Mineral Deficiency HRS+Why mineral deficiency is so common in the 21st century
Nutrient deficiencies are just as common in developed countries as they are in poor countries. In fact, in the U.S., many people are overfed but undernourished, suggesting that food availability and food accessibility don’t necessarily translate to good nutrition.
The quality of the food you eat matters just as much – if not more – than the quantity. Sadly, statistics show that processed foods, which have little nutritional value, make up close to 70% of the typical American diet. A survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018 also reveals that more than one in three Americans consume fast food on any given day.
Over the past two decades, national surveys have revealed that children and adults in the U.S. consume more added sugar than several essential nutrients. This unhealthy diet, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, not only leads to serious health problems like diabetes, obesity and heart disease, it also puts people at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Why nutrient deficiencies have become a global health problem
Aside from unhealthy food choices, there’s a more pressing issue behind the rampant deficiency in vitamins and minerals observed among the general population. As reported by a study published in Environmental Geochemistry and Health, about one-third of arable soils worldwide are deficient in micronutrients, particularly minerals like zinc.