What Leads to Gaps in Your Nutrition?
If you look at the broad picture, culture leads to nutritional deficiencies.
Most people living in the United States don’t meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for many nutrients. That includes athletes and the average Joe, alike.
Ultra-processed foods have replaced nutrient-dense foods. These healthy foods include fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, plant oils, yogurt and fish. Americans have been described as ‘overfed and undernourished‘.
Our food culture results in chronic disease which, in turn, can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
The mass production of food also means that what we eat is not as wholesome as it was even a century ago. Even if you think you have a proper diet, you may be lacking antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients such as iron, vitamin C or zinc.
Organic food can help somewhat, but supplements may be more affordable for budget-conscious individuals.
Risk Factors for a Nutrient Deficiency
In addition to illnesses and medications that result in malabsorption, the following factors increase the odds of being low on nutrients:
Older Age
This demographic can struggle to absorb vitamin B12 and vitamin D. The National Academy of Medicine suggests that people as young as 50 take B12 pills.
Being Pregnant
According to the CDC, women of child-bearing age need to supplement with 600 micrograms of folic acid in case of conception. Even if your nutrient intake is sound overall, you don’t want to take a chance with folate. A lack of folic acid can cause birth defects.
Busy Lifestyles
If you have a hectic lifestyle it may be difficult to consume a balanced diet. You’ll likely benefit from a comprehensive multivitamin and multimineral.
Too Little Exposure to the Sun
You might be eating well but still don’t feel 100%. Spending a lot of time indoors or living in a place where there is a dearth of sunshine can make for a vitamin D deficiency.
Dietary Restrictions
Ethical and religious choices also have a part to play. Vegans, for example, who eat balanced diets but (obviously) don’t consume dairy or eggs may be low in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12, as well as essential amino acids like lucene, iso-leucine, and valine.
How to Pick a Good Multivitamin
Choosing the right multivitamin comes down to your lifestyle and general health. For most people, a general multi-vitamin capsule could be enough. For seniors, athletes, and very active folks, you might need different formulations built specifically for you. I recommend starting with something like 1st Phorms Microfactor line.
If you aren’t sure where you stand, you can visit your GP who will be able to schedule blood tests for you that will help you to find what your system is short on.
Remember, multi-vitamins are supplements to a good diet, not a replacement. You want to avoid overdosing on certain nutrients via diet and supplementation because this can also be harmful. Moderation is key.
Let Us help You Out
At CONDITIONerd we are here to help you achieve better physical and mental health through exercise. Check out the plans we offer to our customers and see if you could benefit from working with our team. And if you have questions, you can always contact a CONDITIONerd team member.
Personal trainers, like those found here, can help guide you on your pathway towards reaching your fitness goals, whether that is getting bigger, stronger, faster, more lean, or just generally feeling better.
We can get you setup with a periodized workout plan, supplement information, and advice on nutrition to help you reach your goals.
The only thing you need is some motivation and a willingness to change some old habits.
Get into contact with us to find out what membership is right for you. In a CONDITIONerd program, you’ll be surrounded by others who can help you to get where you want to be.
Generally, our clients start to see some pretty awesome changes in 2-3 months time, some sooner.
