Micronutrients “…are the ‘magic wands’ that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances essential for proper growth and development. As tiny as the amounts are, however, the consequences of their absence are severe.” This excerpt from the James Haskell Health & Fitness portal sums up the importance of micronutrients. As the common phrase goes, good things come in small packages.
Unfortunately, “… almost 75 percent of people living in Western civilizations do not consume enough micronutrients each day to maintain their maximum health.” Spoiler alert: The rate is lower in the U.S. due to American’s collective love of convenient and cheap food.
Micronutrients, Mental Health, & the Rainbow
Research on the power, potential, and effectiveness of micronutrient treatment for chronic illness, such as bipolar disorder, pops up on the health arena landscape daily. Dr. Carol Banyas, physician, therapist, and teacher, says she’s witnessed the power of micronutrient treatment first-hand. “When you get people who have [a] chronic illness, like chronic bipolar, that have gone from just surviving day-to-day and wondering when they’re going to cycle down next to realizing that they can actually move out of their house… get a job…” because of micronutrient treatment, “there’s a lot of rich work you can do” therapy-wise.
The micronutrient treatment conversation is exciting. To think that it may be possible to treat an array of illnesses by helping people gain a better balance and intake of micronutrients is a breath of fresh air, especially since some experts already sing the micronutrient treatment’s praises. As Healthline points out, “humans must obtain micronutrients from food since [our] bod[ies] cannot produce vitamins and minerals– for the most part,” which means we must seek the micronutrients we need, or our body remains in a state of imbalance. Since different foods contain different micronutrients, people are encouraged to eat various healthy options– referred to as Eating the Rainbow by the American Heart Association and others.
Reality Check: Eating the Rainbow Isn’t Organic for Everyone
But if Eating the Rainbow came as naturally as breathing, the world wouldn’t need the Eating the Rainbow catchphrase. The truth of the matter is that this is a world of convenience. Fast food is cheap, and the selection of fat, sugar, and sodium-laden foods at every corner market, gas station, and get-together is high.
Cue people’s race toward supplements, like EMPowerplus Advanced, the world’s most studied micronutrient formula. Remember, though, although supplements, like EMPowerplus Advanced, are an impactful way to gain essential micronutrients and for your body to function at a higher level, supplements cannot undo the consistent consumption of processed food and food that is better labeled: Nutrient Wasteland.
As Brendan Brazier, former Canadian endurance athlete, author, and creator of the Vega food products, says, “Without an adequate supply of micronutrients, not only are we less likely to sleep deeply, recover briskly from exercise, ward off sickness, and fully exploit our brainpower, we get hungry. And we stay hungry.”
Author: Evelyn Lindell
Certified Health & Wellness Coach