Modern Agriculture and the Problem of Nutrient Deficiency
It’s a paradox that can be difficult to understand: More people are classified as overweight or obese than ever before, yet most people aren’t getting nutrients that are essential for our bodies to function. Nutrient deficiency is an especial problem in the United States – where food is generally readily available. Being overfed and under-nourished just doesn’t make sense – until you understand modern agriculture, that is.
The Problem of Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiency is a real problem in the United States – a problem that many people do not fully understand. Many mislabel the cause of their health problems, because of a lack of understanding when it comes to the nutrients that are lacking in the food they buy. Believe it or not, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that nutrient deficiency is a widespread “public health issue.” The problem of nutrient deficiency is a result of many different factors, but the two main issues are:
- Eating Unhealthy Foods
- Eating Healthy Foods with No Nutrients
We all know that we eat a lot of unhealthy foods. Much of our diet consists of white flour, bad fats, and sugar. Not only are these foods lacking in nutrition, they are actually damaging the health of our bodies. Many age-related diseases are partially caused by consuming these types of unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, even when we eat foods that are healthy, we aren’t getting the nutrients we need to live a full and complete life.
The Problem with Modern Agriculture
Decades ago, fruits and vegetables had much more nutrients in them than they do today. This isn’t to say that it isn’t worth it to eat healthy – it’s just a sad fact we need to understand to live a healthy life. The main reason our food isn’t as nutrient dense as it used to be is because of soil depletion. Modern agricultural methods have stripped nutrients from the soil, which then results in nutrient deficient foods. The reason for soil depletion? There are many different factors, but one of the main problems is that farmers are growing pest-resistant, fast-growing vegetables, fruits, and grains, that are stripped of nutrients as the years pass. A study from the University of Texas found that there were “reliable declines” in the nutrients such as phosphorous, iron, protein, calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin B2 in our vegetables since 1950. Modern agriculture is focused more on production – size, appearance, and speed of growth, than actual nutrition. This is because our culture demands the kinds of foods we want to eat, whenever want them, and at an affordable price.
What to Do: Supplements Like Shilajit and Local Produce
There are a few ways to combat nutrient deficiency. First, we must understand the problem, and work to change our diets to eliminate unhealthy foods. Second, we must purchase local produce, which is often grown in richer soil, rather than mass-produced. Third, supplementing our diets with vitamins and minerals can really improve our health and energy levels. Shilajit is rich in minerals, as well as fulvic and humic acid. It boosts energy, heals adrenal fatigue, fights inflammation, and fills in the gaps where your diet is lacking. It’s time to take control of your health and nutrition!
