Charting Your Health:
How to Find Out if You Have Nutritional Deficiencies
by www.SixWise.com

Many Americans -- even those who think they are eating relatively healthy -- may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency.

In fact, according to a survey by the American Dietetic Association, 40 percent of Americans say they know they should eat a healthful diet, but for one reason or another have failed to implement that behavior in their diets. Another 32 percent, meanwhile, have a "don't bother me" attitude about food and nutrition, saying eating healthy is not a concern for them.

Similarly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Healthy Eating Index found that 16 percent of the U.S. population had a "poor" diet while 74 percent had a diet that "needed improvement."

Even with the best intentions, eating right can be difficult in the midst of everyday obligations with work, family, and other responsibilities. But it should be a number one priority.

As the USDA pointed out, poor or inadequate diets are linked to four of the top 10 causes of death -- heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. And as it turns out, most of us have less-than-ideal diets that essentially leave our bodies starving for more nutrients.

Along with poor diets, studies have found that key nutrients in foods have declined from 1909 to 1994, likely because the soil is not as nutrient-dense as it once was and processing of foods degrades nutrients that do exist. So not only are we eating fewer healthy foods, but those we do eat contain fewer nutrients than they once did.

Some of the more common nutrient deficiencies in the United States include:

• Zinc

• Iron

• B vitamins

• Magnesium

• Calcium

• Vitamins E and C

• Phosphorus

• Vitamin D

• Fiber

• Folic Acid

• Essential Fatty Acids

• Chromium

How Do You Know if You Have Nutritional Deficiencies?

Usually, you don't know. That is, until a health concern arises, you visit your doctor and, IF they recognize the connection, they order an array of expensive blood tests to determine your levels of crucial nutrients.

For those of you who don't want to wait for a health problem to know if your health is on track ,,, or who suspect your diet and lifestyle are less-than-healthy and want some reassurance, we have identified an exciting new site: Charting Your Health.

Charting Your Health, as developed by Dr. Gregory Pouls of the United Medical Network (UMN), brings customized nutritional analysis directly to you. This service, which was once only available to doctors and health care practitioners:

1. Uncovers the personal and confidential biochemical health makeup of your body.

2. Reveals your health conditions and tracks your progressive improvements.

3. Empowers you with personalized foods and supplements that are exactly what your body needs to thrive (not just survive).

How does it work? You take a 24-hour urine analysis in the comfort of your own home, mail it in, then within a few days review your personalized test results, including UMN practitioners' recommendations.

You'll receive customized dietary supplements and a customized meal plan shopping list -- chosen from 13,000 foods -- designed to fit your distinctive lifestyle and fulfill your specific dietary needs. The program also allows you to self-monitor your progress and track your health to the next level!

So if you are currently one of the many Americans who is not eating right, under a lot of stress, or not leading a healthy lifestyle, don't wait for a health problem to take action. Become empowered and learn your nutritional deficiencies now, so that you can take the steps to nourish your body and your life.

Recommended Reading

10 Delicious, Nutritious Fruits You've Likely Never Heard of That Are Growing in Popularity

14 Fruits and Vegetables That Provide the Best Protection Against Arthritis

Sources

EatRight.org (American Dietetic Association)

USDA Healthy Eating Index