About 40 micronutrients are required in the human diet for optimal health, but 50% of the US may be deficient in at least one of these micronutrients.
Micronutrient deficiencies may help explain why the group of people consuming the least amount of fruits and vegetables has twice the cancer rate for most cancers compared to the trimester with the highest intake.
Surprisingly, 80% of children and 68% of adults in the United States do not eat the recommended five servings a day.
Are you getting enough nutrients from your diet alone?
Results from studies of people on various diets (Atkins for Life, The South Beach, DASH, Zone, LEARN, Ornish and more) show that a person who follows the most popular diet plans with only food has a high probability of suffering from deficiency micronutrients.
A more detailed analysis found that an average of 27,500 calories would be required for the sufficiency of all micronutrients. Of the calorie restricted diets, there is an advantage in those that contain foods rich in nutrients.
Improving a poor-quality diet and the behaviors associated with it (suboptimal nutrient intake and physical inactivity) can improve overall health and well-being.
Common micronutrient deficiencies are likely to damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals. Aging is due in part to oxidants produced by mitochondria as by-products of normal metabolism.
Remedying micronutrient deficiencies is likely to lead to significant improvement in health and increased longevity at low cost.
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has stated that the best nutritional strategy to promote optimal health and reduce the risk of chronic disease is to choose a wide variety of foods wisely. But it can be very difficult to get 100% of the necessary nutrients.
In an analysis of 70 mixed individuals, all did not meet the recommended level of micronutrients 100% RDA from food alone. Although a healthy and balanced diet is available for the general European population, some groups are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. An optimal intake of micronutrients and metabolites, which vary according to age and genetic makeup, would boost metabolism and provide a marked increase in health at low cost.
Nutrient-dense diets reduce hunger
The micronutrient density of a diet along with the caloric content influences the experience of hunger. A nutrient-dense diet can result in a sustainable eating pattern that leads to weight loss and improved health.
A nutrient-dense diet provides long-term health benefits as well as weight loss.
As we age, inadequate nutrition contributes to loss of function and the development and progression of the disease. Nutritional status is influenced by a variety of medical, physiological, psychological, social, and situational variables.
Proper nutrition and physical activity are aspects of a health-promoting lifestyle. Encouraging better nutrition and exercise is a cost-effective way to decrease the incidence and progression of age-related diseases.
The sooner we practice healthy habits, the better.
