New research from FOODiQ Global has revealed a concerning public health issues: despite an abundance of food, Australians are failing to meet critical nutrient requirements, with 22 out of 31 essential nutrients consumed below recommended levels.
According to the study this widespread nutrient deficiency increases the risk of chronic diseases like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancers, and poses a threat to life expectancy and quality of life.
FOODiQ Global say that without intervention, these nutrient gaps could have long-lasting impacts on public health.
“Most people don’t realise that even those who appear healthy may have diets deficient in the top three priority nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, posing serious long-term health risks,” Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore, lead researcher at FOODiQ Global said.
These nutrient gaps are particularly concerning given Australia’s ageing population and the rising incidence of chronic diseases.
Food-based solutions to these gaps offer a key opportunity to improve health outcomes across the lifespan.
Priority nutrients at risk
The research highlights six priority nutrients that are critical to reducing the risk of chronic disease across all demographics – children, pregnant women, and the elderly alike.
These include calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibre.
Concerningly, the study also reveals that up to 94% of Australians fail to meet their daily calcium needs, 70% are not consuming enough fibre, and nearly 1 in 3 are vitamin D deficient.
How pharmacy assistants can help
As trusted community health professionals, pharmacy assistants are in a unique position to help their communities in addressing these gaps, emphasising the importance of food-first solutions.
Pharmacy assistants can help to educate customers about their dietary choices and healthy eating, raising awareness about nutrient deficiencies and their health impacts.
Pharmacy assistants can help highlight nutrient-dense foods such as dairy, oily fish, legumes and fortified cereals.
For those struggling to meet their needs through diet alone, working together with other healthcare professionals such as dietitians, GPs and pharmacists, pharmacy assistants can suggest appropriate supplements.
Pharmacy assistants can help promote simple, achievable changes, such as adding spinach to meals, snacking on nuts and seeds, or adding mushrooms to recipes where appropriate.
“Bridging the nutrient gap doesn’t require a complete diet overhaul,” Dr Fayet-Moore said.
“It’s as easy as adding a dairy milk-based smoothie to your daily routine, a tin of salmon to your lunch, sprinkling some sunflower seeds on your salad, adding baby spinach to your casserole, starting your day with a fortified high-fibre breakfast cereal, snacking on some hummus or blending UV-exposed mushrooms with mince when making spaghetti Bolognese.
“These simple additions can significantly increase your intake of the six priority nutrients, supporting everything from bone health and immune function to cardiovascular health and psychological well-being.”
To learn more, visit FOODiQ Global’s Information Hub.
