In Germany, an adequate supply of vital substances (micronutrients) is possible through a whole-food diet, taking into account the recommendations of the German Society for Nutrition e.V. (DGE) are possible. However, the general availability of a rich, wholesome food supply does not always guarantee a sufficient individual vital substance supply (micronutrients).
The results of the National Nutrition Survey II (2008) come to the alarming conclusion that for numerous macro- and micronutrients (vital substances) the recommendations of the DGE are not reached.An insufficient vital substance intake (micronutrients) can be caused by the following factors:
- Industrial food production
- Artificial fertilizers, pesticides, factory farming.
- Processed food
- Heating, freezing, drying, canning, irradiation, blanching, refining, additives, impurities.
- Vital substance losses of food due to:
- Long transport routes and storage
- Kitchen processing – storage, preparation, preparation, frying, grilling, frying, cooking, processing in the microwave, baking.
Causes of the individual vital substance additional requirements can be found under the topic of the same name.