Sure, you’re eating a high-quality diet that includes lots of whole-food sources of vitamins and minerals, but your body may not be absorbing all of the nutrients. Even though you’re eating all the appropriate meals, if the micronutrients you’re consuming aren’t absorbed into your total system properly, you could develop micronutrient deficiency even though you’re eating plenty of nutritious foods.
First, let’s identify what micronutrients are. It’s a term that refers to all of the vitamins and minerals you need in tiny amounts through diet or supplementation because your body doesn’t create them naturally. Cobalt, copper, iodine, chromium, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, B vitamins , and other antioxidants and minerals are among them.
3 Mistakes That Prevent Proper Micronutrient Absorption
As you age and are exposed to illness, your body’s natural micronutrient production decreases, so dietary and vitamin supplementation are required as you get older. However, if your body is not absorbing them, taking supplements won’t help.
How can you tell whether you are micronutrient deficient? Try keeping track of your meals and see if you’re getting sufficient amounts of the major nutrients (such as vitamins A, C, D, and E) first. Second, see your doctor. Some of the more prevalent deficiencies may be detected via a blood test (for example, iron).
Since there’s so much incorrect information about multivitamins and the best method to absorb nutrients, let’s clarify three things that might prevent your body from absorbing them properly.
1. Taking the Wrong Supplement
Synthetic binding chemicals in some supplements could cause interactions with other medicines, digestive problems, and a variety of other health concerns that can interfere with adequate micronutrient absorption.
To prevent this, consume foods high in these nutrients rather than supplements. If you do need to take a vitamin supplement, look for ones that have been certified by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention or NSF International and are independently tested and reviewed. The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements has a great Vitamin Supplements Fact Sheet where
2. Not Keeping Your Gut Healthy
Taking supplements may help to relieve nutrient insufficiency, but until a full health program is followed, your intestines may not absorb micronuts effectively. Probiotics can aid in the improved function of the immune system, digestion and assimilation of micronutrients.
Eliminate refined carbs like bleached flour that come from your diet, drink refrigerated probiotics, increase your fiber consumption, and eat phytonutrient-rich fruits and vegetables like carrots, squash, peaches, tomatoes, mangoes, blueberries.
3. Drinking Too Much Alcohol
The body’s ability to absorb vitamins is also hampered by chronic alcohol consumption. Thiamin (vitamin B-1) is crucial for proper cell function and usage in the treatment of digestive issues, immune disorders, metabolic diseases, canker sores, and eye problems.
So What Can You Do?
Aside from selecting high-quality vitamins, consuming a healthy gut diet and minimizing alcohol consumption, there are three simple methods to guarantee your body receives all of the micronutrients it needs from its food and functions at peak efficiency.
However, before using any of these, make sure you’re actually deficient and get permission from your specialist. After all, you could have too much of a good thing. While your body generally eliminates extra vitamins and minerals via vomiting or other mechanisms, you don’t want to waste time trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
1. Tinctures or Liquid Minerals
Fillers and additives in commercial multivitamins can impact micronutrient absorption, therefore tinctures and liquid minerals are alternatives. Tinctures are alcoholic or glycerin-based herbal extracts that absorb phytochemicals and help the body process vitamins more effectively, while minimally processed liquid supplements can help the body handle vitamins more efficiently.
2. Transdermal Application
For individuals who have skin issues that aren’t helped by oral vitamin and mineral supplements, Dr. Prasad advises utilizing a micronutrient and mineral-rich body wrap. A transdermal liquid combination of iron, copper, and manganese is used to promote enzyme reactions and accelerate collagen synthesis, as well as enhance skin cell regeneration, according to Dr. Prasad.
3. Additional Supplementation
While a normal multivitamin provides the necessary micro nutrients, you might want to take things a step further. Prasad suggests taking curcumin, resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein supplements.
Curcumin helps to protect your cells from oxidative damage and inflammation in a variety of ways. Resveratrol increases mitochondria function, allowing them to create more energy. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain function. And lutein is required for eye health.