We’ve all know some gym nut who walks around weighing all their food on a scale. If you haven’t, you’ve at least heard the word “macros” tossed around a fitness community around you. There’s good reason for it, considering how macros make up a large part of the processes that your body requires to survive, and more importantly, that what your muscles come from. But after all we’ve heard about macros, what about our micros?
Just because they’re micro, doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Micro-nutrients consist of vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients. Despite the fact that these nutrients are consumed in much smaller quantities, hence the “micro-“, micro-nutrients still play a significant role in many of the body’s processes.
Instead of going over the myriad of body functions that vitamins and minerals are required for, let’s go over some potential health issues that may develop with certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Growing up, we all heard that drinking milk gives you strong bones right? Well, it’s true! Calcium deficiencies can results in reduced bone density, and if you don’t think that sounds fun, you’re absolutely right.
On the other hand, if your body doesn’t get enough Vitamin D, then you may often feel fatigue.
Vitamins and minerals are pretty well-known for the health benefits that they provide, but many people often take multivitamins or mineral supplements to ensure that they’re meeting the daily required amounts. Unfortunately, studies have shown little benefits that can come from the majority of vitamin and mineral supplements available at your local grocery store.
What does that mean for you? Since you can’t just stuff your mouth with a handful of pills and become health all of a sudden, you should focus on consuming a well-balanced diet. You probably hear “well-balanced diet” tossed around just as much as macros, so here’s the simple translation:
Your body NEEDS a given amount of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients to perform at a basic level; in addition, increased levels of nutrients maybe required to meet certain physical goals.
So the idea is to just watch your food intake to make sure you’re not overemphasizing a certain nutrient and neglecting another.
When it comes to nutrition, the goal is good health. Whatever it takes to get there, whatever requirements must be met, all depends on the individual that is participating. Everyone has different habits, different needs, different struggles, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t necessarily work when it comes to nutrition.
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