I read that nutrient amounts in foods have decreased since the 60's ...

[kdmama33]

... by as much as 9/10. But now I can't remember where I read that. Anyone know?

The information I found stated that conventional food purchased today has as little as 1/10 of the nutrients found in the same foods in the mid-twentieth century due to soil depletion. The same source said that organic foods have about 1/5 of the nutrients as conventional foods produced in the 1960s. Have you read this?

[Gale Force]

I've read about nutrient content in conventional foods and I have actually managed to get all of the food data that gets cited in the studies. I am not aware of data for organic foods.

In looking at the data I have tried to figure out how to test the soil fertility hypothesis but it just doesn't seem possible from the data. That is probably part of the story. The other part if the plant varieties.

I wrote about one review article on my blog: Nutrient Loss in the Food Supply.

[Chicharronita]

I've read this too.

Weston Price was deeply concerned about soil fertility. The soil scientist, William Albrecht, wrote part of the supplement of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration titled "Food is Fabricated Soil Fertility."

One of the ways we can find out if the food we're buying/growing is nutrient-dense is to get a refractometer to measure its Brix content. I've been meaning to get one for years.

In simple terms, Brix primarily is a measure of the carbohydrate level in plant juices, which can indicate the mineral status of the plant.

Here's some more info:

"What Is Brix?"

"The Quest for Nutrient-Dense Food--High-Brix Farming and Gardening"
Interview with Rex Harrill on Brix.

[toraji]

article about it here:
http://tinyurl.com/38xbv

though it does not talk about organic vs 60's conventional.

[Tcarwyn]

My mentor wrote a book on the subject, well researched, but out of print. You can get it on ebay ( for lots of $$$ a lot of people want it) and it should be back in print soon too.

The healing power of minerals and trace elements ; Paul Bergner

Tanya

[Leilalu]

Well, organic farming is suppossed to make fruits and veggies somewhere like 200% more nutritious!

Even in the Bible, the people were commanded to let the land rest every seven years. Can't remember where it talks about that. Anyone know?
I guess combined with current farming and use of pesticides, and not rotating crops and letting the land rest- it makes sense.

I have also heard that heirloom varieties can have much more nutrition! But what most people will find in the supermarkets are the varieties which have either been tampered with to make a strong crop, or just a plain, basic form of the fruit. I have heard that a lot of the heirloom, somewhat "strange" or different varieties can be much better for you. I personally love eating different kinds of apples and especially tomatoes!

[NotTheOnlyOne]

completely OT, but Leilalu, every time I see a post of yours I get that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. The last time it happened I had to go put on the cd! Although, it is a nice cd.....

[Leilalu]

Originally Posted by momtosimon

completely OT, but Leilalu, every time I see a post of yours I get that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. The last time it happened I had to go put on the cd! Although, it is a nice cd.....

It really is a great cd for kids though! very entertaining. How funny.

I can only stand a few of their songs over and over and that is one of them...teh lyrics are just too bizzare!

Ok, back on topic...lol

[Tcarwyn]

Originally Posted by Leilalu

Well, organic farming is suppossed to make fruits and veggies somewhere like 200% more nutritious!

!

that's true...but that still means it is alot less nutritious than it once was. According to research I have read, broccoli had 1/5 th the amount of calcium than it had in the 60's (and there are no statistics going back to like 100 years ago, in the 60's they aready had 40 years or so of chemical fertilizers behind them). The amount is double in organic produce...but that is still only 2/5th of what it was in the 60's...

I think biodynamic produce is better, at leat when it comes to minerals..since they add rock dust to the soil...

Tanya

[Leilalu]

Originally Posted by Tcarwyn

that's true...but that still means it is alot less nutritious than it once was. According to research I have read, broccoli had 1/5 th the amount of calcium than it had in the 60's (and there are no statistics going back to like 100 years ago, in the 60's they aready had 40 years or so of chemical fertilizers behind them). The amount is double in organic produce...but that is still only 2/5th of what it was in the 60's...

I think biodynamic produce is better, at leat when it comes to minerals..since they add rock dust to the soil...

Tanya

Very interesting.
Which makes it even more logical that these recent generations have so many health issues, and a pandemic of obesity(no offense to anyone with any fluff, I have some myself)
I mean, if we aren't being nourished......

[Tcarwyn]

absolutely...if it took one apple a day to keep the doctor away it now takes 5!

That's why I am still on the fence about supplementing....and I take magnesium at least....but maybe it is no longer possible o get all our nutrients from food and its probaly healthier to get fake vitamins than no vitamins at all...kwim?

Tanya

[Leilalu]

Originally Posted by Tcarwyn

absolutely...if it took one apple a day to keep the doctor away it now takes 5!

That's why I am still on the fence about supplementing....and I take magnesium at least....but maybe it is no longer possible o get all our nutrients from food and its probaly healthier to get fake vitamins than no vitamins at all...kwim?

Tanya

I am naturally not the kind of person who wants to supplement. But, I dunno. There may be a reason these days. BUT, I think it can be so difficult to pick vitamins, especially multi's that have no copper, no iron, no retinol palmitate, etc etc. I mean, not that small doses would be too harmful, but over time it really adds up. Not to mention, most iron in vitamins makes me stink.

[zzwhitejd]

Originally Posted by Leilalu

Even in the Bible, the people were commanded to let the land rest every seven years. Can't remember where it talks about that. Anyone know?

Exodus 23:10-12 (New American Standard Bible)

New American Standard Bible

The Sabbath and Land

10"(A)You shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield,
11but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

12"(B)Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

Cross references:

Exodus 23:10 : Lev 25:1-7
Exodus 23:12 : Ex 20:8-11; 31:15; 34:21; 35:2, 3; Lev 23:3; Deut 5:13

All of that foraging allowed the soil to replenish as much of the food that came up was not harvested and turned aback in to the soil.

And as for as supplementation, I use New Chapter organic whole food vitamins... they seem to do great by me.

Thanks for posting the info about Brix, I really need to do more reading on that one!