Millions of children and adults in Britain may be lacking at least eight vitamins and minerals vital for good health, a study has found.
Researchers said unhealthy diets and mass consumption of ultra-processed foods is fuelling dangerous deficiencies.
And they warned that without a huge shift in eating habits, the future health of the nation ‘could be at risk’.
Scientists looked at the vitamin and mineral intake of 1,505 adults and children. They compared average consumption of each vital nutrient with the recommended daily intake (RDI) needed to stay healthy and ward off chronic illness.
Worrying shortfalls in at least eight vitamins and minerals – or ‘micronutrients’ – were found.
These included calcium, found in dairy products and crucial for strong bones and teeth.
About one in ten children and adults were falling short of the RDI – roughly 550mg for under-10s and 700mg for grown-ups.
Even greater numbers were lacking in potassium, which keeps nerves and muscles in good working order.
Millions of children and adults in Britain may be lacking at least eight vitamins and minerals vital for good health, a study has found (file image)
A third of teenagers and more than a quarter of older adults fell short of the RDI because they were not eating enough breakfast cereals, beef, poultry, fruit or vegetables.
Meanwhile, millions are failing to get enough vitamin D – one of the body’s most important nutrients and a must-have for strong teeth, bones and muscles.
The body gets most of what it needs from sunlight but this means deficiency is common during winter. Oily fish, eggs and red meat are also good sources.
The NHS recommends everyone takes a daily vitamin D supplement of ten micrograms from October to early March.
Yet the study found only one in five children and a quarter of all adults had healthy levels of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin.
Other key nutrients lacking in diets included magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, folate (B9) and selenium, which boosts the immune system and helps to fight off cold and flu bugs.
The scientists said: ‘A staggering 57 per cent of women aged 19 to 64 had selenium intakes below the RDI.’
They partly blamed rising food prices, with fresh fruit and vegetables being ditched in favour of cheaper, less healthy choices.
Researchers called on the Government to look at ways to bolster public consumption of essential nutrients, such as fortifying more foods with them or by promoting supplements.
The report, published in journal Food and Nutrition Sciences, said there had been little improvement in vitamin and mineral consumption in the UK over the last decade.
It warned: ‘Today, we are continuing to see a demise in public health nutrition.
‘Those most vulnerable to inadequate intakes include females, women of childbearing age and teenagers. If nutrient levels continue to be poor and below the recommended levels, the future health and wellness of the nation could be at risk.’
Tom Sanders, a professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, said: ‘I am concerned that micronutrient intake has fallen and it is important to identify the reasons why.
‘A decline in consumption of milk and fortified breakfast cereals are likely reasons.
‘But being below the RDI does not necessarily mean these individuals are clinically deficient in vitamins and minerals.’
