Why is Nutrition important? Approximately two thirds of deaths in the United States are caused by degenerative disease. Of the 10 leading causes of death, 4 are associated with diet (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some kinds of cancer and 2 with excessive alcohol consumption (accidents and suicide) Public Health Service, 1994. What most people do not know is that these causes of death were not prevalent until the turn of the 19th century, the beginning of the industrial revolution. Almost nobody got cancer or heart disease before 1905. The first heart attack was described in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1908. In fact, if you look in a medical book from the 1860s, you won't find anything on coronary atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). All the problems started when people started to leave the farm for the city and change their dietary habits. Our bodies do not need much to be in optimal health: Fuel (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water.) Vitamins which regulate metabolism and assist in biochemical processes that release energy. Minerals which are needed for the proper composition of body fluids, the formation of blood and bone, and the functioning of nerves. Amino acids which are needed to make proteins that are used to make you (i.e. muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, nails, hair, blood... everything except bile and urine). Proteins also make enzymes which act as catalysts (activators) of the biochemical processes. The problem is the foods we eat do not contain the vitamins and minerals they use to and should contain. Do you eat a balanced diet? A diet with a variety of foods A diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol A diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and grain products 3 or more servings of various vegetables 2 or more servings of various fruits 6 or more servings of grain products Use sugar, salt only in moderation Some people truly strive to eat a balanced diet. The produce that you buy at the market is picked before it is fully ripe with all the potency of vitamins and mineral. Also, the soil in which the crops are grown is depleted of nutrients due to constant use season after season with out rest. Additionally, when the soil is "fertilized" it is done in a non-organic manner. Not only are our foods depleted in nutrients, what we do get is quickly being use by our bodies to fight environmental and emotional stress. The body depletes its supplies of B-complex and a host of minerals and amino acids as the stress levels. (Side note: "stressed" is not "desserts" spelled backwards. Attacking stress with sugar is not healthy.) The point is we all need to supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals to maintain optimum health.