Healthy Nature

You’ve heard the investigative reports about Americans not getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals in their diet.

…But we’ll spare you another self-righteous critique.

And instead, take this time to learn about the vitamins most Americans don’t get enough of, the possible harm this can cause, and simple steps you can take to consume enough of the vitamin or mineral:

1. Calcium

Your bones and teeth need calcium to stay strong and healthy. And your heart, nerves, and blood need it to work properly.

Calcium deficiency leads to memory loss, confusion, muscle spasms, numbness and tingling in your extremities, muscle cramps, hallucinations, and even bone fractures.

So, having enough calcium keeps prevents aches, pains, and breaks in your bones. Your extremities and muscles feel warm and ready to go.

2. Potassium

A lack of potassium in your diet can actually be life-threatening. No, it’s not acute, as in if you don’t have enough potassium, you’ll just fall over and die.

However, low potassium leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and even infertility.

If you sweat a lot because you love to workout, or if you work a physically demanding job, you have to be extra-aware of your potassium intake.

You want to take around 5,000 mg of potassium daily. Don’t go way overkill, as that can be deadly.

3. Fiber

You get fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Constipation, weight gain, and nausea and tiredness result when you don’t get the fiber you need.

Fiber helps with weight loss because it helps you feel full. You should aim for 25-35 grams of fiber daily.

4. Magnesium

This metal strengthens your bones and keeps your immune system in tip-top shape. It also helps out your heart, muscles, and nerves.

Muscle twitches, cramping, fatigue, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, asthma, and irregular heartbeat can occur when you don’t get enough magnesium.

It’s important to eat the correct RDA for your age and gender.

And here’s a link to a chart with the current specific recommendations.

5. Vitamin A

Fresh carrots are a great source of vitamin A, which may explain why many Americans don’t get enough.

Vitamin A helps with your vision, and it also strengthens your immune system and your physical growth.

So, everyone’s a little different. You have to look at these vitamins and calculate, based on your current diet, which you don’t tend to get enough of.

Then, simply add a few foods to your diet which address that need. And watch those nagging signs of diminished health go away!

Check out our selection of vitamins.