Farmer's day 1940 vs balanced day 2025
How many vitamins and minerals have we lost in 85 years? Quantified comparison from CIQUAL ANSES, Mayer 1997/2022, deficits compensated by base One.
FARMER'S DAY 1940 vs OPTIMIZED BALANCED DAY 2025
Complete Micronutrient Comparison · Deficits, Base One Compensation & Role in Nutrient Absorption
Legend
- ✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES — the formula directly provides the missing nutrient.
- ◆ BASE ONE ABSENT — FACILITATES ABSORPTION — the nutrient is excluded from the formula for biochemical reasons but Base One optimizes its dietary absorption.
- ○ ABSENT — DIETARY RESPONSE ONLY — correction exclusively through diet.
Minerals — complete daily values
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Magnesium citrate (bioavailability > 40 % vs 4 % for oxide). Cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions, ATP synthesis and vitamin B6 absorption. The dose of 100 mg completes without substituting the diet.
◆ BASE ONE ABSENT — FACILITATES ABSORPTION
Absent from the formula : iron, zinc and copper share the DMT-1 transporter — their co-administration inhibits absorption by 40–80 % (Fairweather-Tait 2003). Base One facilitates dietary iron absorption through two vectors: (1) vitamin C 580 mg — reduces ferric Fe³⁺ to ferrous Fe²⁺, the only form transported by DMT-1, multiplying non-haem iron absorption ×2 to ×4 (Hallberg et al. 1989); (2) β-carotene 7,2 mg — independent facilitator effect on non-haem iron (Garcia-Casal et al. 1998); (3) vitamins B2, B9, B12 — condition the formation of red blood cells.
◆ BASE ONE ABSENT — FACILITATES ABSORPTION
Absent from the formula : high-dose zinc inhibits copper absorption via the same transporter. Most severe decline in the table (−72 %); Mayer 1997 documents −81 % in UK vegetables between 1936 and 1991. Dietary response prioritized: organ meats, mollusks, cashews. Base One contributes indirectly through vitamin C, which maintains intestinal mucosa integrity and optimizes the absorption window for trace metals from food.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Zinc citrate (organic bioavailability superior to sulfate/oxide forms). Intentionally moderate dosage (5 mg, 50 % NRV) to preserve the recommended Zn/Cu ratio (8–10/1) and avoid copper antagonism. Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) and vitamin C in the formula improve residual dietary zinc bioavailability via the ZIP4 transporter.
◆ BASE ONE ABSENT — FACILITATES ABSORPTION
Absent from the formula : calcium inhibits iron absorption via DMT-1 — including both partially cancels out their effects. Structural deficit linked to the exclusion of whole dairy products. Base One optimizes dietary calcium absorption through three mechanisms: (1) magnesium (citrate) — conditions the sensitivity of receptors to PTH and vitamin D, regulators of intestinal calcium absorption (Rude et al. 2009); (2) potassium citrate — urinary alkalinizing effect reducing calciuria and preserving bone calcium capital (Sebastian et al. 1994); (3) vitamin C — favors hepatic conversion of cholecalciferol to 25-OH-vitamin D, optimizing active calcium absorption via TRPV6.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Potassium citrate (alkalizing form, well-tolerated vs chloride). The dosage of 300 mg respects the Swiss regulatory limit for non-prescription dietary supplements. Contributes to blood pressure regulation and excitable cell membrane potential via Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
L-selenomethionine (bioavailability > 90 % vs ~25 % for inorganic selenite). Total 192 µg — very below the EFSA upper limit of 300 µg. Cofactor of glutathione peroxidases (GPx1–4) and thyroid deiodinases (T4→T3 conversion). Intra-formula synergy with vitamin E and zinc (antioxidant cascade).
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Potassium iodide (ionic reference form, preferable to iodate). Total 362 µg — below the upper limit of 600 µg. Structural deficit in Europe linked to the decline of whole milk and sea fish in daily habits. Intra-formula synergy : selenium activates deiodinases that convert T4 into active T3.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Manganese citrate (bioavailability superior to inorganic forms). Cofactor of mitochondrial MnSOD and bone matrix glycosyltransferases. The total 8,6 mg remains very below the neurotoxicity threshold (> 10–15 mg/day chronic exposure).
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Chromium picolinate (bioavailability significantly superior to chromium chloride). Functional cofactor of chromodulin, which amplifies the tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor. Intra-formula synergy with vitamin C (chromium absorption), magnesium and vitamins B3/B5.
