You Can’t Medicate Your Way Out of a Poor Diet

The Lancet is considered one of the premier medical journals in the world. However, you may have yet to hear of the Eat Lancet Diet if you live outside of the UK. Their dietary recommendations should be spot on. However, adherents to the diet were examined and found to have deficiencies in several nutrients, including protein, selenium, zinc, iron, and folate. The subjects also reported a poorer mood. 1 Therefore, the people eating the Eat Lancet Diet may experience some diseases or symptoms caused by nutrient deficiencies. The problem is that they will more than likely think their problems come from disease rather than their diet. After all, why would The Lancet be recommending a diet that causes numerous nutrient deficiencies? Shouldn’t they know better?

The problem is compounded because most of us do not follow prescribed diets; rather, we follow our taste buds. As a result, many people are nutrient deficient and suffering. They assume it is a disease and seek medical care instead of correcting their diets. 

I have listed the nutrient deficiencies associated with the Eat Lancet Diet below, as well as some of the confusing misdiagnoses that could result if the deficiency was not diagnosed as the cause.

Protein Deficiency

46% of older adults in the US don't consume enough protein. 2 It is especially prevalent worldwide in developing countries. 3 The conditions it causes are generally called kwashiorkor. The symptoms of protein deficiency include: 

• Swollen skin (edema)

• Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

• Weak skin, hair, and nails

• Low muscle mass

• Weak bones

• Stunted growth

• Increased severity of infections

As we can see, many of the conditions listed above would be treated with medications if the doctor did not recognize that they stemmed from malnutrition. For instance, weakness may be treated with physical therapy and anabolic steroids. Weak bones may be treated with bis-phosphonates. Swollen skin may be treated with steroids. 

 Selenium

Selenium deficiency causes:

• infertility in men and women

• muscle weakness

• fatigue

• mental fog

• hair loss

• weakened immune system 4

Once again, the symptoms could be misconstrued as other diseases. Hair loss is treated with minoxidil. Mental fog could be treated with ADHD medications, etc. 

Zinc

Zinc deficiency can cause:

• appetite loss

• slower than expected growth

• poor immune system function

• delayed sexual maturity

• diarrhea

• eye and skin lesions

• feeling lethargic

• funny-taste sensations

• hair loss

• poor wound healing

• unexplained weight loss 5

Once again, the symptoms could be mistaken for IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anorexia, and more. Incorrect diagnosis would, once again, lead to unnecessary dosing of medication.

Iron

Iron deficiency causes:

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Problems with memory and thinking

• Feeling cold

• Headaches or dizziness

• Dry, brittle hair, skin, and nails

• Strange cravings for metal, dirt, paper, or starchy food, called pica1

• Red, inflamed tongue, called glossitis

• Frequent infections

• Heart palpitations

• Shortness of breath

• Restless Legs Syndrome 6

Thankfully, iron deficiency is easy to diagnose. However, as you can see, the symptoms are so numerous that they could be confused with numerous ailments, resulting in incorrect medical treatments.

Folate (B9)

Folate deficiency leads to:

• Spina Bifida in newborns

• Anemia

• Infertility

• Certain cancers

• Cardiovascular disease

• Depression

• Dementia

• Decreased cognitive function

• Alzheimer's disease

• Paleness

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

• Irritability

• Dizziness

• Tender, red tongue

• Mouth sores or mouth ulcers

• Reduced sense of taste

• Memory loss

• Difficulty concentrating

• Confusion

• Problems with judgment

• Lack of energy

• Muscle weakness

• Weight loss

• Diarrhea 7

• The list of symptoms is so vast with this one I could write a book on the misdiagnoses and misguided treatments, so I won't go into it here. 

Another common deficiency is vitamin D. It has been implicated in worse Covid outcomes, weak bones, increased infections, and more. We all get the idea here. If you take one misdiagnosed malnutrition like folate, the patient could erroneously end up on ten different medications. None of them would solve the patient's problem. 

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By now it should be obvious that you can't medicate your way out of nutrient deficiencies. 

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 Here are a few reasons why proper nutrition is a must.

1. Natural Nutrient Balance: A whole-food diet devoid of processed carbohydrates and seed oils ensures that the body receives a variety of essential nutrients, including vitamin D, in the right proportions. Whole foods contain a spectrum of nutrients that work together synergistically, promoting overall health.

2. Bioavailability: Nutrients from natural food sources are often more bioavailable, meaning they are in a form that the body can easily absorb and utilize. 

3. Comprehensive Nutrient Intake: Focusing on a nutrient-dense diet helps ensure that the body receives essential nutrients that contribute to overall health. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of deficiency rather than just alleviating symptoms.

Conclusion

While medications may be necessary in certain cases of severe deficiency or specific medical conditions, integrating dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments provides a more holistic and sustainable approach to addressing nutrient deficiencies and their associated health problems. This is because if we still need a key ingredient (nutrient) to make things our bodies require to function properly, masking the symptoms with medication falls short. In other words, if you eat garbage, you will be made out of garbage. Of course, always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance, and find one well-versed in nutrition like a functional medicine practitioner.