Health claim A health claim is any claim which states, or implies, that consumption of a specific food will have a beneficial effect on health. Claims may be written, verbal or pictorial. Not all herbal products are medicines, some may be food supplements and some may be cosmetics. What determines if a product is, or is not a medicine is complex but generally rests with how the product is presented i. Macronutrient Dietary constituents which are needed in significant amounts, generally protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre and water.
Malnutrition Malnutrition is a state in which the deficiency of nutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins or minerals results in measurable adverse effects on the body. Malnutrition may refer to insufficient intake of protein, carbohydrate and fats macronutrients which can result in overly low BMI.
It may also be insufficient intake of vitamins , minerals and other micronutrients , which can impact on overall health and could include obese individuals with poor diets. Mg Milligram is a measurement of weight equal to one thousandth of a gram. Mg is used for a number of nutrients found in food supplements.
Micronutrient A substance derived from food which is needed in extremely small amounts for the normal growth and development of living beings. Micronutrients are vitamins , minerals and essential fatty acids omega-3 fats Mineral Inorganic micronutrient essential to health and wellbeing.
Minerals are absorbed from soil by plants which are in turn eaten by animals or humans. Minerals may be split into minerals which are needed in relatively high amounts calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride and potassium and trace elements iron, zinc, cobalt, copper, chromium, fluoride, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, boron and selenium which are needed in very small quantities.
Multivitamin A product which contains more than one vitamin , often multivitamins will contain all 13 vitamins although some may contain only the eight B vitamins, or a combination of some of the vitamins and some additional minerals. The results are used to assess whether intakes of food and nutrients are adequate across different ages and population groups.
Previously known as RDA Nutrient A substance derived from food which provides nourishment to the body and is essential for the maintenance of life and for growth and development. Nutritionist Nutritionists generally work for public bodies or governments, although some do work with private clients.
They tend to look at large populations to determine risk factors and make dietary recommendations that are applied at population levels. For example, evidence on the incidence of type II Diabetes led public health nutritionists to determine that some populations are more at risk of developing this disease, and to make recommendations for dietary changes to either reduce the risk or manage the disease.
However, public health nutritionists do not practice with individual patients. Omega-3 fats Essential fatty acids which cannot be synthesised by the body and must be derived from the diet. Primary sources for omega-3 fats are oily fish and fish oil supplements with some also coming from enriched eggs and fortified foods.
There are a number of scientifically proven health benefits for omega-3 fats including supporting the health of the eyes, brain and heart, maintaining an appropriate balance of triglycerides in the blood and reducing blood pressure.
Omega-6 fats Essential fatty acids which cannot be synthesised by the body and must be derived from the diet. Primary sources for omega-6 are vegetable oils such as sunflower and corn oils as well as nuts and seeds. There are a number of health benefits associated with omega-6 fatty acids; they are thought to be beneficial in the management of premenstrual syndrome and in some skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.
Prebiotics Foods which promote the growth of probiotics , the beneficial bacteria that inhabit our gut. Prebiotics are generally fibres such as inulin, which our bodies cannot digest and absorb but which provide a food source for probiotics. Probiotics Live bacteria and some yeasts which inhabit the digestive tract which are viewed as being beneficial to human health.
There are thousands of different bacterial strains; some are resident in specific areas of the digestive tract whilst others are transient, simply passing through. They work with local government, the NHS and non-governmental organisations as well as communicating public health messages to the general public.
PUFA Polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA are found in nuts, seeds, fish and fish oil , krill and some algae, small amounts are also found in leafy greens. The omega-3 and omega 6 fats are PUFAs, which are generally associated with health. RDA Recommended Daily Amount; previously used terminology for the amount set, primarily to support food labelling, which the majority of the population require to maintain health.
The UK food supplements industry works to the levels set in this report. Other symptoms show up as constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain caused by paralysis of the intestines. Severe potassium deficiency can cause paralysis of the muscles or irregular heart rhythms that may lead to death.
Zinc is found in animal products like oysters, red meat, and poultry. Other good sources of zinc include:. Zinc deficiency can cause loss of appetite, taste, or smell. Decreased function of the immune system and slowed growth are other symptoms. One major cause of mineral deficiency is simply not getting enough essential minerals from food or supplements.
There are different types of diets that might result in this deficiency. A poor diet that relies on junk food, or a diet that lacks adequate fruits and vegetables can be possible causes.
Alternately, a very low-calorie diet may produce this deficiency. This includes people in weight-loss programs or with eating disorders. Older adults with poor appetites may also not get enough calories or nutrients in their diet. Restricted diets may also cause you to have a mineral deficiency. Vegetarians, vegans, and people with food allergies or lactose intolerance might experience mineral deficiency if they fail to manage their diet effectively. Difficulty with digestion of food or absorption of nutrients can result in mineral deficiency.
Potential causes of these difficulties include:. Mineral deficiency can also result from an increased need for certain minerals. Women, for instance, may encounter this need during pregnancy, heavy menstruation, and post menopause. The symptoms of a mineral deficiency depend upon which nutrient the body lacks.
Possible symptoms include:. You may display one or more of these symptoms, and the severity may vary. Some symptoms may be so minor that they go unnoticed and undiagnosed.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged fatigue, weakness, or poor concentration. The symptoms may be a sign of a mineral deficiency or another health condition. Your healthcare provider may use one or more of the following diagnostic tools to determine if you have a mineral deficiency:.
The treatment for a mineral deficiency depends upon the type and the severity of the deficiency. Underlying conditions are also a factor.
Your doctor may order further tests to identify the amount of damage before deciding on a treatment plan. This can include treatment for other diseases or a change in medication. A change in eating habits may help if you have a minor mineral deficiency. People with anemia due to a lack of iron in the diet, may be asked to eat more meat, poultry, eggs, and iron-fortified cereals.
You may be referred to a registered dietitian if your deficiency is more severe. This will include guidelines on how to eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Certain mineral deficiencies cannot be treated with diet alone. You may be required to take a multivitamin or mineral supplement.
These may be taken alone or with other supplements that help the body absorb or use the mineral. Vitamin D, for example, is usually taken along with calcium. Your healthcare provider will decide how much and how often you should take supplements. Hospitalization may be required in very severe cases of mineral deficiency.
Minerals and other nutrients can be administered intravenously. Treatment may be required one or more times a day for several days.
Micronutrients play such important roles in so many processes in our bodies, and the symptoms we experience can range from subtle to severe. At Balance Hormone Center, we help patients understand their nutritional deficiencies with comprehensive testing and evaluations aimed at helping every person get the levels of nutrients they need for optimal health.
This list is a very brief review of some of the more common symptoms you might experience as a result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. See if any of them sound familiar to you. We all know calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth, but did you know this mineral also plays a big part in normal nerve and muscle functions?
Low levels of calcium can cause muscle weakness, involuntary twitching especially in your face and around your mouth , and even heart palpitations or abnormal heart rhythms. And of course, low levels of calcium can also increase your risk for fractures. Like calcium, vitamin D is also important for healthy bones and muscles. The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can be quite vague, showing up as muscle aches or general fatigue.
Pale skin is another sign of anemia and iron deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and even seizures. When your potassium levels are low, you can develop numbness or pins-and-needles sensations, and you might also experience muscle weakness, constipation and heart rhythm abnormalities.
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