3 Common Nutrient Shortfalls To Look Out
By: Christine Siu, Technical Marketing Manager (NEOLIFE)
Original Directory > https://neolifeblog.com/3-common-nutrient-shortfalls-look/
Proper nutrition is the cornerstone on which good health is built. Nutrients in the diet provide fuel for your body, allowing it to properly function and maintain itself. There are different types of essential nutrients that can be grouped into two main categories: macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and lipids) which are needed in larger quantities, and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that are required in smaller amounts.
A healthy diet will provide the spectrum of nutrients in the appropriate amounts. There is a wide range of nutrients, for example, omega-3s, vitamins like riboflavin, and vitamins A and C, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and calcium, that play important roles in supporting optimal health. Balanced diets, like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasize whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and the like provide healthy nutrition. However, it can be difficult to keep track of everything you need to get from your diet. Combined with the prevalence of processed junk food, which often lacks key nutrients, many diets are not providing people with everything they need to be their best.
Let’s take a look at a few common nutrients that many people are not getting enough of.
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the body and plays a critical role in bone health and strength, making up 30-35% of bone mass.1 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set a Daily Value (DV) of 1,300 mg a day for adults and children four and up. Certain groups like postmenopausal women, teenage girls, and women on birth control are at a higher risk of calcium inadequacy because hormonal fluctuations frequently affect calcium absorption and bone loss.2
In the US, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 found that the average calcium intake was only about 968 mg a day.3 A review of global calcium intake found that many countries have low average calcium intake.1 Many countries in Asia had an average calcium intake of less than 500 mg a day, and most African and South American countries had an average intake of less than 700 mg a day.1 It’s important that majority of calcium is obtained from calcium-rich foods like dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese. Other food sources include soybeans and leafy greens like spinach, turnip greens, and kale. Calcium supplements can be used to fill in the nutritional gap, but supplementation should stay below 500 mg a day due to increased cardiovascular risk associated with high doses of supplemental calcium.4
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a unique, fat-soluble nutrient. It is also known as the sunshine vitamin because your body actually produces vitamin D when skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining strong bone health by promoting the absorption of calcium in the gut and it also supports immune health.5 Though vitamin D can be produced in the body, it can also be consumed and the FDA set a DV of 20 mcg a day. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.5
Unfortunately, few people are meeting the 20 mcg a day recommendation. The NHANES 2017-2018 found that the average vitamin D intake from food was just 4.3 mcg a day.3 Almost a fifth of the population was categorized as at risk of vitamin D inadequacy.6 A review of global vitamin D status found that with few exceptions, there are “very high levels of inadequacy of vitamin D intake.”7
Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is a type of complex carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. Though not absorbed by the body, fiber is still important for gastrointestinal health and has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve glycemic (blood sugar) control, and lower blood pressure.8 Observational studies have identified associations between high fiber intake and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type-2 diabetes.8
The World Health Organization recommends adults consume 25 grams of dietary fiber a day, and the FDA Daily Value is 28 grams a day.9 The NHANES 2017-2018 found that the average fiber intake was just 16.2 grams a day.3 A study in Europe found that the average daily fiber intake was 15 grams for women and 20 grams for men.9 Good sources of dietary fiber includes beans, whole grains like oats, brown rice, and whole wheat, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
The Takeaway
Balanced nutrition is the foundation for good health. There is a broad spectrum of nutrients your body needs in varying amounts in order to operate optimally. We all know we should eat a healthy, balanced diet but many people often fall short in reality.
There are nutrients that are more widely under consumed than others, and calcium, vitamin D, and dietary fiber are among those considered nutrients of public health concern.10 Taking supplements is an effective option to increase intake of these nutrients.2,5,8 It is important to choose a reputable company with high quality products so you know exactly what you’re getting in your supplements.
NeoLife has been a trusted company for over 60 years, providing a range of leading-edge supplements to help you bridge your nutrient gaps.