The time of your life

We are all individuals and have different nutritional needs based largely on the genes we inherit

As everyone knows, the foundation for a healthy diet is eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily (with the emphasis on veg) and not eating too much convenience, ready-made, junk food. But although we all come from the same model, we are all individuals and have different nutritional needs based largely on the genes we inherit. These needs don’t remain static throughout life, however. We need to take other factors into account when selecting which vitamins, minerals and other supplements to take, such as our age, lifestyle and current health concerns. The nutritional needs of a 25-year old fitness fanatic with a sprained knee are going to differ significantly from those of a working mum with irritable bowel syndrome and difficulty sleeping (see the table on the right-hand page for more examples). A personalised approach to nutrition is therefore vital as our current needs are different, not just from our friends and relatives, but from our own needs 5 years ago, and those we are likely to require 10 years into the future.

As we age, our need for many vitamins and minerals increases. This is partly because our metabolism needs more, and partly because changes in our intestinal wall mean we absorb less nutrients from our diet - this is especially true of the B group vitamins. At the same time, our risk factors for diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes are increasing and we develop more and more minor health complaints as our level of physical activity tends to slow. Good nutrition, however, can reduce our chances of suffer from almost all ailments in later life. A healthy diet and lifestyle helps to reduce the development and progression of many age- related health concerns - and the sooner your start, the better for prevention.

But even if you think you eat a healthy diet, it is unusual to obtain all the vitamins and minerals you need from your food. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey, published in 2003, found that a quarter of women aged between 19 and 64 had seriously low intakes of iron, for example, which put them at risk of iron-deficiency anaemia. A higher than expected number of women also had low intakes of calcium and magnesium, both of which are important for healthy bones. While almost all women aged 19 to 34 had an intake of folic acid from all sources - including supplements - that was less than the recommended 400mcg per day needed for a healthy pregnancy. A worrying number of men were also lacking in important nutrients.

As the table on the right shows, deficiencies in certain nutrients throughout our life is common, and these contribute to our failing health in later years. A scientific review of over 150 clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2002 showed that a deficiency of many vitamins is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, some cancers, birth defects, osteoporosis, bone fractures and other major chronic health problems.1 Many people remain unaware that they are accidentally missing out on vital nutrients in their diet. It’s therefore a good idea to seek personalised nutritional advice at regular periods throughout your life - ideally every few years as your circumstances, age and health concerns change.

Unfortunately, nutritional advice doesn’t come cheap, and usually costs between £100 and £200 or more for a detailed consultation. But now you can go on-line and spend just 20 minutes filling out an in-depth questionnaire to obtain an accurate indication of your current vitamin and mineral intake. This takes into account your gender, age and dietary habits to show exactly where your diet is letting you down.

Though the NutriProfile questionnaire has taken hundreds of thousands of pounds to develop, it is completely free. NutriProfile can act as your in-house personal nutritionist. By analysing your diet and taking account of your health goals, it can help you identify which nutrients are missing from your diet and provide simple steps to help you reach them. Once you receive your results, you can make the suggested changes in your diet and lifestyle and, if necessary, seek further advice from a nutritionist. If you take your NutriProfile print-out with you, your nutritionist can spend time advising you on the appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes you need, without first having to spend time on the laborious task of analysing your diet first. What could be better? A win-win situation for clients and nutritionists alike.

Visit www.NutriProfile.org to do your NutriProfile today.

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