Did you know? Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread across the globe in both developed and developing countries. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 people in the US has at least 10 mineral deficiencies.
Before we address the ways to replenish our mineral deficiencies, it’s worth asking the question, why are we so mineral deficient?
What Causes Mineral Deficiencies?
Nutrient deficiencies are most commonly caused by poor diet or impaired nutrient absorption. Malabsorption can stem from certain conditions such as pancreatitis or cirrhosis, or medications including oral contraceptives. Either of these alone or in combination can lead to several deficiencies.
But diet itself is another major cause of deficiencies. As we know, the Standard American Diet (SAD) is imbalanced, providing a lot of calories and few nutrients. The nutrients we consume in abundance may be causing deficiencies in others.
According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, as too much zinc can lead to copper deficiencies, too little copper can lead to iron overload, and the mineral imbalances spiral from there. Diets that are too limited or too restrictive will eventually lead to overload in some minerals – and cause severe deficiencies in others.
The Mineral Fix
So how do we avoid becoming mineral deficient? To create a comprehensive diet that balances minerals and includes plenty of trace minerals, the foundation of the meal must be a mineral-rich food. For Dr. DiNicolantonio, this might include red muscle meat which will meet the protein, iron, zinc, and B12 requirements for that meal.
To meet the RDA for his trace minerals, he suggests supplementing (with food) and including organ meats such as liver for vitamin A, folate, and copper, and some dark greens for potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, Dr. DiNicolantonio is a huge advocate for bicarbonate water. This is an easy way to get plenty of bioavailable magnesium and calcium with no additional calories.
Drawing from his new book, The Mineral Fix, Dr. DiNicolantono explains that the main reason why people are suffering from chronic disease and early death is that they are overfed and undernourished. By delving into all the ways we drive ourselves toward mineral deficiencies, Dr. DiNicolantonio provides an easy guide to replenishing our mineral deficiencies and restoring our proper health.
I think probably the main issue is people just aren’t selecting the right combinations of foods because as we go in the book, the minerals have to be balanced.”
About Dr. DiNicolantonio
Dr. James DiNicolantonio is a cardiovascular research scientist and doctor of pharmacy at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. Author of The Salt Fix and Superfuel, Dr. DiNicolantonio is a well-respected and internationally known scientist and expert on health and nutrition.
He has contributed extensively to health policy and has even testified on the harms of added sugars. He is the author or co-author of approximately 200 publications in the medical literature and is also on the editorial advisory boards of several medical journals. Dr. DiNicoltanoio has shared his expertise on The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and international news media outlets.
* Disclaimer: The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products or treatments mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a licensed medical practitioner for medical advice. At Innovative Medicine, we believe in transparency. We want you to know that we may participate in affiliate advertising programs pertaining to products mentioned herein.
