As living beings, we primarily consume living things for our nutrition because they provide the necessary nutrients, energy, and essential molecules required for our survival and growth. Living organisms, such as plants and animals, possess a wide variety of nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that our bodies need to function properly.
While there are some non-living substances that we can use for nutrition, such as minerals and certain chemical compounds, they are usually obtained indirectly from living things. For example, plants absorb minerals from the soil and convert them into forms that we can consume when we eat the plants.
As for living solely on dead nutrition, it is not feasible for most complex organisms, including humans. While dead matter can provide some nutrients and energy, it lacks the necessary complexity and balance of nutrients that our bodies require for sustained health. Dead matter begins to decompose rapidly after the death of an organism, and during this decomposition process, many of the nutrients break down or become inaccessible for consumption.
Plants and other living organisms play a crucial role in recycling nutrients and maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They convert non-living matter into living matter, and when they die, their remains contribute to the nutrient cycle, supporting the growth of other organisms.
In summary, our reliance on living things for nutrition is deeply rooted in the complex interplay of ecosystems and the unique nutritional needs of living organisms. While some non-living substances play a role in our nutrition indirectly, a life sustained solely on dead nutrition is not practical due to the limited availability of essential nutrients in non-living matter.