With millions of Americans struggling to maintain a healthy weight, it may seem ironic that nutritional deficiencies are increasingly common in the US and other developed countries where food is plentiful and readily available. Yet inadequate nutrition—not lack of calories—may be a major contributing factor to obesity and metabolic disease.
Most of us get plenty of macronutrients in the form of fats, carbohydrates and protein. But many foods offer only limited amounts of micronutrients like vitamins, minerals and enzymes that our bodies need to function at their best. In addition to having low nutrient density, many fast and processed foods that are a mainstay in Western diets are full of harmful chemicals, sugars and fats that can disrupt the function of your brain, gut and vital organs.
Common Western Nutritional Deficiencies
Many changes in the way we live over the past several decades have contributed significantly to an increase in nutritional deficiencies. With both men and women in the workforce, meals cooked from scratch using wholesome ingredients have been replaced with fast and processed foods that are quick and easy to prepare. The school lunch program that once offered balanced nutrition to our nation’s school children now provides mostly high calorie junk food and sugary drinks. Both children and adults spend more time indoors, and less time playing outside in the sunshine.
These changes have led to some common nutritional deficiencies in Westerners, including:
- Vitamin D deficiency: technology, safety concerns and budgetary issues have led both children and adults to spend more time indoors, depriving them of Vitamin D necessary for healthy bones and multiple metabolic processes.
- Deficiency in antioxidant Vitamins C and E: Antioxidants protect cells from oxidative stress and free radicals that can reduce immune function and lead to cancer.
- Iron deficiency: Red blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body rely on iron to make the protein hemoglobin. Iron metabolism is also dependent on adequate levels of Vitamin C.
- B-Vitamin deficiency: B-Vitamins regulate energy, mood, the nervous system, brain function, skin health and many more vital processes in the human body.
- Deficiency in minerals Calcium and Magnesium: Calcium plays a vital role in heart health, energy metabolism and bone mineral density. Magnesium is essential for regulating nerves, hormones and countless other bodily functions.
Glutathione deficiency: Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy liver function and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Risk Factors for Micronutrient Deficiency
In addition to inadequate nutrient density in your daily diet, certain activities or circumstances may increase your need for extra micronutrients.
- Vegan or vegetarian diet (B-Vitamin and Iron deficiency)
- Limited sun exposure (Vitamin D deficiency)
- Stressful lifestyle (B-Vitamin, Vitamin C and magnesium deficiencies)
- High physical activity levels (amino acid, B, C, iron, calcium and magnesium deficiencies)
- Pre-menopausal (iron, B-12, folate and vitamin C deficiencies)
- Restricted calorie diet (overall micronutrient deficiency)
- Older adult (overall micronutrient deficiency)
How Micronutrient IV Therapy Can Help
It is difficult to tell without undergoing a complex laboratory analysis if you are suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Even then, nutrient levels established as minimal may be too low to meet your unique lifestyle demands.
For decades, doctors have recommended a multivitamin supplement as a means of ensuring you get enough essential nutrients. However, there is little evidence to support the efficacy of oral supplements, which must be broken down and absorbed in your digestive tract before your body can use them.
Micronutrient IV therapy is becoming increasingly popular among individuals whose lifestyles demand high levels of physical and mental performance. Because IV treatment bypasses your digestive tract, potent micronutrients are directly infused into your bloodstream, becoming immediately available for cellular repair, hormone production, and metabolic support throughout your body.
Micronutrient IV therapy Support in NYC
Do not allow micronutrient deficiencies to slow you down or make you sick. Advanced Cryo NYC offers a variety of micronutrient cocktails to meet the unique demands of your active lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule your micronutrient IV session in our SoHo, financial district or Broadway clinics.
