Micro Nutrients Minerals

Calcium (Ca)

Prevalence: ~44.1% below EAR; <15% of
teenage girls, <10% of women over 50, and         
<22% of teenage boys/men over 50 meet needs.
At-Risk Groups: Teenage girls, women over 50, men over 50, non-dairy consumers.
Health Impacts: Osteoporosis, fractures, muscle dysfunction, nerve issues.
Cause: Low dairy/fortified food intake, vitamin D deficiency impairing absorption.

Magnesium (Mg)

Prevalence: ~52.2% below EAR; up to 68-75% in some estimates, especially among the elderly.
At-Risk Groups: Elderly, those with type 2 diabetes, Gastrointestinal disorders.
Health Impacts: Muscle cramps, fatigue, increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis.
Cause: Low intake of nuts, seeds, leafy greens; soil depletion reducing magnesium in produce.

Potassium (K)

Prevalence: 100% below the AI of 4,700 mg/day; <3% meet the recommendation.
At-Risk Groups: General population.
Health Impacts: Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction.
Cause: Low fruit/vegetable intake, high sodium consumption.

Iron (Fe)

Prevalence: <10% overall; 11% of Mexican-American children (1-5 years), 13% of non-Hispanic Black and Mexican-American women (12-49 years).
At-Risk Groups: Young children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women.
Health Impacts: Anemia, fatigue, developmental delays, shortness of breath.
Cause: Low intake of heme iron (meat), menstrual blood loss, increased needs during pregnancy.

Iodine (I)

Prevalence: ~33% of pregnant women are marginally deficient.
At-Risk Groups: Pregnant women, vegans, those avoiding iodized salt.
Health Impacts: Thyroid dysfunction (goiter), developmental issues in children, weight gain.
Cause: Reduced use of iodized salt, low intake of seafood/dairy.

Zinc (Zn)

Prevalence: ~15% below EAR; higher in the elderly and those with malabsorption.
At-Risk Groups: Elderly, vegans, individuals with celiac disease.
Health Impacts: Impaired immunity, delayed wound healing, growth issues in children.
Cause: Low intake of meat, shellfish; phytates in plant foods reducing absorption.

Selenium (Se)

Prevalence: Not widely reported; higher risk in areas with low soil selenium (e.g., Pacific Northwest).
At-Risk Groups: Those in low-selenium regions, vegans.
Health Impacts: Thyroid dysfunction, weakened immunity, cardiovascular issues.
Cause: Low intake of selenium-rich foods (e.g., Brazil nuts, seafood), soil depletion.

Copper (Cu)

Prevalence: Rare, but ~5% of adults may have marginal deficiency.
At-Risk Groups: Those with malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease), excessive zinc supplementation.
Health Impacts: Anemia, neurological issues, weakened connective tissue.
Cause: Low intake of organ meats, shellfish, nuts; zinc-copper imbalance.

Manganese (Mn)

Prevalence: Rare, but some estimates suggest 10-20% may have suboptimal intake.
At-Risk Groups: Those with diets low in whole grains, nuts, leafy greens.
Health Impacts: Bone issues, impaired glucose metabolism, neurological symptoms (severe cases).
Cause: Limited intake of manganese-rich foods, soil depletion.

Chromium (Cr)

Prevalence: Data limited; possibly 20-30% have suboptimal intake.
At-Risk Groups: Elderly, those with high sugar diets.
Health Impacts: Impaired glucose tolerance, increased diabetes risk.
Cause: Low intake of whole grains, meats; refined diets.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Prevalence: Very rare; <1% affected.
At-Risk Groups: Those with genetic disorders affecting molybdenum metabolism.
Health Impacts: Impaired sulfur metabolism, neurological issues (severe cases).
Cause: Extremely low intake of legumes, grains; genetic factors.

Phosphorus (P)

Prevalence: Rare; <5% below EAR, mostly in malnourished individuals.
At-Risk Groups: Those with malnutrition, kidney disease.
Health Impacts: Bone weakness, muscle dysfunction, respiratory issues.
Cause: Low overall food intake, impaired absorption.

Sodium (Na)

Prevalence: Deficiency is rare; however, some athletes or those on very low-sodium diets may be at risk.
At-Risk Groups: Endurance athletes, those on extreme low-sodium diets.
 Health Impacts: Hyponatremia (low blood sodium), causing confusion, seizures, muscle cramps.
Cause: Excessive sweating without sodium replacement, overly restrictive diets.