So, you have embarked on your weight loss and health journey. Good for you! We know how hard it is to make that decision and stick to it.
It is important to note, however, that weight loss isn’t necessarily linked to improved health. A person can be thin and be at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and even kidney disorders, just as a person who is slightly overweight can be in perfect health.
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Weight isn’t necessarily linked to health. This is why, when we are on a weight-loss regime, we need to pay special attention to our diet. This is not only regarding calories but regarding nutrient diversity and nutrient quality.
We can, for example, live off of eating only tomatoes for a few days. We will very likely lose weight, and quickly, but we will likely be lacking in plenty of other nutrients.
A study examined four popular weight-loss regimes regarding their capacity to meet nutrient requirements. They found that all four diets resulted in a deficiency or non-existence of six nutrients, three of which are essential vitamins. The other three nutrients are chromium, iodine, and molybdenum.
Here are the three vitamins you need to pay particular attention to if you are on a weight loss regime.
1. Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7 contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and mucous membranes, the nervous system, psychological functions. You can find Vitamin B7 naturally in egg yolk, liver, and yeast, among others. This may be one of the reasons people who are on diets that exclude egg yolks and bread experience hair loss.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D contributes to the normal development and maintenance of bones and teeth, muscle function, and the immune system. It is essential for the use of calcium in the body – so if we are deficient in Vitamin D, it is likely we are also deficient in calcium. Vitamin D is found naturally in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, though we can even get Vitamin D through exposure to the sun.
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3. Vitamin E
The main function of Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in humans appears to be that of an antioxidant. It helps to neutralize free radicals that may damage cells, especially those free radicals that may lead to cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin E is found naturally in vegetable seed oils, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables.
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Don’t take any diet likely, and make sure that you are speaking with a health professional to identify potential nutritional deficiencies and excesses before it leads to a permanent health problem.
