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Micronutrients Matter. Deficiencies more common in IBS and IBD patients.
Micronutrients matter. The human body may require micronutrients in small doses, but these vitamins and minerals are crucial to basic physiological functions such as metabolism, growth, and development. Deficiencies in one or more of these micronutrients may lead to detrimental health impacts, including chronic disease.
Nutrient Deficiencies in the U.S.
Did you know that 5-10% of the population has IBS? Most people with IBS are under the age of 50 and the exact cause isn't known. Symptoms may result from a disturbance in the way the gut, brain, and nervous system interact. This can cause changes in normal bowel movements and sensation. You can develop a leaky gut from these changes, which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.
Even if you aren't suffering from digestive problems, 70% of Americans don't consume the recommended daily intake of essential micronutrients. 51% of Americans don't get enough calcium to support bone health, and 30 million Americans are deficient in Vitamin B6.
An analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that micronutrient malnutrition is common in the U.S. with an estimated 31% of the population at risk for developing one or more micronutrient deficiencies. The term hidden hunger is used to describe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This can come from a diet that lacks the necessary levels of vitamins and minerals, metabolic disorders, IBS, IBD, and other disorders.
When you can't absorb vitamins and minerals the way you should, you may see side effects like reduced immune, endocrine, or cognitive function, and delayed or inadequate physical function.
IBS and Micronutrients
Many of my clients show multiple nutrient deficiencies when tested, and it isn't surprising to me because many of them also have digestive issues.
Leaky gut can occur from diet, drinking too much alcohol, certain medications, or even from IBS or IBD. Your intestinal wall is made up of tight junctions that allow particles to move in and out of the intestine. With a leaky gut, your intestinal wall is damaged and those tiny holes become too large, leading to things leaving and entering the intestines that shouldn't be.
It is no surprise that leaky gut can also influence micronutrient absorption and keep you from absorbing the nutrients you need from your food. When I work with a client, I like to do microbiome and micronutrient testing to get to the root cause of digestive issues and check if those issues are impacting absorption.
If you're ready to dig deeper, schedule a free call with me to talk about testing.
IBD, Selenium, and Zinc
According to a new study, deficiencies in zinc and selenium may predict adverse clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on biologic therapy. More trials need to be done on this subject, but it's not surprising because we know that digestive issues can impact a patient's ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.
Investigators also saw a correlation between not being able to absorb certain vitamins in the plasma red blood cells such as selenium, vitamin K, Vitamin A, and the B Vitamins. They also saw that people who had IBS or IBD were lacking in zinc, ferritin, selenium, copper, B vitamins, and fat-soluble vitamins which are A, D, E, and K.
Micronutrients and Brain Health
A new study in the Journal of Nutrients investigated the association between dietary mineral consumption and cognitive impairment risk in a large group of patients. The study was done in Montreal, Canada and it was found that 52% of the participants were deficient in iron and manganese, and it was affecting their cognitive impairment. Modern medicine shows that we can use micronutrients and diet to help get our brains healthier and stay that way.
Where to Find High-Quality Supplements
I personally believe that you should be working with a professional when it comes to deciding which supplements to take. First, you don't want to spend money on something you don't actually need, so I recommend doing micronutrient testing to see what you're deficient in first.
Second, you don't want to just order online or go to the vitamin section at your local grocery store. You want high-quality supplements that you'll actually get a decent bang for your buck on.
Finally, if you have a leaky gut or other digestive issues, you may not be able to properly absorb nutrients even from supplements. So you may need to work with someone to heal your gut first for the best results. If you're interested in getting a micronutrient test done, click below to schedule a free call with me.
300% Price Hike on COVID-19 Treatment
Recently, Pfizer raised prices on its COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, by nearly 300% just weeks after making a price hike on its COVID-19 vaccine official. This move is right on time as payment shifts from the federal government to the commercial market. The drug is expected to be $1,390 per course.
