What problems can arise if I don’t get enough micronutrients in my diet?

Countless problems can arise from not getting enough of these micronutrients in the diet. Here are just a few:

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutrition problem in the world. Iron is not only required by hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, it’s also an essential constituent of many enzymes, including those involved in energy production and brain function. Iron deficiency results in anemia (a shortage of red blood cells), which is estimated to cost the world economy billions of dollars each year in lost productivity. Iron deficiency is also thought to have long-term adverse consequences; for example, interfering with neurotransmission in children who are deprived of sufficient iron during critical periods of brain growth.

Magnesium deficiency is common in the United States, especially among the poor, obese, elderly and African-Americans. It has been associated with colorectal and other cancers, hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes and metabolic syndrome (a prediabetic condition frequently accompanying obesity). In one large study more than 4,000 men were followed for 18 years to see if differences in blood concentrations of magnesium observed at the beginning of the study influenced future disease outcomes. The findings: Men with higher magnesium levels at the beginning of the study lived longer and had a lower incidence of heart disease and cancer than those with the lowest concentrations.

Vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with various cancers and ailments. Vitamin D is an unusual micronutrient for a couple of reasons. First, it doesn’t just come from the diet (though a few foods, such as canned salmon, sardines and cod-liver oil contain a form of vitamin D); it’s produced in the skin. Second, the chemical form of vitamin D present in some foods and the form produced in the skin are not the same form that is active in the body, which is called calcitriol and is synthesized when these precursor molecules react to the skin’s exposure to sunlight. Because many of us spend most of our time indoors and don’t get enough vitamin D from dietary sources, this deficiency is widespread. It’s even more prevalent and severe in the United States among people with dark skin, such as African-Americans—although dark skin protects against excessive sun exposure in the tropics, it can be too protective in more northern latitudes where sun exposure is limited.

You will increase your risks of many age-related chronic diseases such as certain cancers, dementia, osteoporosis, heart disease, etc. Imperfect diets won’t supply all the nutrients we believe we needed (US DRIs) to live a longer more productive life. The foods we choose to eat (along with physical activity or lack thereof) are a major contributing factor in why some people get these diseases early in life and others much later or never. The foods we eat contain our micronutrients including vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, etc., that make up all the parts of the body and allow it to function properly. If we fall short, we are simply not made to last or function our best. As examples: If our calcium & vitamin D intake regularly fall short, it leads to weaker bones that break early. If we regularly fall short of B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and/or certain carotenoids, brain, heart and visual functions may be compromised earlier than if we consumed proper amounts throughout life. To make matters worse is the fact that you never really know if you are getting, or can get, everything from the foods you choose, which is why we recommend you eat the best you can (pick one of our very healthy diets using the menus within the MILI program under the Coach tab) and take a daily multivitamin & mineral formula to cover all your bases.