Vitamin deficiency?! Read what you can do about it. Despite a health-conscious diet, vitamin or nutrient deficiency is an important topic. In his book "Risikofaktor Vitaminmangel" (Risk Factor Vitamin Deficiency), medical journalist and author Andreas Jopp explains how vitamins and nutrients work, why they are so important, and for whom they make sense, in what form, and at what dosage.
Vitamin deficiency can lead to severe cell damage and thus to health consequences. Even if we eat a seemingly balanced diet, it always depends on our general lifestyle and life stage as to which additional nutrients we need to stay healthy and fit, age well, and prevent diseases. We have summarized the book "Risikofaktor Vitaminmangel" for you.
Well-structured and presented in an understandable way, the book offers detailed, step-by-step information on the subject of micronutrients. Jopp explains which tasks micronutrients fulfill in the body. After all, who really knows exactly how vitamins and minerals work in the body? The corresponding chapter at the beginning of the book provides exciting answers to this question.
Nutrient deficiency: Cells need nutrients
We only feel as good as our metabolism functions. This has primarily to do with energy. How does the body handle the energy supplied to it, and how does it process it? Jopp compares the human body with its 70 billion cells to a biochemical factory. The cells are always active and therefore require a constant supply of nutrients. This is especially important since water-soluble nutrients, like most vitamins, cannot be stored. However, the fat-soluble vitamins E, D, K, and A are an exception. There are 47 essential micronutrients, and without their regular intake, our entire body system gets thrown out of balance. One must imagine cellular metabolism like a production process. If an element is missing at the beginning of the chain in the process, it cannot be corrected so easily later on. The metabolism slows down and performance decreases. What does this mean in detail?
The famous Vitamin C ...
... is involved in countless different metabolic processes. B vitamins are extremely important for nerve metabolism and thus for brain function; they influence our mood and motivation.
Minerals and trace elements fulfill functions in bone formation (calcium) and are involved in metabolic reactions such as the formation of enzymes. They are also components of hormones. So-called antioxidant nutrients scavenge free radicals and thereby protect cell function. Each chapter of the book contains information boxes in which the presented information is briefly summarized again. Simple and clear illustrations make the complex topic easy to grasp.
What the body cannot do without
"Unbelievable: In the course of evolution, our immune system and our metabolism were developed on the basis of 47 essential and irreplaceable nutrients. Among these are 33 micronutrients – 13 vitamins, 6 minerals, 14 trace elements. Added to these are 2 fats (omega-6 and omega-3) and 8 amino acids for building all protein structures. The body cannot do without these substances." (Quote from: "Risikofaktor Vitaminmangel", Andreas Jopp, Trias Verlag, 2017)
Danger from free radicals
Protecting cells from free radicals is of enormous importance for our health. Jopp explains these processes using symbols that serve as visual aids for the reader. Free radicals are depicted as little bombs. The genetic material is depicted as a computer diskette. A pair of scissors illustrates the ability of free radicals to cut through and change our genetic material, i.e., our DNA. There are now numerous studies on this topic. They prove that cardiovascular diseases and also cancer are almost always associated with low levels of antioxidants.
Extend healthy lifespan
Our healthcare system is designed to treat symptoms and diseases and is therefore extremely expensive for society. Jopp encourages taking preventative measures and improving quality of life and extending our healthy lifespan through the targeted and sufficient intake of micronutrients.
Following the introduction, there is an extensive section of about 60 pages in which it is detailed how and in what form vitamins affect bodily functions and health. Jopp addresses cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia, osteoporosis, and the vitamin and nutrient deficiencies directly related to these diseases. Vitamin deficiency can contribute significantly to cardiovascular diseases, for example by leading to oxidized blood fats and thus to clogged arteries. Through an additional intake of micronutrients, the risk of disease could be easily reduced.
An important element of Andreas Jopp's book are the so-called science telegrams. They present study results on the relevant topics. The telegram on the topic of Vitamin C primarily presents long-term, comprehensive studies that scientifically substantiate Jopp's approach. All chapters are supported by telegrams and are thus scientifically verifiable.
Epigenetics
The medical journalist and author also briefly touches on the topic of epigenetics, a principle that is used by doctors specializing in orthomolecular medicine in the treatment of cancer. Here, targeted and high-dose micronutrient administration is used to influence DNA strands in order to activate cancer-suppressing mechanisms.
Dementia and nerve cells
The links between nutrient deficiency and dementia or dementia-typical symptoms are also described in detail. Folate or Vitamin B12 deficiency affects a large part of the population. Especially in older people, this can lead to damage in brain tissue. Supplementation with B vitamins is proven to provide protection against nerve cell damage.
Emergency kit for the defense system
After the topic of osteoporosis has also been discussed in detail, the second half of the book is devoted to the immune system and support for the metabolism. There is also a special section that explains what an emergency kit for the immune defense should contain and why. It is also impressive to read that simple and inexpensive prevention through nutrient administration could have a strong positive impact on the economy, as this would massively reduce absenteeism. Jopp rounds off his explanations with a detailed analysis of micronutrient deficiency symptoms and their causes.
Factors for nutrient deficiency
In addition to diet, there are numerous factors that increase the need for nutrients. Negative stress with high physical and emotional burdens or regular consumption of nicotine and alcohol, as well as intensive physical exercise, are causes of an increased need for nutrients. Different life stages such as growth, pregnancy, and breastfeeding also increase the nutrient requirement. During pregnancy, the body signals that one must eat "for two." If one then turns to snacks that are high in calories but low in nutrients, a vitamin deficiency is inevitable. In addition, certain dietary habits such as veganism and vegetarianism can lead to a vitamin deficiency due to missing food groups. The book concludes with instructions for creating an individual micronutrient program as well as a practical overview of vitamins and minerals/trace elements, their functions, symptoms that indicate a deficiency, and their therapeutic use.
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