Vitamins & precursors — complete daily values
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
L-ascorbic acid (reduced form, maximum bioavailability). Cofactor of > 10 hydroxylases, collagen synthesis and dopamine→noradrenaline conversion. At 725 mg total, the formula is within the preventive-nutritional range documented without risk of laxative effect. Key role in the absorption of missing dietary nutrients : non-haem iron (×2 to ×4), calcium, manganese and chromium.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Mixed natural dextrogyrous tocopherols (α, β, γ, δ) — 2× better absorbed than synthetic DL-. The gamma-tocopherol, absent from most formulas, is the most active against nitroxide radicals. Total 47,1 mg — very below the EFSA tolerable upper limit (550 mg/day). Regenerated by vitamin C in the formula.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Thiamine HCl (stable form). Greatest decline among measured vitamins (−43 %). Central coenzyme of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex — entry into the Krebs cycle. Cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis via tetrahydrobiopterin. Increased needs for regular coffee, tea or alcohol consumers.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Riboflavin HCl + R5P (directly active coenzyme form). The R5P bypasses deficient hepatic phosphorylation in many subjects. Precursor of FMN and FAD (complexes I and II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain). Involved in iron fixation on haemoglobin — indirect role on iron deficiency.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Niacin + nicotinamide association. Direct precursor of NAD⁺ and NADP⁺, coenzymes in > 400 enzymatic reactions. Substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1–7), epigenetic regulators of cellular longevity and DNA repair. At 70 mg diluted in the formula, the risk of niacin flush is avoided.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Calcium pantothenate (stable salt). Essential component of acetyl-CoA, universal cofactor in the Krebs cycle, fatty acid synthesis, steroid hormones and acetylcholine. No maximum dose set in Switzerland; 100–300 mg/day used in orthomolecular practice.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Pyridoxine HCl + P-5-P (active coenzyme form). Coenzyme in > 160 enzymatic reactions. The P-5-P bypasses deficient hepatic conversion in cases of dysbiosis or estrogen overload. Key role on the absorption of missing minerals : conditions cellular magnesium uptake (Berthelot 1991) and improves dietary zinc bioavailability. Maximum dose CH : 15 mg/day — respected.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
5-MTHF (direct active form) — bypasses the MTHFR C677T polymorphism present in ~40 % of the population, which blocks conversion from classical folic acid. Co-substrate for methionine synthase, prevention of hyperhomocysteinaemia. Total 978 µg — below the Swiss maximum dose of 1 000 µg.
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Hydroxocobalamin + methylcobalamin (cyanocobalamin deliberately excluded). Methylcobalamin crosses the blood-brain barrier and ensures direct neuroprotection. Hydroxocobalamin, with prolonged hepatic half-life, constitutes a reservoir. At 150 µg, the high dosage compensates for low oral absorption by passive diffusion (0.5–2 %).
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
D-biotin (exclusive natural form vs DL- racemic). Cofactor of mitochondrial carboxylases; its availability depends on microbiota balance — dysbiosis reduces endogenous synthesis. At 800 µg, the dosage conforms to preventive orthomolecular recommendations (500–800 µg/day).
✔ BASE ONE COMPENSATES
Natural β-carotene (only form of vitamin A authorized in Switzerland since July 2020 for dietary supplements — direct retinol is excluded). Conversion to retinol regulated by body needs — no risk of toxicity from accumulation. Documented facilitator effect on non-haem iron absorption (Garcia-Casal et al. 1998), in synergy with the vitamin C in the formula.
BASE ONE COMPONENTS WITHOUT EQUIVALENT IN THE FOOD COMPARISON
These four compounds are not listed in reference CIQUAL tables or measured in typical food comparisons. They nevertheless constitute a structural part of the Base One formula.
Membrane phospholipids, insulin signaling (PI3K), liver support against steatosis. Not measured in CIQUAL — absent from food comparison.
Fuel for enterocytes and lymphocytes; precursor of GABA and glutathione. Maintains intestinal tight junction integrity — structurally conditions the absorption capacity of all divalent minerals from food.
Dominant component of collagen (1 residue out of 3); co-substrate for glutathione synthetase with L-glutamine and cysteine; spinal inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Krebs cycle intermediate; soft chelation of aluminum; forms zinc malate complexes maintaining zinc in solution in the alimentary bolus and favoring its absorption.
Note on Deliberate Omissions (Iron, Copper, Calcium)
These three nutrients have the most severe deficits in the table (−36 % to −72 %) but are deliberately excluded from the formula. Iron, zinc and copper share the intestinal DMT-1 transporter: administered simultaneously in aqueous solution, they mutually inhibit absorption by 40–80 % (Fairweather-Tait SJ et al., J Nutr 2003). Calcium, at high concentration, inhibits iron absorption via this same transporter (Hallberg L et al., IMR Press 2000). Including them in a multi-micronutrient formula would reduce its net efficacy. However, Base One optimizes their dietary absorption through vitamin C (non-haem iron ×2 to ×4), β-carotene, vitamin B2, magnesium (calcium) and potassium citrate (calcium). The direct response to these deficits remains exclusively dietary: organ meats and mollusks for copper; whole dairy products or legumes for calcium; red meat and legumes for iron.
On none of the nutrients included in Base One does the total 2025 + Base One exceed the upper tolerable limits established by EFSA. The formula compensates without exceeding. — Sources : CIQUAL 2020 (ANSES) · Mayer AM et al. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2022 · Hallberg L et al. · Fairweather-Tait SJ et al. · EFSA Dietary Reference Values 2017/2023 · Regulation EU No 1169/2011 · nuho.ch/products/base-one (May 2026)