Vitamins & Minerals

The CDC says that 6 out of 10 U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease and 4 out of 10 two or more. It is also believed that up to 80% of sickness can be traced back to mineral deficiencies. 

There are two classes of minerals:

Macrominerals are needed in large amounts. Calcium, potassium, phosphorous, chlorine, magnesium and sulfur.

Microminerals, known as trace minerals, are needed in small amounts. Zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, fluoride, chromium, cobalt, selenium, molybdenum, silicon and vanadium.

Most Americans are deficient in one or more vitamins & minerals. Here is a list of 7 common nutrient deficiencies:

1. Potassium, according to the CDC, most Americans get too little potassium and too much sodium. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes that help your body function normally by maintaining fluid and blood volume. However, consuming too little potassium and too much sodium can raise your blood pressure.
2. Magnesium deficiency is common in Western countries, and low intake is associated with many health conditions and diseases.
   
3. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. Symptoms usually include tiredness, weakness, a weakened immune system, and impaired brain function
4. Iodine is also one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. It may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland. Severe iodine deficiency can cause mental retardation and developmental abnormalities in children.
5. Vitamin A
   
6. Vitamin D deficiency is very common. Symptoms include muscle weakness, bone loss, an increased risk of fractures, and — in children — soft bones. It is very difficult to get sufficient amounts from your diet alone.
   
7. Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common, especially in vegetarians, vegans, and older adults. The most common symptoms include blood disorders, impaired brain function, and elevated homocysteine levels.

We will be providing links for each vitamin and mineral and will included symptoms of deficiencies. We do recommend consulting your doctor if you feel have a deficiency and they can schedule a test.

What is Nutrition Testing?

Nutrients can be separated into two distinct categories:

• Macronutrients--Proteins (amino acids), Fats (saturated fats, trans fats, unsaturated fats), Carbohydrates (sugar, starch, fiber), Water.
• Micronutrients--Minerals, Vitamins and Antioxidan

Nutrition testing can be used to evaluate the levels of these macronutrients and micronutrients in the blood. Test results can be compared to a reference range of normal values, and help doctors diagnose nutritional deficiencies. 

Nutritional testing has many uses in functional medicine, such as in assessing blood chemistry, hormone function, gut health, metabolic function, blood sugar regulation, food sensitivities and allergies, organ function and more.

What Minerals and Vitamins Work Together?

• B vitamins work together (such as in a B complex supplement that contains B12, folate, B6, etc.), so they can/should be taken together
• Vitamin C and iron (C helps the body absorb more iron, from both foods and supplements)
• Vitamin K and calcium (both support skeletal and heart health)
• Vitamin D and calcium (together support absorption, bone health and healthy immune system function)
• Vitamin E and C (antioxidants that together promote healthy cells)
• Electrolytes such as potassium and sodium (help to balance fluid levels together)

Vitamins and Minerals Not To Be Taken Together

For maximum absorption, the following vitamins & minerals should not be taken together in higher amounts: 

• Vitamin C and vitamin B12
• Calcium and magnesium
• Iron and calcium
• Zinc and magnesium
• Copper and zinc
• Vitamin K and other vitamins (like C and E)

Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

If you are taking a multivitamin & mineral supplement this will be impossible to do. However, if you are taking individual, then space them out between different meals.

Multivitamins can help to fill in nutritional gaps in your diet if you are unable to meet your needs through your diet alone. Most multivitamins have a low potency and are full of harmful chemicals, artificial coloring and sweeteners. Look for whole food vitamins and supplement minerals.

Nutrient Depleted Soil

From the plants we eat to the soil that provides food for the animals we eat, Soil provides us with 98.8% of our food. Soil is vital for human survival, yet modern farming and agricultural practices are quickly destroying it. Worldwide, one-third of the Earth’s soil is at least moderately degraded, and over half of the land used for agriculture has some level of degradation.