Just imagine, how much easier our lives would be if we were born with a ‘user guide or owner’s manual’ which could tell us what to eat and how to live healthy.
Erika Szabo

I recently spoke to a friend about nutrition, about what to eat, what to avoid, and about the different diet trends. Paleo, vegan, low carb, keto, whole30, and on we go. Nearly every day we read about the new best diet that is supposed to solve all our health issues. The information out there in the nutrition universe can be truly overwhelming. Turned out my friend was confused as so many of us are. She wanted to know what eating healthy really means.

There’s, unfortunately,  no „one-size-fits-all“. I know, it seems tempting to follow one method and believe that’s the path to „eternal“ health. We are all complex human beings with a different genetic make-up, different environmental factors, different states of health. Depending on where we are at in our lives and with our health our bodies have different nutritional needs. That’s where micronutrients come into play! You want to know what they are and why they are important?

Micronutrients – in opposition to macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) – are small compounds that are needed in minimum amounts to enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for our health and well-being. They are commonly referred to as vitamins and minerals. Minerals include compounds such as magnesium, selenium, iodine, calcium, copper, and zinc. The Vitamins are C, A, D, E, and K, as well as the B-complex vitamins. Minerals and vitamins are also important co-factors for the gazillion enzymatic reactions that take place in our bodies.

Each and every cell in our bodies is dependent on its micronutrient supply. There are around 70 billion cells in our bodies. We want to keep them as happy as possible, don’t we?  Ideally we get those vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat and when necessary from a high quality, pure substance nutritional supplement.
Most of us get enough carbs, fats, and proteins through their diet (not necessarily the good ones. We talk about them a different time). That is, unfortunately, not the case when it comes to our tiny friends the micronutrients. Did you know that 75% of the Western population does not consume enough micronutrients on a daily basis? Many peeps are overfed and undernourished. Not only do many of us choose foods that lack nutrient density, we also live in a world where we are bombarded with toxins of all kinds. Our soils are depleted due to certain agricultural methods which in turn may reduce the nutritional value of our foods.

I always remind my clients to purchase S.O.U.L foods. If we get sustainable, organic, unprocessed, local food we have already made a big step into the right direction, the path that leads to radiant health. Getting adequate amounts of micronutrients can be as simple as eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, and colorful fruits and vegetables like cherries, grapes, bananas and carrots. The more colorful our diets are, the better the chances are that we   consume enough essential micronutrients.  We love the rainbow not only in the sky but also when it comes to our food. A few quick tips include eating fruit for dessert instead of sweets, preparing vegetable-based homemade soups and salads, and adding two or more vegetable side dishes with each meal.

Unfortunately, consuming enough micronutrients by eating a healthy diet doesn’t always guarantee proper absorption of nutrients in the body. That is where bioavailibilty – meaning how much of a nutrient the body can actually absorb – comes in.  Vitamins and minerals may vary greatly in their bioavailability. Many factors such as preparation, gut health, and type of food influence how much of a certain nutrient can be absorb. While it’s always best to consume micronutrients through a healthy diet, in some circumstances supplementation of vitamins and minerals may be required. Supplements can have great benefits for our health as long as the product is sourced responsibly and we make sure that the micronutrients are properly absorbed.
Examples of common micronutrient deficiencies are iodine deficiency, Vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency. They my impact skin health, immunity, energy levels, your ability to focus, and last but not least – stress resilience. So. guys, if your health and well-being is important to you, you want to choose a nutrient dense diet and take supplements when warranted.

What else than a less than ideal diet might cause deficiencies? Taking medications, disease or recovering from a disease, and certain circumstances like stress, allergies/sensitivities, excessive workouts, injuries, and aging to name a may require you up your nutrient intake. If you are interested to book a free discovery session and learn more about how to improve your health, click here.

Stay tuned for more info on all things micronutrients and a nutrient dense diet. Why not start today with making yourself and your health a priority! 

In vibrant health,
Gaby
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