Clean, green New Zealand – with our rugged coastlines, vast mountains and beautiful beaches. Surely such a natural, relatively untouched landscape would produce rich organic soil, right?

In fact, this is not necessarily the case. And when it comes to food, there is a common misconception that our fruit and vegetables are nutrient dense because New Zealand has nutrient-rich soils.

But when looking at soils, mineral density is actually dependent on the rock bed, and the breakdown and release of those minerals into the soil. And as a country and land, NZ is still very young – meaning our soils are also very young. Beyond this, where our soils have been rich in nutrients, our agricultural and farming practices have continually chipped away at our supplies, without a way to replace them.

Today, we'll look at the mineral density of NZ soil; exploring how the impact of our farming practices, the key nutrients we are missing in our soil and produce, and what you can do about adding them back into your diet.

New Zealand Soils

New Zealand is situated on the Alpine Fault, where the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates meet. As a result, NZ has had ample volcanic activity and the majority of our soils get their mineral density from our volcanic rock bed.

Volcanic soils have a great ability to hold carbon. While this means that plants are able to flourish, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to have the micronutrients required for optimal human health.

Volcanic soils have a great ability to hold carbon. While this means that plants are able to flourish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to have the micronutrients required for optimal human health.

In NZ there are a number of well-known deficiencies within our soils:

• Iodine
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Chromium
• Boron

The key to great nutrition is understanding – and then sourcing – all the macronutrients, micronutrients, minerals and vitamins and antioxidants your body needs. In part, this is done for us naturally, as nutrients in soils are transferred to plants when they grow. However, if the nutrients we need are not in the soil in the first place, then they cannot be in our food. This is why soil depletion is such a critically important issue – one that it’s worth being aware of.

...if the nutrients we need are not in the soil in the first place, then they cannot be in our food.

 

What's the relationship between our food and soil?

Plants extend their roots into the ground to absorb the nutrients needed for growth. Then, bacteria and fungi work in synergy to help plants absorb the minerals and vitamins in the soil. Plants then use minerals just like we do, as enzyme cofactors for essential functions such as growing and immunity.

The problem is, minerals cannot be made by living organisms, so if the minerals are not in the soil – and we know they're not – then they cannot be in our food.

Minerals cannot be made by living organisms so if the minerals are not in the soil – and we know they're not – then they cannot be in our food.

The issue of soil depletion isn't unique to New Zealand alone. While studying nutrition I was blown away but how severe this issue has become internationally.

How are modern farming techniques affecting our food?

As you can see the first part of the problem is that the nutrients aren’t in the soil to begin with.

Livestock farmers have known this for a long time. Since the 1950’s most have given their sheep zinc supplements to help support their immune system against prevalent issues like facial eczema. They will also test selenium levels and give selenium injections to dairy cattle.

Another contributing factor is our modern farming techniques.

A very significant factor when it comes to soil depletion is that we're not paying farmers enough to put trace minerals back into the soil.

When the nutrients are in the soil, we're intensively farming the land to keep up with the food demand. In doing so we're stripping these nutrients out of the top layer of the soil. So a very significant factor when it comes to soil depletion is that we're not paying farmers enough to put trace minerals back into the soil.

The problem with Nitrogen

However, arguably the biggest issue we’re facing right now is the use of nitrogen in growing our food. When you put a lot of nitrogen on a plant you speed up the growth rate, but in the process you lose up to 90% of the plant's root structure.

If the plant's roots are only growing into the soil around 10% of the way they would without nitrogen, then the plants access to nutrients is heavily limited and we're breaking down the relationship between bacteria and fungi.

So, in losing the root structure of plants, we're losing the capacity for the roots to access the minerals within the soil.

In losing the root structure, we’re losing the capacity for the roots to access the minerals within the soil.

The result is fruit and veggie candy floss – produce that looks huge but that doesn't contain the nutrition we need to maintain optimal health. You'll notice fruit and veg often taste like nothing, and that's because they are completely pumped up with water – essentially because of the nitrogen use.

You'll notice fruit and veg often taste like nothing, and that's because they are completely pumped up with water – essentially because of the nitrogen use.

So, what can you do?

It’s a frustrating issue, especially for those doing their best to feed themselves and their families healthy, nutrient-rich produce. But because of the lack of minerals in NZ soils, it's important (and possible!) to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health in other ways.

...it's important to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health in other ways.

Several years ago I created BePure One, an incredibly powerful multivitamin with a base of greens, to give our body all of the missing nutrients it needs in one go.

I always recommend taking BePure One in conjunction with a high quality, omega 3 rich fish oil, such as BePure Three. Among other things omega 3 fish oils keep your cell membranes flexible and allow good nutrients into the cell, while allowing unwanted toxins to be expelled from your cells.

There are also some key foods that we should be including in our diets to pick up some of these deficiencies. You can also read my blog post '5 Key Nutrients Essential to Your Wellbeing,' to learn more about the impact these nutrients have on your body.

1. IODINE

91% of New Zealanders tested were Iodine deficient. The biggest groups at risk of Iodine deficiency are pregnant mothers and people with autoimmunity issues or concerns.

First up is Iodine. 91% of New Zealanders tested were Iodine deficient. The biggest groups at risk of Iodine deficiency are pregnant mothers and people with autoimmunity issues or concerns.

Food sources: Seaweed, especially kelp – we love this traditional miso soup recipe that has both! If you don't like the taste of seaweed you can also put it on your vegetable garden. This means your vegetables will be able to absorb iodine minerals from the soil.  

Supplement: We have two forms of Iodine in BePure One, potassium Iodine and also Iodine from kelp.

2. SELENIUM

It is estimated we get only 10-20% of the Selenium we require to hit our recommended daily intake of 60 mcg per day (RDI).

Food sources: Brazil nuts, beef and fish.

Supplement: BePure One contains 150 mcg of selenomethionine in order to help you maintain optimal Selenium levels.

3. ZINC

Zinc is involved in over 200 enzyme reactions within our bodies and is a vital nutrient for healthy immune function, energy and metabolic regulation, as it is needed to make insulin. It is also used as a cofactor for the production of many hormones. 


Zinc is involved in over 200 enzyme reactions within our bodies.

Food Sources: Seafood is great as it is very mineral rich – especially oysters, and red meat.

Supplement: It is easy to test zinc levels at home with a functional test. Our BePure Zinc Test is an easy way to test yours and the families Zinc levels easily. If zinc levels are a concern to you, our BePure Zinc Restore is a high strength form that includes 1000 mg of buffered vitamin C to assist in the absorption and in BePure One we have 15mg of Chelated Zinc to help maintain Zinc status.

4. CHROMIUM

Chromium is essential to stabilising blood sugar levels, chromium supports insulin function.

Food Sources: Again seafood is very mineral dense – both mussels and oysters contain high levels of chromium. Broccoli, pears and brazil nuts are also good sources.  

Supplement: Our high strength daily multivitamin, BePure One contains 150mcg chromium.

5. BORON

Boron is a vital trace mineral and without it, your body will be unable to lay down bone necessary to protect against osteoporosis.

Food Sources: Nuts like almonds and walnuts and avocados are all good sources.

Supplement: In BePure One we have 2.5mg of Boron in the form of Boron Glycinate.

FURTHER READING 

Is this the missing ingredient to your wellness?

Are you lacking in essential nutrients?

5 essential nutrients for your wellbeing