All of this results in mineral deficient bodies,
from which comes an abundance of health problems and degenerative
diseases. A few of the major symptoms and illness linked
to mineral deficiencies are osteoporosis, bone and muscle
weakness, growth failure, mental apathy, paralysis, glucose
intolerance, anemia, poor wound healing, changes in hair,
skin and nails, and liver problems. A lack of minerals can
also lead to weight gain, as a deficiency leaves your body
craving minerals and never feeling satiated. A shortage of
even one mineral in your body can trigger all sorts of problems.
In 1936, Rex Beach presented
document #264 to the US Senate, which discussed Dr. Charles
Northen’s research on the prevalent mineral depletion
of America’s soil. At that time, North America’s
soils were estimated to be hugely lacking in mineral content
and 99% of Americans were considered mineral deficient. Dr.
Northen conducted experiments in which he restored the mineral
balance to the soil of one area of a crop and left another
area alone. The plants grown in mineral-rich soil consistently
yielded healthier crops free of pests and fungus.
Around the same time, famed
soil scientist Dr. William Albrecht was performing studies
on calcium content in soils. Albrecht’s results showed
that sufficient calcium levels produced plants with higher
quantity and quality of protein. Dr. Northen concluded, “Healthy
plants mean healthy people. We can’t raise a strong
race on a weak soil.”
Studies showed then, and maintain
today, that the vegetables, fruits, grains, milk and even
animal products that are eaten today, do not provide the same
nutrition as they did 100 years ago. It is impossible for
a person today to acquire all his mineral needs from food
because our soils have become so deficient. Hundreds of years
of farming the soil, combined with the effects of pesticides,
herbicides, and air and water pollution, have slowly drained the
soil of its vital elements.
In 1936, the importance of minerals
in food was a relatively new concept that Dr. Charles Northen
and Dr. William Albrecht were only beginning to introduce
to the scientific community. Their research and experimentation
produced startling truths about the importance of minerals
in soil and the effect of mineral depletion on the health
of our bodies. Studies today confirm Dr. Northen’s conclusion
that the mineral content of soil does in fact affect the mineral
content of the food grown in it. Unfortunately, 68 years later,
little has been done to better the mineral content of North
America’s soil. The 1992 Earth Summit soil mineral depletion
report showed soil depletion in North America to be at 85
percent, the highest in the world. This is a sad statistic
for a country that is supposed to be healthy and prosperous.
Fortunately, it is possible
to ensure sufficient mineral intake. See our Health Tips section for information about mineral supplements and eating
right.
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