Silver In The Food Chain Quality soil contains an abundance of different minerals, including important trace minerals. The latter includes silver which is needed by the body but severely lacking in modern soil and the plants that grow upon it. This deficiency persists all the way up the food chain, including human beings. The result is a diminished quality of life and increased incidence of disease. Present day farm lands are treated heavily with chemical fertilizers and driven hard to maximize production of crops because of economic pressures placed on modern-day farmers. Many crops are harvested prematurely, in order to deliver to market without spoilage. Consequently, we do not get the quantity of minerals needed. The impact of this deficiency over years has a significant impact on the quality of health. As well, assimilation of minerals can be reduced due to the use of pesticides and chemical preservatives in food, as well as environmental pollution. Researchers suspect that silver is one of the trace minerals whose presence is a key ingredient to the strength of the body's immune system. Tests conducted correlating silver levels to resistance to common infections have supported this idea. It is believed that silver is a key ingredient to a healthy immune response to bacteria and viruses.