In the UK, many people with nonoptimal diets are at risk of nutrient deficiencies, as they receive less than the recommended intakes of several key vitamins
and minerals, which can impact overall health.
Dietary supplements can be one method of treating a deficiency. Dietary supplements like vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and amino acids are sold in pharmacies across
the world, and it is estimated that half of UK adults use at least one dietary supplement per day.
Combined with an increased popularity in vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan and flexitarian diets, there's a chance patients are not consuming enough vital vitamins and
minerals.
If you think a patient's diet may be lacking in some of the important nutrients our bodies need to function properly, the advice below will provide more information
about five of the most common nutrient deficiencies, and where to find these nutrients from easily accessible and plant based sources.
1. Omega-3
Essential fatty acids come in two forms; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and are both sources of energy and play key roles in the
development of cell membrane structures.
They also play a role in protecting against a variety of diseases and regulating blood pressure and inflammation. DHA is an important component of neurons and
healthy nervous systems.
Traditionally, seafood, red meat and dairy products have been touted as the main dietary sources of EPA and DHA. Although EPA and DHA can be difficult to source
from plant based foods, ALA - the most common fatty acid - is found in plant based foods and can be converted into long chain omega-3s EPA and DHA.