There are many reasons why we are becoming increasingly deficient in these vital micronutrients. The first is simply not consuming enough healthy foods. It is estimated that 90% of the US population does not eat enough vegetables, 80% does not meet recommendation for fruit intake, and 98% do not get the recommended amount of whole grains. This is where most nutrients come from so it’s no wonder we are falling short! Add to that the fact that our soils have become depleted of vital nutrients (from over-farming, global warming, etc) and that our food has far less nutrients than they did many years ago. In fact, it’s recently been discovered that the nutrient values in our foods have decreased by more than half since the 1950s – leaving your broccoli far less nutritious than it used to be. And, of course, eating processed foods is also a major contributor to reduced nutrient intake.
Another factor that plays a major role in micronutrient deficiencies, is that we are not absorbing everything we eat. Malabsorption, as it is called, is very common with certain conditions like celiac, crohn’s and ibs. It can also occur with certain medications. For example, taking aspirin or ibuprofen interferes with folate absorption leaving you vulnerable to fatigue, memory loss, depression, and severe birth defects (for pregnant women). And having a poor microbiota can lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and K, which are needed for heart and bone health. Genetics also play a role in nutrient absorption. For example, people with the MTHFR gene variant are more prone to having folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies.
No one can eat a perfect diet all the time with enough variation to fulfill all of your nutrient needs, which means eating at least 30 different types of plant-based foods each week.