Why Most Of Us Are Nutrient Deficient And What To Do About It with Chris Kresser

Sep 21, 2022

In this insightful discussion, Chris Kresser, a respected functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Kresser Institute, dives deep into nutrient deficiencies plaguing modern diets. He emphasizes the decline in food nutrient quality due to agriculture and environmental toxins, urging the adoption of personalized nutrition. Kresser elaborates on the importance of nutrient-dense foods like organ meats and highlights the complexities of supplementation, advocating for a balance of whole foods while stressing the value of quality supplements to enhance overall health.

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ADVICE

Nutrient Needs from Food

Getting sufficient nutrients from food alone is difficult.
It requires meticulous tracking and specific food combinations, making supplementation a practical alternative.

INSIGHT

Widespread Deficiency

Nutritional deficiencies are widespread, even among health-conscious individuals.
Testing reveals most patients lack adequate levels of essential nutrients.

ADVICE

Key Nutrient Tests

Prioritize testing for vitamin D, magnesium, B12, folate, homocysteine, zinc, copper, and calcium.
Use chronometer to track dietary calcium intake.

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This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, InsideTracker, and Cozy Earth.

If you’ve ever wondered if supplements are worthwhile or just create expensive urine, this is the podcast episode for you. While I wish it wasn’t the case, I do believe we need supplements to make up for the nutrients we can no longer get through food alone. It’s extra important to note, though, that not all supplements are created equal. And please keep in mind they’re called “supplements” for a reason, not “replacements”—they are meant to supplement a healthy diet and lifestyle to provide the most impact.

Today, I’m excited to take a deeper dive into this topic with one of my most trusted sources when it comes to nutrition and dietary research, Chris Kresser. Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac. is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, the creator of ChrisKresser.com, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. Chris is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health and has trained over 2,000 clinicians and health coaches from over 50 countries in his unique approach. He has recently launched Adapt Naturals, a supplement line designed to add back in what the modern world has squeezed out and help people perform and feel their best.

This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, InsideTracker, and Cozy Earth.

Rupa Health is a place where Functional Medicine practitioners can access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests from over 20 labs like DUTCH, Vibrant America, Genova, and Great Plains. You can check out a free, live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com.

InsideTracker is a personalized health and wellness platform like no other. Right now they’re offering my community 20% off at insidetracker.com/drhyman.

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Here are more details from our interview (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

Do we really need to take supplements? (5:14 / 1:54)
Why our food is less nutritious than it used to be (13:32 / 10:10)
Can you really get your nutrients from food? (15:28 / 12:10)
The prevalence of, and most common, nutritional deficiencies (16:27 / 13:35)
Testing your nutrient levels (21:35 / 18:25)
Symptoms of common nutrient deficiencies (29:03 / 25:05)
Can you take too much or overdose on nutrients? (41:57 / 36:58)
What to look for in a quality vitamin or supplement (51:37 / 47:10)
What nutrients are provided by plant vs animal foods (59:41 / 55:06)
The most nutrient-dense foods (1:10:23 / 1:05:45)

Learn more about Chris at ChrisKresser.com and check out his new supplement line, Adapt Naturals.