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Our Modern Diet - The Bad / Who is Nutrient Deficient in America?
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This is a very sensitive topic of discussion. We currently have groups who contend that very few people have inadequate intake levels, and other groups say that everyone is deficient. In this article, we will present information from scientific literature. None of the statements herein have been created by BecomeHealthyNow.com.
In 1985, the US Department of Agriculture published the results of their Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. The results for certain minerals and vitamins were reported in a nutrition and pregnancy chapter in a textbook entitled Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease (1). We are provided with a table that presents the percentage of women with dietary intakes for certain nutrients. It was determined that 78% of women studied consumed less than the RDA for calcium; 95% were below the RDA for iron; 96% were below the RDA for zinc; 55% were below the RDA for vitamin A; 76% were below the RDA for vitamin E; 44% were below the RDA for vitamin C; 94% were below the RDA for vitamin B-6; and finally, 96% were below the RDA for folic acid. The authors of this chapter recommend that either a 3-, 5- or 7-day diet history be included in the nutritional assessment of the female patient.
The following quote comes from a book published by the American Medical Association. "Many essential nutrients, especially minerals, are distributed widely in our food supply, but low in concentration. It is, therefore, impossible to assure nutritional adequacy of diets that are low in energy content. Adequate essential nutrients may not be available in diets of less than 2000 kcal for adults and adolescents (2)."
Based on this information, it is clear that great care must be taken by those who consume low calorie diets. Even diets of 3000 calories/day can result in deficient intakes for certain nutrients. Consider the following information.
In 1988, Dutch researchers published a study which examined the effects of marginal nutrient deficiencies on physical performance. The subjects were given a diet containing 3070 calories per day; however, this diet contained less than 35% of the Dutch RDA for vitamins B-1 (thiamin), B-2 (riboflavin), B-6 and C. The study lasted for 8 weeks, during which time no classic symptoms of vitamin deficiency appeared. However, there was a significant decrease in aerobic power and onset of blood lactate accumulation. The authors concluded that, "combined restricted intake of thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamins B-6 and C causes a decrease in physical performance within a few weeks (3)."
A review of this paper demonstrates that the deficiency-inducing diet is very similar to what many Americans have lived on for years. So, even if you eat over 3,000 calories per day, you can still have marginal deficiencies which can impair body function.
The following quote comes from Marie Linder, PhD, editor of a text entitled Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism: With Clinical Implications. "The tendency of our society to refine whole grains and other carbohydrates sources, our dietary emphasis on muscle meats, and methods of food preparation that overcook or leach the vitamins from foods are the main factors responsible for the existence of vitamin deficiencies with the US population (4)."
Dr. Linder also tells us that, "vegetables and fruits are essential contributors of vitamins in a well-rounded diet." Thus, it is very likely that a deficiency in vegetable and fruit intake would probably lead to a deficiency in vitamin and mineral intake which could promote the development of disease. Is this a problem for Americans?
According to Dr. Gladys Block, a deficiency of vegetable and fruit intake can be catastrophic. She states that, "it is likely that substantial public health benefits and disease reduction could be achieved if consumption of fruits and vegetables were greatly increased over the low levels seen in the United States and other industrialized nations (5)." She also states that, in the United States, "the population's intake of these foods is remote from recommended levels."
References:
1. McGanity W, Dawson E, Fogelman A. Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation. In Shils M, Olson J, Shike M. editors. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th edition. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994:705-27
2. Smith L. Physical activity and dietary intakes. In White P, Mondeika T. editors. Diet and Exercise: Synergism in Health and Disease. Chicago: American Medical Association, 1982:27-37
3. van der Beek E, van Dokkum W, Schrijver J et al. Thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamins B-6 and C: impact of combined restricted intake on functional performance in man. Am J Clin Nutr 1988;48:1451-62
4. Linder M. Nutrition and metabolism of vitamins. In Linder M. editor. Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism: With Clinical Implications. 2nd edition. New York: Elsevier, 1991:112-89
5. Block G. Dietary guidelines and the results of food consumption surveys. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:356S-57S
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