Chronic micronutrient deficiencies lead to degenerative diseases
When our bodies are starved of oxygen, blood flow is redirected from non-vital organs to those crucial for survival - the heart, brain and adrenal glands (1). This is an example of physiological triage — a survival mechanism.
Could micronutrients also be allocated by triage in times of shortages? According to Prof. Bruce Ames the answer is yes (1). When micronutrients — vitamins and minerals, as well as other biochemicals like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids — are in short supply, available micronutrients are first used for life-preserving physiological functions.
Problem solved? In the short run, yes. But in the long run we pay a heavy price for chronic deficiencies in micronutrients; the forced neglect of vital maintenance functions like DNA repair, immune function and other systems not needed for immediate survival eventually leads to health problems. Micronutrient shortages have been linked to mitochondrial damage resulting in increased free radical production, cell damage and late onset diseases like cancer (1).
Because vital bodily functions remain unimpaired in times of micronutrient deficiencies, the problem may unfortunately not be noticed for some time; neglect of DNA repair doesn′t manifest itself immediately in clinical symptoms. We can go on for quite some time falsely believing that we are getting all the nutrients we need from our "balanced diet". Once clinical symptoms appear the damage is done.
Is micronutrient deficiency really such a problem? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. For example, the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that micronutrient shortages are widespread in the U.S. population (1). Many of the participants in that study had vitamin and mineral intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). EAR values are even lower than recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values, which in turn are widely believed to be inadequate (2). The situation in other industrialized countries isn′t any better.
Micronutrient deficiency is definitely a problem. Since our eating habits don′t change over time, any nutritional deficiencies are likely chronic. Supplementation is therefore a must for most of us. Taking a daily multivitamin-mineral (MVM) complex is an inexpensive and effective solution with big payoffs down the road:
“Micronutrient inadequacies are widespread in the population, and a MVM supplement is inexpensive. A solution is to encourage MVM supplementation, particularly in those groups with widespread deficiencies such as the poor, teenagers, the obese, African Americans, and the elderly, in addition to urging people to eat a more balanced diet.” (1)
Sources
Could micronutrients also be allocated by triage in times of shortages? According to Prof. Bruce Ames the answer is yes (1). When micronutrients — vitamins and minerals, as well as other biochemicals like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids — are in short supply, available micronutrients are first used for life-preserving physiological functions.
Problem solved? In the short run, yes. But in the long run we pay a heavy price for chronic deficiencies in micronutrients; the forced neglect of vital maintenance functions like DNA repair, immune function and other systems not needed for immediate survival eventually leads to health problems. Micronutrient shortages have been linked to mitochondrial damage resulting in increased free radical production, cell damage and late onset diseases like cancer (1).
Because vital bodily functions remain unimpaired in times of micronutrient deficiencies, the problem may unfortunately not be noticed for some time; neglect of DNA repair doesn′t manifest itself immediately in clinical symptoms. We can go on for quite some time falsely believing that we are getting all the nutrients we need from our "balanced diet". Once clinical symptoms appear the damage is done.
Is micronutrient deficiency really such a problem? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. For example, the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that micronutrient shortages are widespread in the U.S. population (1). Many of the participants in that study had vitamin and mineral intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). EAR values are even lower than recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values, which in turn are widely believed to be inadequate (2). The situation in other industrialized countries isn′t any better.
Micronutrient deficiency is definitely a problem. Since our eating habits don′t change over time, any nutritional deficiencies are likely chronic. Supplementation is therefore a must for most of us. Taking a daily multivitamin-mineral (MVM) complex is an inexpensive and effective solution with big payoffs down the road:
“Micronutrient inadequacies are widespread in the population, and a MVM supplement is inexpensive. A solution is to encourage MVM supplementation, particularly in those groups with widespread deficiencies such as the poor, teenagers, the obese, African Americans, and the elderly, in addition to urging people to eat a more balanced diet.” (1)
Sources
- Ames BN. Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation of scarce resources by triage. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006;103(47):17589-17594.
http://www.pnas.org/content/103/47/17589.full.pdf - Doctors say, raise the RDAs now. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 30, 2007.
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n10.shtml
Posted by Helmut Beierbeck at 2/23/2010 4:12 PM 
Categories: minerals, vitamins, dietary supplements, omega-3 fatty acids
Categories: minerals, vitamins, dietary supplements, omega-3 fatty acids
My mother must have known that a daily multivitamin-mineral complex supplement was a good idea way back in the 1950s. Those once-a-day pills were an inexpensive and effective solution to the potential lack of nutrients (or specific micro-nutrients) in our diets. Even though she prepared balanced meals, she could never be sure I wasn't hiding the liver in my table napkin.
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This makes total sense. If the body isn't getting enough of the important vitamins and minerals it needs, this ultimately leads to diseases and degeneration.
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I just started taking multivitamins about 3 years ago, most of it were Vit C. then later found out that i need some other Vit like b-complex due some nerve thing thats giving me pain any where and due to stress. I now asked my parent to take some multi vit too...
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We can go on for quite some time falsely believing that we are getting all the nutrients we need from our "balanced diet".
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