“Hidden Hunger” & toxic Build-Up: Experts Call for Human precision Nutrition, Mirroring veterinary Standards
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – July 1, 2024 - A growing body of evidence reveals a widespread issue of ”hidden hunger” – not a lack of calories, but deficiencies in essential minerals – alongside concerning levels of toxic metal accumulation in populations worldwide. Experts are now advocating for a shift towards personalized nutrition for humans, mirroring the precision dietary management routinely used in veterinary medicine.
The issue isn’t limited to developing nations. A recent report from the World Health Association highlights increasing iodine deficiency risks within the WHO European Region, linked to soils depleted of the vital nutrient in northern and central European countries. A 2018 study published in Nutrients (doi.org/10.3390/nu7031494) also points to low selenium levels across parts of Europe.
These deficiencies frequently enough stem from restrictive diets, including vegan diets or poorly planned low meat/fish consumption. Simultaneously, exposure to toxic metals like mercury and cadmium remains a significant concern, particularly through the consumption of certain fish, as detailed by The Conversation (theconversation.com/mercurio-y-consumo-de-pescado-120630), and through smoking.
“This diversity of causes reflects that ’hidden hunger’ takes multiple forms and that guaranteeing a balanced supply of essential minerals is a global challenge that does not distinguish borders or income levels,” the research indicates.
While human nutritional guidance currently relies on population-level dietary surveys and general recommendations - calculating average iron, zinc, and iodine needs – experts argue this approach overlooks individual variations. Individuals can be deficient despite meeting theoretical recommendations, or unknowingly accumulate toxins.
The contrast with veterinary medicine is stark. In livestock like dairy cows, serum (the liquid portion of blood) is routinely analyzed to adjust diets and prevent deficiencies impacting both animal health and productivity. This precision approach extends to horses, pigs, and poultry, optimizing results and preventing health issues.
A potential solution lies in readily available serum analysis for humans. A 2023 study published in Biomolecules (mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/13/2241#) demonstrates the feasibility of measuring both essential and toxic minerals from a single serum sample.This would allow individuals to identify deficiencies like zinc or selenium, and detect toxic metal build-up like lead or cadmium, alongside standard tests like cholesterol and glucose.
The economic incentive is also clear.Research published in Sustainability (doi.org/10.3390/su122410693) demonstrates that selenium deficiency in cows directly impacts milk production and fertility. Applying similar preventative measures to human health could yield significant benefits.
“If we certainly know that a cow with a selenium deficiency produces less milk and is less fertile, we acted immediately to correct it,” researchers point out. “If a dog needs zinc to keep his coat shiny, we give it to him without hesitation. Why don’t we do the same with humans?”
Experts are urging a paradigm shift, advocating for the application of precision nutrition to human health, possibly leading to healthier lives, disease prevention, and improved quality of life as we age. The call is clear: it’s time to learn from the detailed nutritional care already provided to animals.
