Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies

 

7. Calcium

 

Calcium is crucial for strong bones and for several body functions, including muscles moving and nerves carrying messages from the brain to all parts of the body. People with a higher risk of lacking this important mineral are postmenopausal women (because they lose bone mass at a faster rate and don’t absorb calcium as well as men or younger women), people with lactose intolerance, and vegans. Symptoms of serious calcium deficiency include numbness, tingling, convulsions, and abnormal heartbeat. Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese, kale, broccoli, tofu, and some fortified foods and juices.

8. Magnesium

Magnesium is needed by every cell in the body. The mineral helps convert food into energy, regulate the nervous system, and create new proteins. Magnesium acts like an enzyme that keeps blood pressure normal, bones strong, and the heart rate stable. It can be found in bigger amounts in spinach and other greens, nuts, avocados, and black beans. Risk factors for magnesium deficiency include excessive alcohol consumption, old age, certain medications, diabetes, breastfeeding, and pregnancy.




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