Common Nutrient
Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies are more widespread than most people realise — several affect a large portion of the population and go undiagnosed for years. This section covers the most prevalent ones with evidence on identification, food sources and supplementation.
We are building dedicated articles on each major deficiency. In the meantime, our Supplement Facts library covers the clinical details for most of the nutrients listed below — including dosage, risk groups and evidence on supplementation.
Most Common Deficiencies — Overview
The table below lists the nutrient deficiencies we will be covering in detail. Where a full Supplement Facts review already exists, we link to it directly.
| Nutrient | Populations Most at Risk | Common Symptoms | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | Northern latitudes, dark skin, elderly, limited sun exposure | Fatigue, bone pain, immune suppression, low mood | Live |
| Magnesium | High-stress individuals, athletes, poor diet | Muscle cramps, poor sleep, anxiety, fatigue | Live |
| Iron | Women (reproductive age), vegetarians, endurance athletes | Fatigue, shortness of breath, poor concentration | Live |
| Vitamin B12 | Vegans, vegetarians, elderly, people on metformin | Nerve damage, fatigue, cognitive decline, anaemia | Live |
| Folate (B9) | Pregnant women, people with MTHFR variants, alcohol use | Anaemia, neural tube defects, fatigue, mouth sores | Live |
| Zinc | Vegetarians, elderly, people with GI conditions | Immune dysfunction, slow wound healing, taste/smell loss | Live |
| Selenium | Low-selenium soil regions, thyroid conditions | Thyroid dysfunction, immune suppression, muscle weakness | Live |
| Calcium | Dairy-free diets, post-menopausal women | Bone density loss, muscle cramps, dental issues | Live |