by NEW YORK – Seven out of 10 Americans think they’re not getting enough nutrients in their diets, new research suggests. In a recent survey of 2,000 US residents, 70% believe their bodies are currently deficient in some key vitamin or nutrient, making them feel demotivated (56%) and slower than usual (56%). .
Another 42% self-diagnosed with some sort of food allergy or intolerance, most commonly shellfish (56%), tree nuts (28%) or wheat (48%).
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the online health and wellness retailer iHerbthe poll also revealed that the vitamins Americans are most concerned about lacking are the same ones they deem most important.
What vitamins are most people lacking?
Ironically, the most abundant mineral in the body is also the one that worries the most respondents: calcium, which is found in bones and teeth and helps perform many important functions.
Of respondents, 56% believe calcium is one of the top five most essential nutrients in the body, and 42% are concerned they are not getting enough. Similarly, respondents were also concerned about getting enough vitamin C (42%), iron (41%) and vitamin B12 (41%).
And they may have every reason to be concerned, according to naturopathic physician Michael T. Murray, iHerb’s Chief Scientific Advisor.
“The data analyzed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that 39 percent of people consume less than the average required amount of calcium they need,” says Murray, in a statement. “And that’s just one nutrient: The data also suggests people aren’t getting enough vitamins C, D or E and minerals like iron and magnesium from the foods they eat or the supplements they take.”
How to consume more nutrients
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents also tried changing their diet to see if it would help with an undiagnosed diet-related condition. Most (29%) only lasted three to four months on that modified diet, and only 17% were able to continue the modified diet for more than six months.
In fact, the survey suggests that people are more likely to try a new diet based on the promise of weight loss (48%) than on claims supported by medical research (40%). Perhaps that’s why fatigue in particular remains a pervasive problem among respondents, with the average person feeling a lack of energy almost three days a week.
One in four (27%) even admitted that the last time they felt healthy was more than a year ago.
“Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients, which means the body cannot function properly without them. They also function interactively and codependently,” says Murray. “This means that a deficiency of a single vitamin or mineral disrupts this complex system. Nutrient deficiencies of any kind must be avoided to achieve and maintain health. a multivitamin and mineral formula provides a kind of nutritional assurance that you’re giving your body some of the tools it needs to be healthy.
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey by 2,000 Americans of the general population was commissioned by iHerb between March 22nd AND March 24, 2023. It was conducted by the market research company OnePollwhose team members are members of the Market research company and I am a corporate member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAP extension) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
