The Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies
By Sara Butler
Most people get what their bodies need from the foods they eat each day. But sometimes what you eat isn't checking all of your body's nutrition boxes and you end up with a nutrient deficiency. If you do experience a deficiency, then chances are it's one of these common nutrient deficiencies.
Calcium Deficiency
According to the National Institutes of Health, calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body. Your body uses it for a variety of functions, too. It helps to build strong bones and teeth as most people know, but it also is necessary for proper muscle function, vascular contraction, hormone secretion, and nerve transmission.
People between the ages of 19 and 70 should get between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. You can get this by drinking milk and eating other dairy products, but you can also get it from vegetables such as kale, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli.
If you're concerned that you may have a calcium deficiency, then talk with a healthcare professional.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D and calcium go hand and hand since Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin; your body more easily absorbs it if it's paired with fat which is often found in dairy products. That's why you see so many dairy products and breakfast cereals (eaten with milk) fortified with Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is another nutrient that is critical to bone health. It is found naturally in fatty fish such as salmon, in egg yolks, liver, and mushrooms. Your body can also naturally produce it when exposed to sunlight.
Iron Deficiency
Iron is vital to your body's ability to make hemoglobin, which is the substance in your blood that carries oxygen to every cell in your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that about 10 percent of American women are deficient in this nutrient. If you are low in it, then it can cause anemia, which can cause you to feel tired, have chest pain, and experience shortness of breath.
You can be more susceptible to iron deficiency if you live in environments that are unhealthy such as water with high levels of lead. But this deficiency can also be due to genes or diet. If you're worried you may be iron deficient, then it's important to talk to a healthcare professional.
Nutritional deficiencies are serious, so if you suspect you have one, then talk to a healthcare professional right away.
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