![\"Are](\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/are-you-getting-enough-nutrients-1024x683.jpg\")
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Are you getting enough essential vitamins and minerals? Micronutrient<\/a> deficiencies may be more common than you think and could be impacting your health.<\/p>\n A recent study in The Lancet<\/a> estimates that more than half of the world\u2019s population lacks essential nutrients in their diet.\u00a0<\/p>\n Researchers analyzed data from 31 countries. Then, they used these patterns to estimate the intake of 15 important nutrients for different age and gender groups across 185 countries.<\/p>\n This ultimately helped them estimate how many people worldwide might lack these nutrients.<\/p>\n By their calculations, more than half of the global population doesn\u2019t get enough of seven essential micronutrients.<\/p>\n Specifically, more than 5 billion people may not consume enough:<\/p>\n And more than 4 billion people may not consume enough:<\/p>\n The study also looked at nutrient intake by gender. It proposed:<\/p>\n The researchers note that these nutrient intakes are just estimates and they may have overestimated some deficiencies. But the study highlights a global public health concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even in developed countries, many people are lacking in at least one essential nutrient.\u00a0<\/p>\n Iron deficiency is the most widespread, particularly in young children and pre-menopausal women (1<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n The body needs micronutrients in small amounts, but they\u2019re essential for optimal health.\u00a0<\/p>\n Micronutrients also play a key role in metabolic health, influencing metabolism and body weight (2<\/a>). It\u2019s essential to maintain adequate micronutrient levels for mental health and mood support, too (3<\/a>).<\/p>\n If certain micronutrients are too low, our body can\u2019t function properly. This raises the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (1<\/a>).<\/p>\n But addressing micronutrient deficiencies isn\u2019t just about avoiding illness or disease. Getting enough micronutrients helps support your daily energy levels and body functions (4<\/a>).<\/p>\n Ultimately, your vitamin and mineral levels affect your everyday life and your long-term health.<\/p>\n Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients: How Are They Different? ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Knowing micronutrients\u2019 specific roles in our bodies can help guide our diet choices and motivate us to meet our nutrient needs.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of the seven micronutrients of primary concern in the global study:<\/p>\n About the Expert<\/strong><\/p>\n Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN <\/strong>is a registered dietitian and writer who offers impactful nutrition consulting services to leading health brands. She is an influential figure in nutrition science communication, promoting global public health and nutrition education<\/a>.<\/p>\n Identifying micronutrient deficiencies can be challenging. Some cause more noticeable symptoms than others.\u00a0<\/p>\n Plus, each micronutrient has its own set of deficiency symptoms, ranging from mild to dangerous<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some common signs of micronutrient deficiencies include, but are not limited to, constant tiredness, frequent illness, and problems with skin, hair, and nails (1<\/a><\/strong>, 5<\/a>).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n However, keep in mind that other health issues can also cause these symptoms.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re experiencing these or other signs and symptoms, talk to a healthcare professional. This is true even if you have no symptoms but think you may be at risk for having a nutrient deficiency.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re simply curious about your nutrient levels, you can still ask your provider to test your blood or purchase a home nutrient deficiency test kit that uses a CLIA-certified lab<\/a>.<\/p>\n To help prevent nutrient deficiencies, eat a balanced diet. It should be rich in diverse, nutrient-dense foods<\/a>, like whole fruits and vegetables.\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, a healthy gut and nutrient-rich diet go hand in hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n Our gut microbiome influences how well we absorb vitamins and minerals (6<\/a>). Specific vitamins can actually be created by our gut bacteria, too (7<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n Likewise, certain micronutrients help healthy gut bacteria thrive (7<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n To boost gut health and your micronutrient status, try eating more fiber<\/a>-rich and probiotic<\/a> foods. Minimize ultra-processed foods<\/a> like refined grains, fast food, and sugary drinks.<\/p>\n If you need some inspiration, try our 7-day Gut Health Nutrition Plan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can use the MyFitnessPal app<\/a> to help track your fiber and many key micronutrients including iron, calcium, and vitamin C.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tracking your intake over time can help empower you to create a clearer picture of your nutrition and discover areas for improvement.<\/p>\n Collaborating with a registered dietitian can further support your efforts. They provide personalized guidance on incorporating nutrient-rich foods and making lasting dietary changes.<\/p>\n A food-first approach is ideal. But, some may need micronutrient supplements due to factors that affect our levels, like:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re at higher risk for deficiencies, consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional. This is especially important if you have a health condition or take medications. They can assess your nutritional needs and help determine if you need supplements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Too much of some vitamins or minerals can be harmful. So, follow the recommended doses. Avoid combining micronutrient supplements without a health professional\u2019s guidance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The post Are You Getting Enough Nutrients? Find Out What 5 Billion People Are Missing<\/a> appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Are you getting enough essential vitamins and minerals? Micronutrient deficiencies may be more common than…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1420"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1421,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420\/revisions\/1421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ibother.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What the Study Found<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Why It Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n\n![\"Macronutrients](\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/micronutrients-vs-macronutrients-1024x645.jpg\")
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<\/div>\nUnderstanding the Seven Nutrients of Concern<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/div>\nHow to Know if You\u2019re Deficient<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Can You Do to Help Prevent Micronutrient Deficiencies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Eat a balanced diet<\/h3>\n
2. Promote a healthy gut<\/h3>\n
3. Track your food intake<\/h3>\n
4. Work with a registered dietitian<\/h3>\n
5. Know if you\u2019re at higher risk<\/h3>\n
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