In addition, plant breeding today often concentrates on improving food's appearance, pest resistance and shipping resilience rather than increasing its nutritional value. Supplements help make up the difference. Numerous studies show that supplements can help prevent degenerative diseases and often can be part of an effective treatment program. On a preventive level, they also ensure we have enough nutrients for our needs. Human cells need a constant, abundant supply of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fats.
Nutrients also protect against environmental toxins and the cellular damage they cause.
Whether from food or water toxins, mercury in dental fillings, or aluminum in cookware and antiperspirants, our bodies are bombarded with a huge variety of toxins. Such exposure taxes the body's detoxification system that relies on specific vitamins and minerals. Inadequate nutrient levels in the face of rising demand may lead to health problems. 9 Tap water can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and much of our drinking supply also contains fluoride. 10 Industrial chemicals and wastes, as well as pesticides and other farm chemicals, seep through the soil and contaminate the water table.