How Useful Are Dietary Supplements?

10 Possible Causes of Nutrient Deficiency

• 1. Not Enough Fruits and Vegetables
  The average German eats only 289 grams of fruits and vegetables per day! This is far too little, as even official sources recommend 400 g, which we consider to be the absolute minimum, especially when it comes to vegetable consumption (fruit should be eaten in moderation due to its usually high glycemic load). Since only 27% of women and 20% of men reach this amount, it is no wonder that many of us are missing out on essential vitamins, fiber, minerals and trace elements. But even if we eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, we may still be missing out on nutrients. This is because many fruits and vegetables are often of poor quality, harvested unripe, or overheated during preparation. All of this leads to nutrient losses.
• 2. Too little high-quality protein (amino acids)
  GVegans and vegetarians in particular have the challenge of replacing animal protein adequately and sufficiently in their diet. But also pregnant women, seniors, athletes, sick people or people who would like to stay vital have an increased need for amino acids. Not without reason are these considered the basis of all life. A sufficient and high-quality supply is essential for our health, since amino acids are responsible for cell formation and cell regeneration, among other things.
• 3. Insufficient Sunlight (Vitamin D3)
  As northern and central Europeans, we are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to getting enough sunlight each day. However, our bodies desperately need it to produce the vital vitamin D. Among other things, vitamin D controls calcium absorption in our bones and strengthens our body’s defenses. Unfortunately, even a long walk each day is not enough to provide us with enough vitamin D3 – especially during the cold and dark season.



• 4. High Stress Levels
  We are all exposed to a variety of stressful situations on a daily basis: high pressure to perform at work, school or college, caring for family in addition to work, homeschooling, financial responsibilities, etc. This constant stress is an ideal breeding ground for free radicals, which can cause an imbalance in nutrition. Antioxidants provide effective protection against free radicals.
• 5. Food Denatured by Industrial Processing
  Here is a rule of thumb: The more industrially processed a food is, the fewer nutrients it usually contains. However, because our modern, stressful lifestyles are usually tightly scheduled, many of us reach for ready-to-eat foods on a daily basis. Sandwiches, instant soups, convenience foods, and even supposedly “healthy” options like yogurt, instant cereal, and soy products tend to be very low in nutrients.

• 6. Mineral Deficient Soils
  A fact that even the most balanced diet cannot avoid: Fruits and vegetables are often so low in nutrients because many soils have simply been depleted by modern, efficiency-oriented agriculture. The use of fertilizers does the rest, so that the nutrient soil for our food is neither particularly rich nor sustainable.
• 7. Too Much Sugar and Carbohydrates
  It is human nature to prefer sweet foods. After all, our first taste perception is our mother’s milk, which is said to have a slightly sweet taste. Unfortunately, we often overindulge in sweet things these days. Foods and beverages containing sugar and carbohydrates dominate our daily diets, while nutrient-dense foods are increasingly relegated to the background. As a result, the more sugar we eat, the fewer vitamins and minerals we absorb. A fact that was confirmed just last year by the University of Lund in Sweden.
• 8. Not Enough Fish (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
  Not only vegans and vegetarians are affected by an omega-3 deficiency, but also many “omnivores”, and so many of us consume too much omega-6 fatty acids, but at the same time suffer from an acute omega-3 deficiency. It should be obvious that regular consumption of fish sticks or fried fish sandwiches is not the answer. Instead, high-quality sea fish from sustainable organic aquaculture should be on the menu at least once a week, but since this is not always readily available and fish from conventional aquaculture or wild-caught fish are often heavily contaminated with heavy metals, vegan algae oil can be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• 9. Increased Nutrient Needs in Different Life Situations
  Of course, nutrient needs vary greatly depending on your life situation. Pregnant women, seniors, athletes, children, vegans, vegetarians, people with health problems, smokers or people with high stress levels have increased nutrient requirements. This clearly deviates from the official recommendations and should therefore be adequately covered.
• 10. Regular Use of Medications
  What many people are not aware of is that taking certain medications can lead to severe nutrient deficiencies. The list of medications is very long and beyond the scope of this article. So here’s our tip: Talk to your doctor or therapist about how you can avoid nutrient deficiencies when taking medications, or look for suitable alternatives together.