Watch out for vitamin and mineral deficiencies

It’s getting harder and harder to eat healthy and get clean food. Both individual health and planetary health are rapidly approaching a difficult turning point. There are many reasons for this… Artificial fertilizers used to increase crop yields in agriculture poison both the soil and our body. The microplastics that the sea and sea creatures are exposed to also pollute us, from breast milk to our lungs and blood.

Air and soil pollution, declining soil quality, even economic reasons… While inadequate and unbalanced nutrition causes many health problems, the incidence of micronutrient deficiencies is increasing every day. The most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies are vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

A lack of certain vitamins can cause slow metabolism and weight problems. For example, even if you cannot achieve your desired ideal weight, there may be a lack of vitamins and minerals. Of course, the most accurate source for correcting a vitamin deficiency in the first place should be foods, and remember that such a deficiency can be prevented with a balanced nutrition plan. Do not neglect the identification of vitamin and mineral deficiencies with blood tests under the supervision of a physician.

If you have complaints of fatigue and weakness

Among the most common symptoms of taking vitamins and minerals are complaints of fatigue and weakness. The feedback I have received from my clients and social circle in recent days suggests that such complaints have increased. I always evaluate the blood tests of my clients, whose fatigue and weakness continue for a long time, and contact their physicians. I can say with confidence that vitamin D is one of the most deficient. Vitamin D is so important for bone health that it is now considered a hormone. This deficiency, which we often experience in recent times, occurs in many people due to insufficient sun exposure and can cause symptoms such as slow metabolism, weakness, loss of strength and muscle spasms. This deficiency can also cause weight problems due to slow metabolism.

When you think of anemia, the first thing that comes to mind is iron deficiency. But B12 deficiency can cause anemia, just like iron deficiency. With age, B12 absorption and its ability to accumulate in the body decrease. It is claimed that due to the growing number of people who eat vegan, bariatric, i.e. surgical methods of obesity, and improper dietary programs, this is becoming more and more noticeable. Mood changes that are not as severe as clinical depression, anxiety, lack of attention, and cognitive symptoms such as mental fog, memory weakness, and inability to focus for long periods of time may also indicate the same deficit.

There are also digestive symptoms. The gut is actually part of our nervous system and zinc is very important for the gut. By ensuring proper use of the digestive enzymes needed to bind insulin to cells, zinc supports the use of glucose for fuel rather than being stored as fat. Thus, people who take enough zinc, it becomes much easier to control weight.

1. Is it possible to make up for these shortcomings with food?

I wish we could get all the nutrients we need from food, because that’s usually how it should be. But this is unlikely, and there are many reasons. First, the change in soil quality. Soil cannot adequately nourish plants because the chemical fertilizers, pesticides, industrial agriculture and monocropping used in agriculture over the past 50 years have changed the soil microbiome. There is a decrease of 20-40 percent of vitamins and minerals. We need to eat eight oranges to get the nutrition our grandfathers got from one orange. In just two generations there have been such big changes. The sugar and flavor content of the orange increases, but the nutritional value decreases.

Second, the industrial food system. The abandonment of the local organic food system has led to a decrease in nutritional value. As soon as the plant leaves the soil, it begins to lose nutrients. Having traveled hundreds and thousands of kilometers, the food that falls on your table loses its nutritional value by 40-50 percent. This is due to new methods of cultivation and distribution.

In short, we do not live in the same world as our ancestors did. If you hunt or gather your natural food, if you are not exposed to environmental toxins, if you do not suffer from chronic stress, if you sleep nine hours a night, if you go to bed in the sun and drink water since spring, no additional feeding is needed. But for those who don’t, it’s a must.

2. What should be considered when choosing a dietary supplement?

As a human being, we expect the products we use to be beneficial. When it comes to nutritional supplements, two topics have received particular attention in recent years. Biocompatibility and bioavailability. While biocompatibility depends on how well the active substance adapts to our body, bioavailability depends on how well the active substance is absorbed. Currently, technology is used that covers both of these problems. The name of this technology is liposomal technology.

3. What is liposomal technology? What are the benefits of this technology?

Liposomal technology, which means lipid body, was first developed in 1964. This technology strongly mimics our cells. Technology that is compatible and approved in terms of EU legislation. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the absorption of the active substance, preventing the occurrence of side effects.

Liposomal technology can be briefly defined as a technology that creates structures very similar to cells and ensures efficient distribution of the active substance within the body. These formed structures are called liposomal globules. Liposomal globules are formed by surrounding an active substance (eg vitamin C, vitamin D) with a double layer of phospholipids. Phospholipids are one of the main components of cell membranes in our body. That is, liposomal globules mimic natural cell membranes. This phospholipid layer on the outside of the active substance prevents deterioration of the active substance due to changes in enzymes or pH (acidity) levels in the body. Thus, liposomal technology contributes to the improvement and prolongation of the effect.

Thanks to this technology, liposomes are biocompatible, able to reach their target without being affected by digestive enzymes, and all the active substance can be delivered to the target. In other words, nutritional supplements with liposomal technology have high absorption and great benefits. On the other hand, they do not cause digestive complaints and do not interact with any food. You can easily use it in case of deficiency by consulting your doctor, whether you are hungry or full.

This article was prepared by Dilara Koçak, Wellness and Nutrition Specialist.