Can’t you get everything you need from food?

Yes, you SHOULD be able to, but the hash reality is you won’t. The problem with commercial farming is that economics are involved. Industry can make cost-effective choices that won’t immediately impact your food in the short term. However, what happens over time is you “breed out” nutrients.

Vegetables, fruits and grains - It starts with the soil. NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which is what we use to fortify soil so that we can grow crops. The problem is that it’s missing or has extremely low amounts of other nutrients.

Here are some vegetable stats that show the decreased in minerals from 1940-1991

Magnesium -24%

Calcium -46%

Iron -27%

Copper -76%

Animal Products – The problem here is what we feed the animals. Most animals naturally 

consumed some sort of vegetation compared to now; we feed them corn, grains and soy.

Here are some stats on animal products from 1940-2002

A landmark study on the topic by Donald Davis and his team of researchers 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.

The Organic Consumers Association cites several other studies with similar findings: A Kushi Institute analysis of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997 found that average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels 37 percent; vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent. A similar study of British nutrient data from 1930 to 1980, published in the British Food Journal,found that in 20 vegetables the average calcium content had declined 19 percent; iron 22 percent; and potassium 14 percent. Yet another study concluded that one would have to eat eight oranges today to derive the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from one - isn't that crazy!

Without the multi, I am convinced that the other supplements you take will not be as effective. Not only is the multi the foundation of a great supplement strategy, it should be the one thing you start using. Many people experience increased energy, better moods, mental clarity and better workout recovery.

When it comes to choosing the right vitamins, price doesn’t matter. The label is what is the most important. If you’re considering a vitamin supplement, read the label and compare information as well as ingredients. Look for higher quality minerals and proper doses of vitamins. To ensure you are getting quality, I suggest using trusted brands.

If you want a Multi-Vitamin suggestion, email me at: