Groundbreaking Study Confirms Billions of People Worldwide Are Deficient in Essential Micronutrients

A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Global Health journal has finally confirmed what Dr. Rath has been saying for decades: billions of people worldwide aren’t getting enough essential nutrients from their daily diets. The research, the first of its kind to estimate nutrient inadequacy on a global scale, analyzed data from 185 countries in order to determine which vitamins and minerals people are most commonly lacking. The findings suggest that more than 5 billion people – around two-thirds of the global population – aren’t consuming enough iodine, vitamin E, or calcium. And over 4 billion are falling short on iron, vitamin B2, folate, and vitamin C. The researchers conclude that the majority of the global population has an inadequate intake of micronutrients.

The study uses data from the Global Dietary Database (GDD) to estimate how much of each nutrient people are getting through their regular diets. The researchers focused on subnational groups – different regions within countries – in order to get a more detailed understanding of average nutrient intakes. By looking at a wide range of factors, such as age, gender, and dietary patterns, the research team were able to create a comprehensive map of nutrient intake around the world.

To make their estimates, the researchers used mathematical models that compared people’s nutrient intakes to the standard recommended daily amounts. They also factored in how certain foods can affect nutrient absorption. For example, the study took account of the fact that phytates – found in foods like grains and legumes – can block the absorption of zinc and iron. On the other hand, eating more meat and seafood can boost iron absorption. By taking these factors into account, the study was able to provide a clearer picture of nutrient intake at both country and regional levels.

A truly global problem

The study confirmed that nutrient inadequacy is a truly global problem. For example, the researchers found that over two-thirds of the global population is not getting enough iodine, vitamin E, or calcium, while more than 4 billion people are not consuming enough iron, vitamin B2, folate, or vitamin C. Vitamin B1, vitamin B3, and magnesium showed the lowest levels of inadequacy, roughly affecting around one-third of the global population.

Certain regions and populations were found to be more affected by some nutrient inadequacies than others. For example, the study found that calcium deficiency is most common in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of East Asia and the Pacific. Younger people aged between 10 and 30 seemed to be particularly at risk of a lack of calcium in these regions.

In contrast, countries in North America and Europe generally had lower rates of calcium deficiency. Similarly, while iodine deficiency was found to be widespread across the world, Europe and Canada stood out as having much lower rates of inadequacy for this mineral. Pacific Island countries, meanwhile, were shown to have a low incidence of vitamin E inadequacy.

One of the more striking findings of the study was the difference in nutrient inadequacies between men and women. Globally, in general, women were found to be more likely to have inadequate intakes of iodine, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, calcium, vitamin B2, and folate. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to have inadequate intakes of magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B1, and vitamin B3.

What conclusions can be drawn?

When attempting to draw conclusions from this study, two things particularly need to be kept in mind. Firstly, the researchers didn’t take the use of supplements or the consumption of fortified foods into account. This means that in countries where these are common, the incidence of nutrient inadequacy might not be quite so high as it seems. A survey published in 2023 found that 74 percent of American adults now take supplements, for example, with 55 percent of them qualifying as “regular users.”

Secondly, however, and crucially, there is increasing evidence that for most people the standard ‘Recommended Dietary Allowances’ (RDAs) for vitamins and minerals are insufficient to provide optimum health. Reflecting this, a recent review published in the journal Nutrients recommended supplementing with 2000 IU (50 micrograms) of vitamin D per day (333 percent of the current United States RDA), to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in the adult population. In short, if official government nutrient intake recommendations are too low – and our organization is convinced that they are – then the overall global picture for vitamin and mineral inadequacy may be even worse than The Lancet Global Health study suggests.

These limitations aside, this study provides important evidence to support what organizations such as ours have been saying for years now. Large scale public health interventions, such as supplementation programs, food fortification, and promoting healthier diets, will be critical to meeting the challenges that lie ahead. Governments and health authorities worldwide need to begin implementing these strategies without delay.

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Paul Anthony Taylor

Executive Director of the Dr. Rath Health Foundation and one of the coauthors of our explosive book, “The Nazi Roots of the ‘Brussels EU'”, Paul is also our expert on the Codex Alimentarius Commission and has had eye-witness experience, as an official observer delegate, at its meetings.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Paul's background was in the music industry, where he worked as a keyboard player and programmer with artists including Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bill Withers, the Verve, Texas, and Primal Scream.

He first became interested in natural health after falling ill with a chronic fatigue syndrome-related disorder in 1991 and subsequently making a full recovery through the use of natural health therapies. After meeting Dr. Rath and Dr. Niedzwiecki at an anti-Codex rally in Berlin in 2002, Paul was inspired to make a life-changing decision to leave the music industry to work for the Foundation and help defend the right of patients worldwide to have free access to natural health approaches.

You can find Paul on Twitter at @paulanthtaylor

Der Executive Director der Dr. Rath Health Foundation ist einer der Koautoren des explosiven Buchs „Die Nazi-Wurzeln der Brüsseler EU“. Paul ist auch unser Experte zum Thema „Codex Alimentarius-Kommission“ und hat Augenzeugenerfahrung als offizieller beobachtender Teilnehmer bei diesen Treffen.

Bevor er seine Arbeit bei der Stiftung antrat war Paul in der Musikindustrie aktiv. Er arbeitete als Keyboard-Spieler und Programmierer mit Künstlern wie Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bill Withers, the Verve, Texas und Primal Scream.

Sein Interesse an natürlicher Gesundheit wuchs, als er 1991 an Störungen erkrankte, die aus einem chronischen Erschöpfungssyndrom resultierten. Durch natürliche Gesundheitstherapien wurde er schließlich vollständig geheilt. Ein Treffen 2002 mit Dr. Rath und Dr. Niedzwiecki bei einer Anti-Codex-Demonstration in Berlin inspirierte ihn zu einer lebensverändernden Entscheidung und er verließ die Musikindustrie um für die Stiftung zu arbeiten und das Recht der Patienten zu verteidigen, weltweit freien Zugang zu natürlichen Gesundheitsverfahren zu haben.

Auf Twitter ist Paul unter @paulanthtaylor zu finden.

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