When it comes to vitamins, there are three different types of people: those of us who take them religiously, those of us who take a generic multi-vitamin once every few days when we remember to, and those of us who never even bother. It’s safe to say that a lot of us fall under that last category, but even those people who pop vitamins at every meal may be missing out on some crucial micronutrients necessary for crucial bodily functions that assist with weight loss and overall fitness. Certain genes in our DNA regulate how efficiently we retain and utilize different vitamins. Mutations in these genes can mean that we don’t absorb some vitamins properly and ultimately have a deficiency. Genetic test results, like those provided by GxSlim, give us a better, more personalized understanding of which vitamins we really need to be taking.
Here’s a short list of common vitamin deficiencies amongst Americans.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A serves many important purposes, but is best known for it’s need in the maintenance of good vision. It’s also important for the protein synthesis that affects skin and other tissues. One of the best natural sources of vitamin A is carrots.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the most common when it comes to deficiencies. B12 is critical for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Long term deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to heart disease and can also cause fatigue, mood swings, and memory problems. The best source of vitamin B12 is animal products like meat, dairy & even plant milks.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and low levels of it have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression and even cancer. Vitamin D is produced by the body from exposure to uv rays from sunlight, so one of the best ways to get your daily dose of vitamin D is by stepping outside for a few minutes! Other great sources of vitamin D include salmon and egg yolks.
Folate
Folate, or vitamin B9, is critical for DNA creation and energy metabolism reactions. Lack of folate can lead to increased levels of homocysteine which can ultimately lead to heart disease. Many people are folate deficient due to a mutation that keeps them from retaining the nutrient properly. Broccoli, asparagus, and lentils are all great natural sources of folate.
But what does it really mean to be deficient in a certain micronutrient? Most of the time, a balanced diet can correct a lack of a certain vitamin, but sometimes it comes down to our genetic make-up. Without understanding how our own genes contribute to how well we retain vitamins, we’ll never figure out how many and which vitamins we should be supplementing our diets with. While it can be pricey, genetic testing pays off in the long run because it allows us to bring our bodies to a healthier, more balanced state. Weight loss and overall fitness becomes that much easier when your body is given the proper vitamins it needs to function. So next time you reach for that bottle of multi-vitamins that you’ve neglected for the past few days, think about what your body really needs and consider GxSlim for more personalized health results that bring you closer to your fitness goals.
