4 essential nutrients — are you getting enough?

The newest dietary guidelines for Americans say that many Americans don’t get enough of four vital nutrients. Over time, a shortfall of these nutrients may affect different aspects of your health, from teeth and bones to your heart, gut, muscles, blood pressure, weight, and more. What is a nutritional shortfall? Nutritional advice can be confusing. Eat more of this, less of that. Make sure you get enough — but not too much. It’s no wonder many people have so-called nutritional shortfalls, where their diet lacks sufficient essential nutrients. So, which nutrients do you really need and how much? And what key nutrients do most people lack? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 offers some insight. Updated every five years by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA, the report found many Americans are lacking in four vital nutrients: calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin D. According to the guidelines, these four are “considered dietary components of public health concern for the general US population.” That’s government talk for: these nutrients help you stay healthy, and you probably should eat more of them. Four nutrients you need — and where to find them Here is a closer look at these four nutrients, how much you need, and some of the best sources, per the recent guidelines. The specific daily amounts of each nutrient are based on the recommended daily calorie intake for adult men and women who don’t need to lose or...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Healthy Eating Nutrition Source Type: blogs