Why does Dr. Wallach say that we need 90 essential nutrients?
Our bodies perform a variety of biochemical tasks every hour: pumping blood, breathing, building and repairing tissue, and maintaining the immune system. Each task requires the execution of a specific set of chemical events. If every chemical reaction and transfer is to occur successfully, it is necessary to provide the body with the raw materials required. The human body needs 90 essential nutrients in order to function optimally; 60 of these essential nutrients are trace minerals, 16 are vitamins, 12 are amino acids, and 3 are essential fatty acids. Although plants can make vitamins and amino acids for us, the animals and plants we eat must get their trace minerals from the soil. Unfortunately, minerals do not occur uniformly throughout the earth’s crust, and intensive agriculture has depleted our soils. Therefore supplementation is vital if we are to retain health and longevity throughout our lives.
