Most doctors reckon that we can get all the nutrients we need from a healthy, balanced diet, and that taking supplements is an unnecessary expense. But a new study confirms what we have long suspected - the food we eat today just can't deliver the micronutrients that an active adult needs to prevent disease.
The diets of 20 adults - 10 men and 10 women, all aged between 25 and 50 - failed to deliver sufficient micronutrients to maintain good health. In both instances the men's diet was worse, and provided just 60 per cent of vitamins and around 45 per cent of minerals that are required in a healthy body. Calorie intake was close to the optimum, but even this was several points below the desired level.
The trial tested for 10 vitamins - vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, 2, 3, 6 and 12, and folate - and 7 minerals - iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and selenium. In assessing the micronutrient needs, researchers used a new measurement called the RDI, or reference daily intake, which is our requirement for preventing disease, and which allows for different body types and needs. The RDA, or recommended daily allowance, is considered by most nutritionists to be far too low to prevent disease.
Overall both sexes showed deficiencies in 138 micronutrients out of a possible 340 as measured by the RDI.
In short, the average adult in the West is malnourished. Keep on taking the supplements.