Sometimes, despite your utmost efforts in perfecting your unique recipe for wellness – the collection of things we do to regularly to nurture your health such as going to bed early, moving daily, going to yoga, eating well – you still don’t feel your best. No matter how health conscious we are, a lot of us still seem to be missing one key ingredient – and end up feeling nothing but frustrated as a result.
So, what’s missing?
At BePure, we look at things a little differently. Rather than honing in on one health concern, our approach is a holistic one – looking at your body as one intricate and amazing system.
At BePure, we look at things a little differently. Rather than honing in on one health concern, our approach is a holistic one – looking at your body as one intricate and amazing system.
We choose to celebrate the fact that our entire being – mind and body – can only function at optimal level when all our systems, organs and pathways are working correctly too. And every major metabolic pathway in our body depends on essential nutrients found in micronutrients. That is, vitamins and minerals.
We are firm believers in the idea that if one key ingredient is missing – essential nutrients – then you are missing the most effective recipe for wellness. Imagine trying to make a perfect cake without a key ingredient… It’s the same as trying to achieve optimal health without nutrients.
Without key nutrients, your other wellness habits can’t thrive, and therefore won’t make the impact you want them to. These essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iodine, magnesium and selenium are the foundation for our health, and are crucial in supporting healthy body function. By adding nutrients to your recipe, you can unlock the best version of yourself and see all your efforts come together for maximum impact.
Before we dive into how we can get more nutrients, let’s look at why are aren’t getting them in the first place.
Why are we so nutrient deficient?
First things first – it’s not you. It’s a byproduct of our soils, our stress and our food.
There is a common misconception that our fruit and vegetables are nutrient dense because New Zealand has rich organic soils. It’s a nice idea, but unfortunately it’s not necessarily the case. A range of factors contribute to this – our country’s young age and modern day farming being two examples. But the end result is, our soils aren’t as nutrient dense as we need them to be.
In addition, modern-day, convenient food choices have evolved away from nutrient-rich produce. Add to that stress, toxins and pesticides, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster… or at least ongoing compromised wellbeing.
To put it simply, no nutrients in our soils + the modern day lifestyle = Kiwis depleted of nutrients.
- New Zealand soil is lacking in nutrients
- Modern day food choices
- Stress, whether real or perceived means our bodies use more nutrients
- Toxins and pesticides
But why are nutrients so important?
Essential nutrients—vitamins and minerals, make the difference between our bodies functioning at their best, and our bodies feeling ‘off.’ For many of us, nutrients are also the one ingredient that could help to make meaningful change when it comes to your health routine.
Imagine essential nutrients as the foundation for a healthy body, enabling optimal function which will help you feel your best. With this key ingredient, we boost the effectiveness of all our other wellness enhancing habits – like great sleep, exercise and finding mental clarity for ‘you’ time.
The reason essential nutrients are so crucial to our overall wellness, is because they impact the entire system, including:
Okay, but where do I start?
Topping up your body with essential nutrients is simple – just start with the ones you’re missing. New Zealand soils are deficient in minerals such as:
91% of New Zealanders tested were Iodine deficient.
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Chromium
- Boron
- Molybdenum
- Manganese
- Magnesium
84% of New Zealanders were found to be vitamin D deficient.
As a nation, we are also lacking in:
- Vitamin D. Our exceptionally harsh sun rays mean we are often not getting safe sun exposure between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm.
- Vitamin B12. This vitamin cannot be made by the body, which means it must be absorbed from animal products or nutritional support.
40% of New Zealanders over the age of 65 have some degree of B12 deficiency.
How can I nourish myself with nutrients?
Most of us health-conscious types will already be getting some of our nutrients from the foods we eat – especially if we are prioritising the same nutrient-dense foods our ancestors would have eaten (tip – if it comes wrapped in plastic, it’s not natural!).
This means a diet high in plant foods; leafy greens, fresh seasonal produce, soaking and sprouting grains, eating all parts of the animal – including and especially organ meat – and utilising high quality natural fats as a core part of our diet.
Let's take a closer look at the foods you can add into your diet to support your nutrient status:
-
Oily fish
Rich in vitamin D and omega-3s, such as salmon and sardines -
Green leafy vegetables
Rich in B9 and magnesium. -
Brazil nuts
Loaded with selenium. Eating just 2 - 3 a day provides you with your recommended daily intake. -
Oysters and pumpkin seeds
Rich in zinc. -
Buckwheat
Great gluten-free alternative and is rich in B vitamins and magnesium. -
Turmeric
Strong anti-inflammatory properties like cucurmin. -
Fermented foods
Feed the good bacteria in our gut, the health of which is directly related to the health of our brains. -
Chicken and fish
Rich in vitamin B6. -
Turkey
Contains tryptophan, a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps you to feel calm. Tryptophan in the form of meat, has been shown to reduce anxiety. -
Red meat
Grass-fed organic red meat in particular is rich in iron and B12.
However, even if you’re eating a nutrient-rich wholefood diet, our modern lifestyles still stop us from absorbing the range of essential nutrients our bodies need to function optimally. Luckily, we can easily top up with high-quality, high-strength supplements, to support restoring our bodies back to balance.
FURTHER READING
Why is our food so empty of nutrients?
