Protect Yourself from Mineral Deficiencies More Information Did you know that we have to eat significantly MORE food today to get the same nutrients our parents got in the past? It’s sad but true. Over-farming, chemical fertilizers and the stripping of nutrients to make processed foods means that food – even fresh fruits and vegetables -- are no longer what they used to be. "Government data from both American and the United Kingdom have shown that the concentration and range of essential nutrients in the food supply has declined in the last few decades, with double digit declines of iron, zinc, calcium, selenium and other essential nutrients across a wide range of foods.