If you are unhappy with your health or weight, there is a strong chance that nutrient deficiencies play a role. Your body is reliant on a range of vitamins and minerals in order to carry out critical functions each day. You need to supply your body with these nutrients every day. If this doesn’t happen, your health will suffer.

Most of my patients are mineral deficient, especially the females. This can happen even if you are extremely careful with following a healthy diet and preparing home cooked meals. Modern farming practises have meant soils in most parts of the world are mineral deficient. Stress increases your requirement for certain nutrients and promotes urinary loss of others. Having excess inflammation in your body also means that you use up nutrients at a faster rate. Alcohol and caffeine can flush nutrients out of your body at a faster rate. Menstruating women lose iron plus other nutrients in blood each month. The oral contraceptive pill causes the body to use up many nutrients at a faster rate.

Red meat, seafood, poultry and eggs are the most nutrient dense foods on a weight basis. Vitamins and minerals are concentrated in those foods. Vegetables and fruits are high in water and fiber, and fiber can bind with minerals and reduce their absorption. Many of my female patients do not eat sufficient protein for their requirements (70 to 100 grams of protein per day). Red meat in particular is high in iron, zinc, B12 and vitamin D, as well as protein. Many of my female patients aren’t big red meat eaters, hence typically suffer nutrient deficiencies.

If your body is lacking minerals, you simply cannot function at your best. You are likely to feel tired both physically and mentally. It can also adversely affect your mental health and cognitive performance.

Common mineral deficiencies

Iron

Iron deficiency is common in women and is the most common cause of fatigue and scalp hair loss. It can be caused by –

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Poor gut absorption, especially if you are gluten intolerant
  • Having parasites or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the gut, which can steal our iron
  • If you do not eat enough iron rich foods
  • Are losing blood because of internal bleeding from the gut

A blood test for serum iron studies is an accurate way to see if you are iron deficient. Iron is needed to carry oxygen to every cell in our body so unless we have adequate iron in our body, we will remain tired. Iron is required for the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Thus iron deficient people are prone to depression, anxiety and poor motivation.

Zinc

This mineral is necessary for a healthy immune system. Being low in zinc predisposes a person to repeated infections. Zinc is also needed for collagen production and wound healing, thus healthy skin is reliant on zinc. Women who are low in zinc are more likely to get painful menstrual cramps. Zinc helps reduce the production of pro inflammatory prostaglandins which cause cramps. It also improves circulation to the pelvic organs, helping relieve congestion. Zinc deficiency is a common culprit in acne.

Zinc is found in animal foods such as meat, seafood, poultry and eggs. There is some zinc in plant foods such as nuts, seeds and legumes, but the phytic acid in those foods binds with zinc and severely compromises its absorption. A blood test can tell you if you’re zinc deficient. It’s a common finding in my female patients. Collagen Food powder contains zinc plus other nutrients required for healthy hair, skin and nails.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for human health and is needed for the genes in the nucleus of the cells to repair damage. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant which fights free radicals and binds heavy metals. Selenium is essential for healthy function of the immune system, heart and reproductive system. In 1977 a study found that elderly people living in North Norfolk in the UK, lived longer because their soils were rich in selenium. Many studies have shown that a protective dose of selenium is 100 to 200mcg daily. The high sulphur content of most fertilizers reduces the availability of selenium to our bodies. Cooking can also drain selenium from foods.

Magnesium

Magnesium is required for optimal function of muscles and nerves so you can understand why we need adequate amounts to relax. Magnesium is required for over 300 enzyme systems that regulate biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It contributes to the structural development of bone and makes your bones and tendons stronger. An adult body contains approximately 25 grams of magnesium, with approximately 60% present in the bones. Patients with osteoporosis benefit from a magnesium supplement.

Less than 1% of total body magnesium is in the blood serum and this makes blood tests an inaccurate way to check if you have enough magnesium in your body. Foods high in magnesium include - almonds, spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, avocado, cashews and peanuts. If your muscles are tight, your blood pressure is high, your sleep is poor and you feel restless, you may be low in magnesium. Anxiety is a common manifestation of magnesium deficiency.

Iodine

Iodine is an essential trace mineral and is needed for the manufacture of thyroid hormone and a healthy immune system. Iodine helps to maintain healthy cells and tissue in the thyroid gland, breasts, ovaries and prostate gland. It is also an excellent natural antibiotic. Obviously, we do not want to be deficient in this life enhancing mineral, but many people are. Worldwide approximately 2 billion people suffer iodine deficiency. Deficiencies are common in all countries including rich countries. The iodine-replete healthy adult has 15–20 mg of iodine in their body and 80% of this is stored in the thyroid gland. It is also accumulated by breast and prostate tissue. To see if you are deficient in iodine you can have a urine test to measure the concentration of iodine in your urine. Average normal urinary iodine concentrations are 100–199 mcg/L in children and adults, 150–249 mcg/L in pregnant women and >100 mcg/L in lactating women. If your levels fall into these ranges this indicates that you have adequate iodine in your body.

Thyroid Health capsules and Breast Health capsules are both an excellent source of iodine.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease