11. Food Allergies: The omission of whole food groups from the diet, as in the case of individuals allergic to gluten or lactose, can mean the loss of significant dietary sources of nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin or calcium.
12. Crop Nutrient Losses: Some agricultural soils are deficient in trace elements. Decades of intensive agriculture can overwork and deplete soils, unless all the soil nutrients, including trace elements, are regularly replaced. This means that food crops can be depleted of nutrients due to poor soil management. In one U.S. Government survey, levels of essential minerals in crops were found to have declined by up to 68% over a four year period in the 1970’s. Imagine how the crops are today.
13. Accidents and Illness: Burns lead to a loss of protein and essential trace nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Surgery increases the need for zinc. Vitamin E and other nutrients are also involved in the cellular repair mechanism. The repair of broken bones will be retarded by an inadequate supply of calcium and Vitamin C and conversely enhanced by a full dietary supply. The challenge of infection places high demand on the nutritional resources of zinc, magnesium and Vitamins B6, B5 and Zinc.
14. Stress: Chemical, physical and emotional stresses can increase the body’s requirement for Vitamin B6, B5 and C. Air pollution increases the requirements for Vitamin E.
15. P.M.S. Research has demonstrated that up to 60% of women suffering from symptoms of premenstrual tension, such as headaches, irritability, bloatedness, breast tenderness, lethargy and depression can benefit from supplementation of Vitamin B6.
16-20 Continued…
Daryl Conant, M.Ed