While it is a well-known fact that there are multiple essential nutrients needed to live a healthy lifestyle, many people still struggle to have a sufficient amount of nutrients in their bodies to thrive. There are a number of reasons why one might have nutritional deficiencies including poor eating habits, but luckily there are also an array of ways to boost your nutrient levels to the proper amount. Nutrients are also needed in order to maintain a strong digestive and gastrointestinal system.
Three Common Nutritional Deficiencies and the Symptoms to Identify
Iron Deficiency
Iron combines with hemoglobin within your body to give oxygen to your cells. There are two types of iron called heme iron and non-heme iron. The latter can be found in both vegetables and meats whereas the former is found primarily in meats, but is easier to absorb. Both types of iron contribute to your overall iron levels, but certain groups of people might find it harder to keep their iron levels in tiptop shape.
Specifically, women might struggle with their iron levels due to the amount of blood they lose during their monthly period. Vegetarians might also find it hard to keep their iron levels high, because they have to depend on non-heme iron which is harder for a body to absorb. Some of the symptoms that can be identified with an iron deficiency include the following: fatigue, a weakened immune system, lack of brain function, and can sometimes cause bloating. Click here for more information on ways to boost immunity.
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is a mineral that is needed to maintain the body’s thyroid function, which is essential because your body needs proper thyroid levels to maintain your metabolic rate and help the development of one’s body by releasing the thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. Usually an iodine deficiency can be identified by monitoring the thyroid gland in the body, and if the thyroid gland seems to be larger than normal that can be an indicator your body has an iodine deficiency. Other symptoms you might identify are shortness of breath, a quick heart rate, and irregular weight gain. Since an iodine deficiency can cause irregularities in your metabolic rate, it can in turn affect your digestive process leading to more digestive issues.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D helps your body absorb substances such as calcium and phosphorus which are essential in creating healthy strong bones. Vitamin D has also been known to reduce inflammation within the body and reduce infections within the body. Vitamin D is a vitamin that helps with bloating and can be incorporated into your daily routine to minimize inflammation that can be attributed to a poor gastrointestinal system. Vitamin D can be maintained through certain foods and through cholesterol in your skin when exposed to sunlight.
Since the majority of Vitamin D can only be maintained from sunlight, it is essential to safely go outside every day to get your daily dose of this essential vitamin. If you are somewhere where getting sunlight is hard to come by, you might consider looking into vitamin D supplements or putting foods that have vitamin D and incorporating them into your meals as much as you can. Some of these foods include fatty fish such as salmon and egg yolks.
How To Boost Your Nutrient Levels
You will come to find that it can actually be quite easy to boost your nutrient levels when you do find yourself with a deficiency. While it will take some more dedication and meal planning, it will be well worth it to know you are giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. In relation to the three deficiencies we identified, there are certain foods you can incorporate into your meals to boost your intake.
The best sources of heme iron are red meat, liver, clams, mussels, and sardines. These are all great staples that can be the star of any dish and can be added to a bed of lettuce, rice, or pasta for a quick dinner. For those who prefer to stay away from eating meat, beans and leafy greens such as broccoli and kale can give you non-heme iron. Seaweed, dairy, eggs, and fish are all great sources for anyone struggling with an iodine deficiency, but be sure to be wary of dairy as it is a common food intolerance that can negatively impact your digestion.
Nutrients Needed to Best Support Your Digestive System
Some of the primary nutrients needed in order to best support your digestive system include iron and vitamin D – which are described above– as well as B vitamins and vitamin C. B vitamins make sure that the stomach and intestines are working correctly and can help protect your abdomen from pain/discomfort. Vitamin C is essential, because it helps to make sure you are correctly absorbing iron and can give you an immunity boost. While B vitamins can be found in fish, dairy, and meat, vitamin C is primarily found in fruits and vegetables. Specifically, vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, brussel sprouts, and spinach.
Our product Metaboliz contains the B vitamin called B-12 and iodine making it enriched with multiple nutrients that support your digestive system. Metaboliz is a bloat reducing supplement that was curated with your energy levels in mind, as it is recommended to be taken in the middle of the day to ensure your metabolism is helping move the food already consumed along the digestive process and that you are getting optimal energy for the remainder of the day. It also works to aid in cognitive function and boost thyroid health which we now know could be attributed to an iodine deficiency. All of our products contain an array of nutrients to create a balanced support system for you that is both convenient and efficient. Our 3-step wellness routine is a great addition to the new foods you are incorporating for a healthier body and were all curated with natural ingredients and your health in mind!