Column #29

How does the chemistry of the human body compare with that of plants? Does the human body share many of the same elements as green leaves or do they differ significantly? How does the chemistry of roots and seeds compare with leaves?

All animals and plants consist of essential macronutrients, micronutrients, and many trace elements. The macronutients are big players and they are essential for life. For humans the first four in the list make up 96% of the weight. Micronutrients are secondary in importance although extremely important for optimizing health. Some trace elements also play important roles in body functions. To the surprise of many, some trace elements are highly toxic in large doses yet very important for optimum health in tiny doses. So let’s examine how the lists of elements compare.

The Table of Elements in Humans and Plants

For some elements to function as nutrients in a body or a plant, in some cases they must be available not only in sufficient amounts but also in appropriate ratios.

When combined, the lists of macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace elements for humans and plants are identical. Interestingly, plants happen to take up many trace elements from the soils in which they grow that are not essential to the plants but they are important for humans. That underscores mankind’s dependance on plants and mother earth for his health.

As one may have guessed, the requirements for humans and animals are the same; therefore animals and wild-caught fish are super foods because they are sources for the entire spectrum of elements required to support human health. Additional benefits are that the elements are in the appropriate balance and also provide many necessary compounds that were created from the elements by the animals.

But what about plant parts? How do the roots and seeds compare with green leaves? I found a study published by Environmental and Experimental Botany that compared the elements for wheat and rye plants. They analyzed the plants on a dry weight basis (dehydrated) and listed the elements in milligrams per kilogram. I added the data for gross weight totals. Then compared the weight percentages between leaves and roots and leaves and seeds.

The weight of contained elements in the roots was 65.58% of the leaves for Wheat and 80.64% for Rye. The seeds are far less dense. The weight of contained elements in the Wheat seeds was 27.82% of the leaves and 19.39% for Rye. In other words, to obtain the same dose of across the board elements for enriching an animal body, an animal has to eat four to five times the dry matter weight of seeds versus leaves. Plus, the distribution of elements in seeds differs significantly from leaves and the ratios of some key elements also differed significantly.

There are four decades of scientific analysis proving the need for the critical 1:1 balance of essential fats (Omega-6 to Omega-3) for animals. That balance comes naturally in leaves rather than roots or seeds. That means for balanced essential fatty acids and nutrient diversity and optimal density, animals and definitely humans must have the green leaf at the bottom of the food change to optimize body function. Therefore when humans or animals eat leaves they are consuming a food that fulfills their nutrient needs, whereby when they eats roots, they fail to get sufficient nutrients. When they eat seeds, they flirt with nutritional disaster.

This is why grain-fed animals do not provide the proper nutrients for man. The best foods, as listed in The Real Diet of Man, include grass-fed and Omega-3 meats, wild-caught seafood, green leafy vegetables, and limited amounts of tart fruit. These foods provide 100% of mankind’s nutritional requirements in perfect balance. Deviations from that diet result in body failures which are commonly known as chronic diseases.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

For additional reading:

Elements in Rye and Wheat: Macronutrients Plus Trace Elements

Mankind’s Essential Elements

A Healthy Diet Includes Many Elements

Supplemental Tables