In fact, micronutrient inadequacies are fairly common in the U.S. even amongst people who consider themselves models of health. Even slight micronutrient deficiencies may create a general drag on the body, depleted people feeling more fatigued, cognitively foggy, with sluggish immune systems.
Stress demands more of us physiologically, depleting magnesium and b vitamins for instance, both of which we require to stay mellow and resilient. See the unfortunate feedback loop here?
Maybe you’re on a restricted diet? Paleo dieters may be at increased risk for iodine insufficiency, while those on a carbohydrate restricted diet may be missing out on thiamine, folate, magnesium, calcium, iron, and iodine.
75% of U.S. women don’t meet the RDA for magnesium, which is the bare minimum to not suffer deficiency symptoms.
Vegans and Vegetarians (who don’t regularly eat seaweed) are also more susceptible to iodine deficiency, as are pregnant women. A 2019 review examining declining iodine intakes amongst women of reproductive age argues dietary restrictions may be in part to blame. People eating less dairy, avoiding salt, and fearing cholesterol from eggs may be missing out on the richest (non-oceanic) sources of this nutrient.
The 2003-2006 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found Americans to be getting on average less than HALF (7.2mg) of the recommendation daily allowance (15mg) of vitamin E. My studies are illuminating some major blind spots in my own diet where I really need to step it up.
I’ll be meeting the challenge by spotlighting feral foods that can help. Over my break I’ll be working on a longer post about my new mineral sweetheart, magnesium, that I’ll share with you when we meet again, along with some preparations centering this crusty friend.
Until then!