A 2014 Garden Writers Association Media Award Winner Just as he demystified the soil food web in his ground-breaking book Teaming with Microbes, in this new work Jeff Lowenfels explains the basics of plant nutrition from an organic gardener’s perspective. Most gardeners realize that plants need to be fed but know little or nothing about the nature of the nutrients and the mechanisms involved. In his trademark down-to-earth, style, Lowenfels explains the role of both macronutrients and micronutrients and shows gardeners how to provide these essentials through organic, easy-to-follow techniques. Along the way, Lowenfels gives the reader easy-to-grasp lessons in the biology, chemistry, and botany needed to understand how nutrients get into the plant and what they do once they’re inside.

This practical book provides crucial information necessary to formulate diets with appropriate amounts of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. The factors that influence how well animals obtain these critical nutrients and methods for determining bioavailability are reviewed in this comprehensive text. In addition, data from both ruminants and nonruminants are included as well as established estimates of bioavailability for particular feed stuffs and feed supplements.

Want to know how healthy your food choices are? This updated edition of the guide to essential nutrition reveals all With processed foods and commercially farmed produce offering us less in the way of essential nutrition, and food industry labels exaggerating the health benefits of their product, people need straight-talking advice. Now fully updated, The Complete Guide to Nutrients is an invaluable A-Z reference that explains the active benefits of the foods, herbs, vitamins, and minerals needed for optimal health and well-being. Covering every vegetable, fruit, herb, vitamin, mineral, and supplement available, it enables you to take matters back into your own hands to stay healthy, fight illness, and cope with everyday stress. Each entry--from almonds, guarana, and kale to olive oil, St. John's Wort, and yogurt--describes in plain English what it is, where is comes from, the form it takes, how to prepare it, its medicinal health benefits, and a recommended daily dose.

The A-to-Z guide to essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, so you can ditch synthetic supplements and promote health naturally with nourishing foods. Vitamins and minerals are the building blocks of good health. But the heavily processed foods that are so common in today’s modern diet are stripped of these nutrients, leaving many people nutrient deficient despite meeting (or exceeding) their daily calorie needs. The accepted solution is to take supplements created in a lab, but the dosage and interactions can be confusing, and supplements are loosely regulated and not always foolproof, especially since our bodies are designed to receive nutrients from natural, whole foods. Eat Your Vitamins features fifty key vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential to your health. You will find clear definitions of each nutrient along with the role it plays in the body, how it is best consumed and absorbed, recommended daily doses, and detailed lists of foods and natural sources that contain the vitamin along with a recipe for a nutrient-rich meal. Ditch the synthetic supplements and make the right choice about how to properly feed and fuel your body.

Does a longer life mean a healthier life? The number of adults over 65 in the United States is growing, but many may not be aware that they are at greater risk from foodborne diseases and their nutritional needs change as they age. The IOM's Food Forum held a workshop October 29-30, 2009, to discuss food safety and nutrition concerns for older adults.