NDRU said:

CarrieMpls said:

Wow! I was not aware of that at all! Very interesting.

It makes sense that "regular" produce is engineered to last long and be pretty, and there would be some kind of tradeoffs as a result.

Most studies and meta-analyses have not supported that, however. I’ve linked to two such studies and copied/pasted their conclusions below.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.g...d/19640946

http://www.ajcn.org/conte...type=HWCIT

What may explain the results in the table you pasted above is that organic produce is generally smaller (no surprise) so it may in some instances be somewhat more dense in nutrients than conventional crops. There was an organic/conventional strawberry study that seemed to support that conclusion. That may be legitimate – but that gets to the heart of why organic farming may have to remain a boutique industry for industrialized nations due to its lower crop yields and more expensive inputs.

Also, given the premium paid for most organic products, it's likely the case that any improvement in nutrient by pound is offset by the the higher price - that is to say, you may end up paying the same price for an equivalent amount of a given vitamin or mineral.

[Edited 7/11/12 4:32am]

ZombieKitten said:

Poplife88 said:

I took them for YEARS...my doc had me start taking them when I was 15 as I was a horrible eater...and I wasn't getting the necessary nutrition. I also used to get sick ALL the time.

Seriously, as soon as I started taking them I definitely felt better...more energy, wasn't getting sick very often, and when I did it wouldn't last long. During my 20s/30s I literally can count on one hand how many times I had a cold. Everyone around me would be sick and I would be the one ok.

So last year my current Dr told me to stop taking them as he felt they were making my blood too thick...enough so that I was prone for blood clots and also as I eat MUCH healthier now, he felt there simply wasn't a need. So for the last year I haven't taken them...and guess what...I am up to 4 colds this year. Other than that I don't really feel any different. I am considering taking them again, as these colds are really getting on my nerves. But now I have to take the over 50 ones ( ugh, I know...but I am only 40!!) as they don't have iron which makes the blood thick.

They have fish oil? I think that thins the blood (check)

You are correct...my Dr told me a couple months ago to start taking fish oil caps to thin the blood as well. Just started so not sure of the results yet. He also is the one who said to take the over 50 men's vitamins if I wish as they dont include iron.

damosuzuki said:

NDRU said:

http://www.ajcn.org/conte...type=HWCIT

Conclusion:From a systematic review of the currently available published literature, evidence is lacking for nutrition-related health effects that result from the consumption of organically produced foodstuffs.

What may explain the results in the table you pasted above is that organic produce is generally smaller (no surprise) so it may in some instances be somewhat more dense in nutrients than conventional crops. There was an organic/conventional strawberry study that seemed to support that conclusion. That may be legitimate – but that gets to the heart of why organic farming may have to remain a boutique industry for industrialized nations due to its lower crop yields and more expensive inputs.

Also, given the premium paid for most organic products, it's likely the case that any improvement in nutrient by pound is offset by the the higher price - that is to say, you may end up paying the same price for an equivalent amount of a given vitamin or mineral.

[Edited 7/11/12 4:32am]

Sure, I admit I don't know all the facts. However, what you are suggesting is that I could get more (or at least equal) nutrition from eating less, if I eat organic. That sounds pretty good.

I think that's part of why people are willing to pay more. That, plus it often tastes better. I have not had a decent peach in years that did not come from a farmer's market. But those peaches go bad within a day or two.

NDRU said:

damosuzuki said:

Sure, I admit I don't know all the facts. However, what you are suggesting is that I could get more (or at least equal) nutrition from eating less, if I eat organic. That sounds pretty good.

I think that's part of why people are willing to pay more. That, plus it often tastes better. I have not had a decent peach in years that did not come from a farmer's market. But those peaches go bad within a day or two.

Well, I think the nutritional density business I mentioned is very speculative. In the main the most recent and most comprehensive studies seem to indicate that there's generally no nutrional increase to be recognized from eating organic. I'm not arguing against organics. I think there are good reasons for people to choose those products. I just don't think it's been established that improved nutrition can be considered one of them based on the info we have available to us.

[Edited 7/11/12 16:35pm]