Common nutrient deficiencies and inadequacies

You’re no stranger to fruits and vegetables, so you may think you’re eating a healthy diet. But are you sure you’re getting all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs each day?

Sorry to break it to you, but research suggests most of us are not. In fact, about 75% of people in Canada and 90% of people in the U.S. don’t consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables in their diets. As a result, the USDA created a list of shortfall nutrients, or nutrients of concern, that many people are not consuming in adequate amounts, putting them at risk for health issues. Currently, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium and dietary fiber are on the list for the general U.S. population.

There are many reasons people may have shortfall nutrients. Life gets busy and many of us rely on convenience foods instead of healthier options. Also, things like sleep difficulties, occasional stress and environmental factors can interfere with our appetites, food preferences or our body’s ability to absorb some nutrients. Farming practices that result in poor soil health can also affect the micronutrient levels in food grown there.

Risks of nutritional gaps

A micronutrient deficiency can be serious and is typically accompanied by noticeable symptoms such as hair loss, slow healing of wounds or bone pain. Those conditions require medical attention.

However, Nutrilite Principal Research Scientist and Registered Dietitian Holiday Durham Zanetti, Ph.D., said many people may have a micronutrient inadequacy. That means they consume less than what’s recommended, but more than what would be considered deficient.

Those symptoms can be less noticeable, such as fatigue, suppressed immune system function or lack of concentration and focus. While the symptoms can be milder, they may have long-term health implications.

“Many people in North America live in a middle ground, not sick enough to be diagnosed with a deficiency, but not optimally nourished either,” Durham Zanetti said. “That’s why dietary quality makes a difference in our health and wellbeing.”

Assessing your diet for potential shortfall nutrients

If you have serious concerns about a micronutrient deficiency and are exhibiting symptoms, you should consult your doctor. They can use blood tests for a precise measurement and an accurate diagnosis, Durham Zanetti said.

If you wonder whether you have a micronutrient inadequacy, you can start by keeping a record of all the food you consume, she continued. “You can use a diet tracking app or simply keep a physical food journal for one week and compare it with the recommended nutrient intakes to identify potential nutrient gaps.”

Here are also some general factors you can consider when looking for under-consumed nutrients, she said.

• Are you excluding any food groups from your diet? Vegans, for example, are at risk of not consuming enough B12, iron and omega-3s.
• Do you have digestive conditions such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome? They can reduce your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
• What life stage are you in? Pregnant women, older adults, teens and athletes have higher nutrient needs.

There are also online assessments to help you determine what nutrients you might benefit from. The Amway Nutrition Recommender considers your age, sex, lifestyle, activity level, personal goals and other factors to suggest vitamins and supplements based on your specific needs.

What vitamins and supplements should I take?

If, after examining your diet, you identify some areas where you might be lacking, it’s time to make some changes. The best way to get the nutrients you need is through the food you eat. Start searching for ways to improve your diet and try new foods that are high in the nutrients you’re looking for.

You can also add vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet to help fill nutritional gaps. Multivitamins are a great place to start. In fact, consumer research shows that more than half of people in the U.S. take a daily multivitamin. If you find specific nutrients that you know you’re not consuming enough of, such as fiber, vitamin D or omega-3s, you should consider a targeted supplement.

What is a multivitamin and multimineral supplement?

What is considered a multivitamin? A multivitamin is a supplement that contains a combination of various nutrients our bodies need, including vitamins and minerals. It may be a few key nutrients or a wide variety of the different vitamins and minerals and plant nutrients we need each day. They come in different forms like capsules, tablets, gummies or powders. They can also be designed for adults or children in general or men and women specifically.

The options can seem overwhelming, but here are some tips on choosing the best multivitamin for you. Make sure you examine which nutrients are included. Don’t forget to look for those important plant nutrients that are missing from most people’s diets. You should also consider whether the supplements come from a quality company that uses third-party verification to ensure what is stated on the label is what you’re actually getting in the product.

Check out the wide variety of vitamins and supplements that are available here, including Nutrilite™ multivitamin tablets for men and women and Nutrilite Double X™ Multivitamin. All Nutrilite multivitamins contain plant nutrients grown on partner farms or our own Nutrilite certified organic farms to help fill your daily nutrient gaps.