How to Counter the Soil Depletion of Nutrients with Supplements

Posted by Dr. Della Parker     on September 12, 2018

Fruits and vegetables are still an amazing way to get essential minerals and nutrients—especially when you compare the nutritional value of fast food and snacks. However, according to Scientific American, modern intensive agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil. A broader term for this is soil depletion.

IS SOIL DEPLETION REALLY A THING?

Depletion of soil nutrients is an agreed upon reality by most experts. There are some that push back about whether the lack of soil nutrients is impacting the food’s ability to metabolize vitamins and minerals. The proof is in the vegetables themselves. A study by the University of Texas by researchers in the chemistry and biochemistry departments compared 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 vitamins and minerals over the past half century.

WHICH SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD I TAKE?

The biggest deficits were for protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C.

MULTI VITAMIN: You can get most of these missing nutrients from a multi-vitamin. In a single tab you get calcium, riboflavin and vitamin C.

IRON SUPPLEMENTS: Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs throughout the rest of the body. Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron. If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

CALCIUM/MAGNESIUM: You can usually get a combination of calcium and magnesium as a supplement in a single tablet. These two supplements are usually paired because they work together to strengthen your bones. Normally, you would get these nutrients from green leafy vegetables.

PHOSPHORUS: This essential mineral is critical to hundreds of cellular processes. Phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It makes up about .05 percent of a baby’s weight and consists almost 1 percent of an adult’s body. Phosphorus is also needed to effectively move and contract muscles. It acts as an electrolyte within the body that helps with cellular activity, heart beat rhythms, and with balancing the body’s fluid levels.

You can purchase any of the supplements above at Stellar’s online supplement store. You can also get most of these supplements that are free from allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten, corn, yeast, and soybeans. These supplements are also free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

At Stellar Health and Wellness, we are moms and know how much work moms do. If you are a mom and want to focus on your wellness, contact Dr. Della Parker, Integrative Nutritionist Amy Hardesty, or Massage Therapist Yvonne Schroeder for an appointment today or call 503-344-6631.