Malnourished in an overeating world
Im walking the corridors of my boys school and see everywhere kids with signs and symptoms of having nutrient deficiencies.
For me its easy to spot, as I know the signs and symptoms. How does it happen when we live in a world with so much food around us, and yet our own and our kids bodies are malnourished??
The signs and symptoms our bodies show, is not a cry for more food (more calories), but rather a cry for better high nutrient dense food. Food that will serve our bodies our daily need for vital vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals are vital for optimal health, for growing and development but also to fight off disease.
So how do our bodies get deficient in these vital compounds?
A diet consist of mainly processed, fried foods have only calories to give, but little nutritional value.
A diet that consists mainly of 1 or 2 foods, like pasta & rice. We need a variety in our diet to supply our bodies with all the minerals & vitamins.
Gastrointestinal issues like leaky gut, can prevent absorption of vitamins & minerals.
Toxins in the body, like heavy metals can block absorption of vitamins & minerals.
The vegetables & fruits we eat can be depleted from vitamins & minerals due to traveling, soil depletion, early picking etc.
Although I do believe in supplementing our diets with a good multivitamin, I do believe its not the answer to a bad diet. The diet of your child or family needs to change first, including a variety of nutritional dense foods.
So how do you spot nutrient deficiencies early on? Some common signs to watch out for.
Dry skin & hair
Acne, blisteres, white patches on skin
Pale skin
Easy bruising
Regular Nosebleeds
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Aching bones
Blisters on tongue or mouth ulcers
Numbness & tingling in hands, legs
Sudden vision problems
Brittle nails & white spots on nails
Sudden anxiety or stress
Long term nutrient deficiencies can lead to low immunity, slower recovery from illness & bigger exposure to certain diseases. If you notice any of these signs on your child firstly assess the diet. Include more high nutrient dense food to see if it will help. Consult with a clinical nutritionist to identify nutrient deficiencies and then help guide you to incorporate more nutritional dense food specific to what deficiencies might be there. Also address gastrointestinal issues & toxins.
Lastly add a good quality multivitamin.