1 out of every 3 individual is nutrient deficient!

But we all know the nutrient deficiency is common nowadays and if you happen to check your nutrient profile, I am sure you, the one reading this might be potential case too. In this blog let us try to understand what is deficiency and why are deficiencies increasing nowadays!

Deficiency in its common sense means that there is less intake of the specified nutrient on recommended daily intake basis and hence when the minimum levels of the nutrient are not present, it leads to a lot of health issues and come to limelight once a blood test is done.

Some of the reasons for the Nutrient Deficiency is:

• Not consuming balanced and nutrient dense foods: With the fast lifestyle that one has, we are neglecting nutrient rich whole foods and moving closer to easy to make food or fast food available. This is causing us to ignore the nutrient profile requisite. No liking towards green leafy veggies or not encouraging kids to eat vegetables, beans may lead to Iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency is more common in vegan and vegetarian population. With women population bearing the larger weight. 80-90% of vegetarian population is deficient in Vit B12 as its majorly found in animal sources and only seaweed amongst plant sources.30% of Indian women have vit A deficiency as it is found in some of the dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish liver oil, organ meat.

• SAD IIFM diets: Standard American Diet and If It Fits Your Macros are two diets, one followed in America which is high on calories, processed sugars and very low on good macros and nutrients this diet is getting replicated in India under the westernization wave.
• Not outdoor exposure as much as required: With Netflix and chill, the sedentary lifestyle we will find people who have forgotten the outdoor life exists. This lifestyle leads to nutrient deficiencies like Vit D as there is no enough sun exposure and also some issues like obesity, back ache due to prolonged sitting in comfort chairs.
• Calorie deficit diet leads to skipping or filtering out some foods might lead to becoming deficient in some essential micronutrients like minerals and vitamins.
• Protein: Not eating enough protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds may cause muscle loss, hair thinning and brittle nails.
• Calcium: Not eating enough calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, calcium-set tofu and fortified milks may reduce bone strength and increase the risk of fractures.
• Biotin and thiamine: A low intake of whole grains, legumes, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds may limit your intake of these two B vitamins, potentially resulting in muscle weakness, hair loss and scaly skin.
• Vitamin A: Not eating enough vitamin A-rich foods like organ meat, fish, dairy, leafy greens or orange-colored fruits and vegetables may weaken your immune system and lead to permanent ye damage.
• Magnesium: An insufficient intake of magnesium-rich whole grains, nuts and leafy greens may cause fatigue, migraines, muscle cramps and abnormal heart rhythms.
• Fatigue due to restricted calories can lead to fatigue Calorie restricted diets are usually the ones less in iron, folate or B12.
• Self-selected low-fat diets were associated with lower intakes of calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, vitamin b12, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin.

Hence though we see nutrient deficiency being so common we know its human created. Therefore, its essential to take proper balanced diet rich is all macro and micronutrients and also nutrient profile check-up done every year to assess if the levels are optimum!

I will write another blog addressing how the deficiencies show up physically, if you like my content, do subscribe to my blog and follow me on lotlikaryashshvi6452 for more nutrition/fitness updates! 🙂