While we may not all be experts in nutrition, most people have an understanding that the human body needs certain nutrients in order to function at its best.
While we may not all be experts in nutrition, most people have an understanding that the human body needs certain nutrients in order to function at its best.
To help shed some light on those missing elements on our plates, nutritionists Ellie Busby and Dr Sarah Cooke take us through why they are so important, and how you can can tell if you’re missing them.
Zinc
“If your hair is thinning or dry, you might need more zinc. Most people do not get enough zinc, due to our food being over-processed, which strips the goodness out, and zinc suffers the most,” nutritionist Ellie Busby comments.
Other signs of a zinc deficiency are soft nails, dry skin, and getting ill a lot.
“Foods that are rich in zinc to integrate in everyday diets are whole wheat bread and pasta, whole grains (quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice) and pumpkin seeds,” she adds.
Vitamin B6
Skin rashes, sore lips and tongue, mood changes and tiredness can all be signs of Vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 is important to protect and strengthen the immune system and maintain an optimal amount of amino acids in the blood.
“Vitamin B6 is one of the most common micronutrients deficiencies in the average person’s diet. Optimal sources of vitamin B6 include avocado, russet potatoes, garbanzo beans, yellowfin tuna and nuts,” Dr Cooke explains.
