeteria or in the drive thru line when you're too busy to cook?
Research and knowledge is KEY. Spending time actually learning about what you're putting in your body day in and day out could save your life and bank account.
Principal of the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences AP Coordinator for the Hazleton Area School District
7 年Such a sad commentary on GMOs. How do we make up for what we are losing ?
Travel Softball Coach and Portrait Photographer
7 年Very impressive writing and full of good intentions!
Certified Grief Coach/MHFA - 5x Best Selling Author - Hope and Grief Recovery - Suicide Prevention and Recovery
7 年This is excellent Laura Ann and timely. I have not updated my photo on LinkedIn, however, suffice it to say I was 215 and was not eating appropriately. Fast forward to my annual 2016 Physical - imagine knowing that you are not in the best of shape and your physician tells you that you are a mere increment away from being a diabetic, coupled with other issues that affect your well being. I became more aware of what I was eating and doing. It is about your nutritional intake and not dieting per se. I changed what ate, how much I ate and drank (including what I drank) and improved my exercise regimen. Results are results - down 47 pounds (over a period of 3.5 months), no longer at risk of diabetes and my bp is in normal range. It's all about balance. I think that is one of the issues that is at hand. I learn about the food that I consume, where it comes from, whole foods and minimize as much processed foods as possible. We as parents have to demonstrate or the message becomes mixed and veiled.