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. 2022 Mar 29;14(7):1426.
doi: 10.3390/nu14071426.

A Pilot Study on the Prevalence of Micronutrient Imbalances in a Dutch General Population Cohort and the Effects of a Digital Lifestyle Program

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A Pilot Study on the Prevalence of Micronutrient Imbalances in a Dutch General Population Cohort and the Effects of a Digital Lifestyle Program

José Castela Forte et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Maintaining an adequate micronutrient status can be achieved by following a complete, diverse diet. Yet, food trends in Western countries show suboptimal consumption of healthy nutrients. In this study, we explored the prevalence of vitamin and mineral imbalances in a general population cohort of Dutch adults and evaluated the effect of a digital lifestyle program on the nutritional status and nutrition health behaviors of these individuals. A micronutrient panel was measured in 348 participants, alongside a dietary assessment. One hundred users subsequently underwent a remeasurement. We identified at least one nutritional imbalance in 301 individuals (86.5%). A total of 80% improved and normalized B6, 67% improved folate, 70% improved B12, and 86% improved vitamin D. Iron abnormalities were corrected in 75% of the participants. In conclusion, this study found that micronutrient deficiencies of easily obtainable vitamins through diet or supplementation such as B vitamins and vitamin D were more prevalent than expected in a Dutch population. This can partly be explained by insufficient consumption of food groups rich in B vitamins. Our preliminary results in those remeasured after a digitally enabled lifestyle intervention show these imbalances can be corrected with adequate behavioral support complemented with supplementation where needed.

Keywords: deficiencies; general population; lifestyle; micronutrients; prevention; screening; vitamins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: all authors except Saro Kanthappu and Bruce Wolffenbuttel are employed by Ancora Health B.V. Bruce Wolffenbuttel sits on the medical advisory board of Ancora Health B.V. Additionally, all employees own shares of Ancora Health B.V. Ancora Health B.V provided support in the form of salaries for all employees.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Box plots with pre- and post-intervention changes in B vitamins and vitamin D for the participants with abnormal baseline values.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Consumption of different food groups at baseline (n = 348). Meat substitutes include all meat alternatives made from vegetarian or vegan ingredients, eaten as a replacement for meat.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of consumption of different food groups with vitamin and iron status at baseline.

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