Nutritional deficiencies: why are we so deficient?
9/10 Americans are deficient in potassium
68% deficient in magnesium
1/3 lacking in zinc
75% lacking in folate
8/10 deficient in vitamin E
More than 50% of the general population is deficient in vitamin D
Reason #1: The Standard American Diet.
In simple terms, the Standard American Diet, composed of ultra processed foods and deficient in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is devoid of nutritional value, contributing to our dietary deficits. The food we are consuming is stripped of the nutritional composition through processing and/or manufactured as food-like substances, absent of any nutritional value to begin with. It is imperative that we address this issue with immediacy.
Our bodies and our brains are in need of a comprehensive supply of micronutrients and minerals. It is essential that we take these deficiencies seriously and recognize their role in our optimal health.
Reason #2: Quality of our soil and how food is grown/raised.
While consuming conventional produce is better than consuming processed foods that we find on the shelf, it is such a shame that we have to be cautious about how the food is grown and/or raised. These were non-issues thousands of years ago when our ancestors hunted and harvested without the concern of glyphosate or antibiotics or hormones or anything that could be compromising to their health. They were the ultimate, the original farm to table.
Nowadays, our conventional produce is oftentimes treated with harmful chemicals and the quality of soil is no longer as mineral dense as it once was. That said, the nutritional density of the produce we consume is potentially lesser quality than centuries past. Furthermore, how we raise our livestock (to eventually become our beef, chicken, turkey, fish, etc.) is certainly no picnic either.
Bottom line — opt for organic when possible and stick with grass fed, pasture raised meat or wild caught fish, if possible. While not always the most cost effective,
Reason #3: The body is incapable of absorbing, digesting, making use of the nutrients consumed.
My dear friends — you could be consuming all the things — fruits, veggies, whole grains, quality protein, fats, etc… but if your body is in not in a space to UTILIZE the nutrition — this is a significant reason as to why you may be nutritionally deficient.
Possibilities (but not limited to) this may be true:
Poor gut health
Food allergies
Autoimmiune diseases
Chronic stress
Overuse of antibiotics
Consider how you can better support your body’s ability to make use of the nutrition you are consuming.
Reason #4: Dietary choices/limitations (i.e. vegan, vegetarian)
Ensuring you are consuming a wide, balanced range of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals includes consuming both plant-based and animal-based foods. While it is not impossible to continue to consume the adequate amount of nutrition and avoid deficiencies, following specific diets puts you at a higher risk for this issue. For example, vegans are oftentimes deficient in vitamin B12 as most B12 is found in animal-based foods. B12 is critical in overall wellness, but more specifically, deficiencies have been found to have a connection with mental health concerns like depression.
Consider this when choosing to change your dietary lifestyle — supplementation may be recommended to deter any deficiencies. Always consult your doctor prior to adding in any supplement to your routine.
Reason #5: Lack of awareness and education.
Simply put, we are uneducated about many things, as it comes to health and wellness, but especially the dangers of nutritional deficiencies. As we’ve learned, many of us are deficient in several essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, and as a result, experience the repercussions of these deficiencies that can imitate many other health concerns. Expanding your awareness around your specific circumstances and how your dietary lifestyle is meeting, or is not meeting, these needs, is critical for optimal wellness.
Reflect on how you choose to fuel and nourish each day. Do your own research, advocate for your own wellness: how might you need to spend time prioritizing filling nutritional gaps or managing deficiencies in any way?
As always, please consult a professional healthcare provider before adding any supplementation into your routine.
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