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| Causes of mineral deficiency in the body |
Minerals are a type of inorganic nutrients, which the body needs in specific quantities to carry out its various vital functions and tasks. Many reasons and factors can lead to a decrease in mineral levels in the body, which is known as mineral deficiency, so what Causes of mineral deficiency in the body? What are the risk factors that increase the likelihood of this happening
Causes of mineral deficiency in the body
There are many reasons behind the occurrence of mineral deficiency in the body, and the following is an explanation of them:
An unbalanced diet
An unbalanced diet in which a person does not get enough essential minerals from food or supplements is a common cause of mineral deficiency in the body. There are many types of diets that may lead to this health problem, the most prominent of which are: [2]
For lactose.
Diet rich in fast food.
A diet that does not contain enough fruits and vegetables.
The low-calorie diet, which some people follow, including:
People who want to lose weight.
People with an eating disorder.
Elderly people suffering from anorexia.
A restricted or specific diet with some caveats, which some people follow, including:
Vegetarians.
People with food allergies or lactose intolerance.
Mineral malabsorption
Some health problems and some types of medications can affect the body's ability to absorb minerals. Below is an explanation of each:
Health problems
Some health problems can interfere with the digestive system’s ability to process and digest food, which reduces or prevents the absorption of some different nutrients, including minerals, including the following: [2][3]
Damage to the small intestine due to infection, inflammation, surgery, or radiation therapy, which may damage the intestinal lining.
Celiac disease or celiac disease.
Crohn's disease.
Chronic pancreatitis.
Cystic fibrosis.
Lactase deficiency, or lactose intolerance.
Gallbladder or liver diseases.
Parasitic diseases.
Chronic alcoholism.
Gastrointestinal surgery.
Biliary atresia; It is a congenital health problem that prevents the proper formation and development of bile ducts, which prevents the flow of bile from the liver.
pharmaceutical
Taking some medications may lead to a decrease in the ability of the small intestine to absorb minerals, most notably: [2][3]
Some antibiotics that may be taken for long periods of time may cause injury to the intestinal lining, including tetracycline.
Antacids.
Laxatives or laxatives.
Diuretics.
Other medications may damage and injure the intestinal lining, including:
Colchicine.
Cholestyramine.
High body need for some minerals
Some people may suffer from mineral deficiency in the body as a result of their bodies increasing need for some minerals during different stages of life, including: [2]
pregnant women.
Women who suffer from heavy menstrual periods.
Women after menopause.
Risk factors for mineral deficiency in the body
The presence of some risk factors can increase the possibility of mineral deficiency in the body, the most prominent of which are as follows: [4]
Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Smoking.
Excessive drinking of alcohol.
Illicit drug use.
Following restrictive or strict diets, without compensating the body with the nutrients it needs.
old age; Especially if this coincides with some chronic health problems.
Food allergies.
Suffering from health problems such as prolonged diarrhea.
How to prevent mineral deficiency in the body
Many preventive measures contribute to reducing mineral deficiency and enhancing their levels in the body, including: [2][5][6]
Make sure to eat sources of dietary minerals, including the following:
Food sources of calcium: milk, dairy products, cheese, butter, green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, calcium-fortified soy products, calcium-fortified cereals, and some types of fish, such as anchovies and sardines.
Food sources of iron: Meats, such as beef and liver, legumes, nuts, dried fruits, such as dried apricots, whole grains such as brown rice, iron-fortified breakfast cereals, and most green leafy vegetables, such as arugula and kale.
Food sources of potassium: fruits, such as bananas, some vegetables, such as broccoli, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts, nuts, seeds, fish, shellfish, and meat.
Food sources of magnesium: legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach.
Food sources of iodine: fish, shellfish, some vegetables and grains.
Food sources of zinc: meat, shellfish, dairy products, and grain products, such as wheat germ and whole grain bread.
Avoid exposing food to heat for long periods of time while cooking; This can lead to the loss of its mineral content.
Eat cooked vegetables and fruits within 1-2 days to maintain their mineral content.
Avoid peeling vegetables until after they are cooked, and better yet, never peel them to preserve their nutrient content, including minerals.
Medical advice
The body needs specific amounts of essential minerals to carry out its vital tasks, and it is always preferable to obtain them from food sources before trying supplements. Given that there are many reasons behind the occurrence of mineral deficiency in the body, visiting a doctor as soon as troubling symptoms appear is an important measure to restore mineral levels to their normal ranges. Safe.
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