It's often touted by the holistic nutrition pundits that North America is a starving continent. It seems paradoxical that nations that have an out-of-control obesity problem could be said to be suffering from starvation, but there is logic behind the statement. With our nutrient-depleted foods coming from mineral-depleted soils, the over-processing of our foods and the artificial ingredients that replace real ingredients, the Western world is suffering from a starvation of nutrients!

In fact, it's reasonable to assume that this starvation is partially to blame for the obesity epidemic. People who eat nutrient-depleted food need to eat an excessive amount of it in order to satisfy the body's needs (although, it's usually a distended abdomen that stops a person from eating, not a true feeling of satiety). Ultimately, we eat excessive amounts of poor quality food in an effort to compensate for our cravings for nutrients and thus are gaining weight as a result.

By logic, then, if we add back in the nutrients, we should see some effects on obesity. A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity shows just that: Obese women given multivitamins and minerals were found to have significantly lower body weight.

The Chinese researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study with 87 women over the course of 26 weeks. They reported that the multivitamin and mineral group had "significantly lower body mass, BMI (body mass index), fat mass, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol".

This study points to nutrient depletion clearly being one piece of the obesity puzzle. But remember that the quality of nutrients you're taking in is always an issue. Drug store multivitamins may seem like a bargain but lower quality means lower absorption and lower results (if any). I always recommend people find a good quality multivitamin; not a cheap box store brand. Talk to a holistic practitioner or health store professional to find an appropriate multivitamin if you choose to take one.

The Healthy Foodie is Doug DiPasquale, Holistic Nutritionist and trained chef, living in Toronto. Doug specializes in private in-home holistic cooking lessons. You can email him with inquiries or questions for the blog at dugdeep@gmail.com.