Disease Proof

If you Eat to Live you’re probably doing just fine, but, if you’re deep in the throes of the standard American diet, you might be missing a nutrient or two—or seven! Elizabeth M. Ward, RD of WebMD offers up 7 Nutrients Your Diet May Be Missing, take a look:

You don't outgrow your need for calcium just because you're all grown up. While calcium is necessary to bolster developing bones, it's also needed to keep your skeleton strong throughout life. And that's not all. Besides participating in maintaining a normal heart rhythm, calcium plays a role in blood clotting and muscle function…


…Fiber is best known for keeping bowel movements regular and preventing other intestinal woes, including diverticular disease, an intestinal inflammation. Years of research on fiber underscores its importance in overall health, too…

…Magnesium is an unsung hero of sorts. This mighty mineral participates in hundreds of bodily functions that foster good health, yet few people know that magnesium contributes to bone strength; promotes peak immunity; and normalizes muscle, nerve, and heart function…

…Vitamin E, found primarily in fatty foods such as nuts, seeds, and oils, is a potent antioxidant. It combats free radicals, the unstable oxygen molecules that result from normal metabolism as well as from exposure to air pollution, cigarette smoke, and strong ultraviolet rays…

…Vitamin C is also vital for the production of collagen, the connective tissue that keeps muscles, skin, and other tissues, including bone, healthy. And, like vitamin E, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps ward off cellular damage…

…Vitamin A comes in two forms: as retinol (preformed and ready for the body to use) and carotenoids, the raw materials the body converts to vitamin A. Americans have no trouble consuming adequate retinol, but they don't get nearly enough carotenoids…

….Potassium is present in every cell of your body. It plays a central role in normal muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, and fluid balance. Potassium even serves to promote strong bones, and it's necessary for energy production.

I asked Dr. Fuhrman why most people might be missing these nutrients—honestly, I knew the answer already—but here’s what he had to say and, like usual, Dr. Fuhrman cuts right to the chase. Check it out:

Well, since Americans eat 40 percent of calories from animal products and 50 percent from processed foods and they do not eat significant amounts of seeds, nuts, fruits, legumes and vegetables, of course they are deficient in many plant-derived nutrients.

Now, whether you Eat to Live or not, brush up on these posts for great sources of the aforementioned nutrients. Enjoy:

• Dr. Fuhrman's Fab Five
• Answers to Common Questions about Flaxseed
• Sowing Seeds of Good Health
• Popeye Was Right--Greens Pack a Powerful Punch
• Nutrient Density of Green Vegetables
• Ten Super Foods to Use in Your Recipes and Menus

Sorry if that seems like a homework assignment.