Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Support of Dietitian and Nutritionist

A registered dietitian and nutritionist can provide guidance around deficiencies in vitamins and minerals in the following ways:

Help assess one’s diet and determine areas where certain deficiencies exist.

Vitamin deficiencies can result from a number of factors. Most obviously, they result from inadequate intake of certain foods and nutrients, but there are also several other factors that can contribute to nutrient deficiencies.

To start with the more obvious cause: deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, folate, and/or calcium are most commonly seen among people whose diets contain inadequate amounts of them.

• Vegetarian diets, for example, naturally lack foods rich in iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Especially if someone eating a vegetarian diet also does not eat eggs and/or dairy products.
• Vegan diets are therefore another common eating pattern that can naturally be deficient in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D in addition to calcium.
• This is not in any way meant to shed negative light on vegetarian and/or vegan diets, but more so to recognize the importance of supplementation and routine bloodwork to monitor for deficiencies in nutrients that are easy to lack without the consumption of animal products.
• On the opposite side, those who eat primarily animal products and very little plant-based foods like legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are much more likely to lack nutrients like folate and other B vitamins.
• Any type of diet that involves restricting one or more food groups is more likely to risk nutrient deficiencies.
• Food preferences come into play here as well–someone may be at risk of micronutrient deficiencies simply based on their likes and dislikes.

Other causes of micronutrient deficiencies that are not as simply associated with what one eats include:

• Conditions that cause malabsorption (i.e. celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, etc.).
• Malnutrition, whether it be related to disordered eating, eating disorders, immune disorders that may greatly affect what one is able to eat (i.e. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), severe food allergies/sensitivities, chronic illness or disease (i.e. cancer), etc.
• Periods of generally increased nutritional requirements (i.e. cancer treatment, surgery recovery, wound healing, marathon training, pregnancy, etc.).
• Alcohol and/or recreational drug use.
• Medication side effects.
• Supplement side effects.

Many of the aforementioned causes of vitamin and mineral deficiencies pertain to diet and eating habits. Therefore, registered dietitians (RDs) certainly fall within the realm of qualified health care professionals to provide assistance with the management and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies.

They are well versed with supplementation to help you fill the gaps where needed, based on individual needs and circumstances, of course.

Dietitians can also provide follow-up sessions to monitor progress, address concerns, answer questions and make ongoing adjustments to the plan.

Address any other co-existing chronic disease and/or conditions, needs and goals.

Have concerns addressed and questions answered by a registered dietitian and nutritionist.

And more.