Good Nutrition
A balanced diet that includes essential and beneficial nutrients as well as other factors is vital for good health. We’re encouraged to eat well by our family as we grow, during our education and consistently throughout life. Although, research shows that actual dietary intake often falls short of the recommended daily intake.
The reasons for this are simple: busy lives, food preferences or dislikes, sometimes a seasonal lack of choice or even budgetary constraints. Other explanations are more complex: it’s surprising how many children and adults have dietary challenges due to a range of factors. Kids who are fussy eaters, adults with celiac or gluten intolerance, vegans and vegetarians, or seniors whose needs change as they age.
New Zealand and Australian populations have nine very common nutritional deficiencies that span almost all life stages, from young children to seniors: – Vitamin D – Calcium – Iron – Zinc – Omega 3 – Vitamin B12 – Iodine – Folate – Selenium
Filling the nutrition gap is essential, as it enables growth and development for the young; energy and metabolic support for adults; and of course good health for all.
Ideally, everyone’s dietary nutrition comes from whole and less processed foods. But when that’s not readily available or suitable, Zeapure VitaScoop’s a great choice to fill the gap.
Nutrients that are commonly deficient in New Zealand and Australian populations:
- Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium and is vital for healthy bones and muscles. Research shows that by the end of winter over 30% of the population has Vitamin D deficiency, due to a lack of exposure to sunlight. Teens may be at higher risk due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Vitamin D is hard to get from dietary intake as only 5-10% of your daily needs come from food sources. ( Zeapure provides 28% of recommended daily intake)
- Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for life. In addition to building bones and keeping them healthy, calcium enables our blood to clot, our muscles to contract, and our heart to beat. About 99% of the calcium in our bodies is in our bones and teeth. (Zeapure provides 38% of recommended daily intake)
- Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body; and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones. (Zeapure provides 50% of recommended daily intake)
- Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly. (Zeapure provides 27% of recommended daily intake)
- Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly important. They have many powerful health benefits for your body and brain. In fact, few nutrients have been studied as thoroughly as omega-3 fatty acids. Benefits include better eye health, reducing heart disease, fighting inflammation, supporting brain function, reducing liver fat, supporting sleep and more.
- Vitamin B12 helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and supports the creation of DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 is particularly important for vegans and vegetarians, as the most common source of B12 is from red meat. (Zeapure provides 12% of recommended daily intake)
- Iodine: The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body’s metabolism and many other important functions. The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. (Zeapure provides 67% of recommended daily intake)
- Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. Your body also needs folate for your cells to divide. (Zeapure provides 29% of recommended daily intake)
- Selenium is important for many bodily processes, including cognitive function, a healthy immune system, and fertility in both men and women. It contributes to thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis, while also helping to protect against oxidative damage and infection. New Zealand soils are very low in selenium, meaning it is difficult to get this element from fruit and vegetables. (Zeapure provides 54% of recommended daily intake)
