If you’re feeling tired all the time, your diet might be the reason. Many people overlook the impact of micronutrient deficiencies on their energy levels.
Whether you’re on a vegan, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, elimination diet or any other specialized diet, or even if you are on a GLP-1 weight loss medication,
it’s crucial to be aware of potential nutrient gaps.
Our new Micronutrient Test can help you identify several key vitamins and minerals that might be suboptimal or even deficient, and affecting your health.
Getting to the Root Cause of your fatigue with Micronutrient Testing and and providing personalized dietary advice and supplement protocols will help you get feeling great again!
The Impact of Diet on Energy Levels
Certain diets can increase the risk of deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals. Even those who believe they have a balanced diet might be lacking essential nutrients. Let’s explore six crucial vitamins and minerals and how deficiencies in them can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, hair loss, and more.
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, and brain health. Your skin produces vitamin D through sunlight exposure, but you can also get it from foods like fatty fish, mushrooms, and fortified dairy products. Deficiency symptoms include:
- Frequent illness
- Fatigue
- Bone and muscle pain
- Mood changes
Vitamin B12: Nerves and Blood Cells
Vitamin B12 is crucial for DNA production and red blood cell formation. It supports brain and nerve cell development. Common sources include meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Deficiency can cause:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Memory issues
- Numbness and tingling
Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk for B12 deficiency.
Folate: Essential for Cell Growth
Folate, or vitamin B9, is vital for cell division and growth, especially during pregnancy. It’s found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dark leafy greens. Symptoms of deficiency include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Magnesium: For Bone, Muscle, and Nerve Function
Magnesium supports blood pressure regulation, nerve function, and bone health. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and whole grains. Deficiency symptoms include:
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Abnormal heart rhythms
Iodine: Key for Thyroid Health
Iodine is necessary for thyroid hormone production, which controls metabolism and growth. It’s found in seafood, dairy products, and eggs. Symptoms of iodine deficiency include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Confusion
Zinc: Boosting Immunity and Healing
Zinc supports immunity, growth, taste perception, and wound healing. It’s found in meat, shellfish, legumes, and seeds. Deficiency can cause:
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Impaired immunity
Vegans and vegetarians may be at risk due to lower zinc intake.
Which Diets and Medications Put You at Risk for Nutrient Deficiencies?
- Vegan/Vegetarian Diet: Risk for B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and calcium deficiencies.
- Gluten-free Diet: May lack B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
- Keto Diet: Low-carb diets often miss out on folate, vitamins A, B6, magnesium, and calcium.
- Elimination Diets: For Food Sensitivities, or to determine which foods are causing symptoms: Can remove important nutrients from your diet
- GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss: Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Zepbound): Appetite suppression and side effects of these medications can affect your intake and absorption of nutrients
- GERD/Reflux Medications: can affect the absorption of B12, minerals and vitamins
A Balanced Diet is Key
Eating a variety of whole foods is essential for getting the nutrients you need. However, specialized diets and busy lifestyles can make it challenging to meet your nutritional needs. Our Micronutrient Test can pinpoint any deficiencies, helping you have informed discussions with your healthcare team about possible dietary changes.
Still, life gets busy, and dietary restrictions or needs may make it hard to meet daily requirements. Dr. Helene Pulnik’s Micronutrient Test can help identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies, making it easier to get insights about your nutritional status.
Other factors that may cause fatigue are taken into consideration as well. Adrenal dysfunction, hormone imbalances, unhealthy gut microbiome and other issues are evaluated.
With this knowledge, you can take the next steps to correct imbalances and make potential changes to your diet.
Let’s find out what you are missing from your diet and get you back to feeling great again!
In Health,
Dr. Helene Pulnik ND
Click HERE to see the Micronutrient Test