Rob explained: “Certain health conditions (coeliac, pernicious anaemia, alcoholism), medications or surgery of the digestive tract can impact on how well the body absorbs nutrients from food.
“Age also impacts on the amount of gastric acid the body produces which could also impact on nutrient absorption especially in older adults.”
What are the symptoms of specific mineral deficiencies? Rob outlines the details below.
Calcium
7 percent UK adults do not get enough from their diet (9 percent women, 4 percent men)
Average intake as a percentage of the RNI: 105 percent (109 percent women, 100 percent men)
Why do you need it?
Calcium helps your body develop strong bones and teeth. It also helps your heart, nerves, and muscles work the way they should.
What are the symptoms of deficiency?
There are no serious short-term symptoms of calcium deficiency as the body carefully regulates blood levels. If left then a lack of calcium in the diet may impact on bone density increasing the risk of fractures. Severe deficiency which is most likely the result of a medical condition or surgery can cause cramping, numbness, tingling in the fingers, fatigue and irregular heartbeat.
How can you increase your intake?
The best sources of calcium can be found in dairy foods but you can also get this mineral from dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, legumes, fortified cereals, dried fruit and canned fish with bones such as salmon.
Iron
14 percent UK adults do not get enough from their diet (25 percent women, 2 percent men)
Average intake as a percentage of the RNI: 105 percent (76 percent women, 134 percent men)
Why do you need it?
Iron is needed to make healthy red blood cells and is also involved in immunity.
What are the symptoms of deficiency?
Iron is the most common mineral deficiency around the globe. When levels drop too low then there is a risk of iron deficiency anaemia and if left untreated the symptoms can increase in their severity and have serious implications for your health. Symptoms of iron deficiency include tiredness and fatigue, recurrent infections, shortness of breath, hair loss, always feeling cold, low mood and poor sleep.
How can you increase your intake?
You can boost your intake of iron by eating foods such as red meat and offal as well as plant foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, oats, tofu, nuts, dried spices, and fortified breakfast cereals.