The thing that _really_ is not discussed in mainstream articles is that our bodies get rid of this crap using nutrients. Real vitamins and minerals from real food--they do real work, they matter. More folate and B12, more magnesium and zinc, selenium and molybdenum and all sorts of unnamed substances in real food that help our bodies use all these things (though I certainly find supplements to be useful in this process).
The party line that "a balanced diet provides plenty of nutrients," when said balanced diet is a reflection of the USDA food pyramid, is not at all in sync with a world in which our bodies have WAY more work to do than for most of human history, our food is less nutritious than in the past, and most people don't cook their own food regardless.
