Published on October 16, 2019
In this blog series we are taking a look at the characteristics of the over 13,000 GrassrootsHealth participants worldwide. In earlier posts we showed the demographics, BMI and physical activity, and smoking and alcohol use within the GrassrootsHealth cohort as well as where participants are located around the world. Today, we’ll look at the diet type and food intake, which were added to the questionnaire in 2017.
On the health and lifestyle questionnaire, participants are asked about their diet type (vegan, strict vegetarian, lacto/ovo vegetarian, or none of those). The chart below shows the percent of participants for each diet category. Fewer than 10% of participants identify as either vegan or vegetarian.
Participants are also asked about their typical fatty fish and plant-based omega-3 consumption. The chart below shows the percent of participants for each category of fish and plant-based omega-3 intake (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more than 4 meals per week).
Nearly three quarters (72%) consumed less than two meals with fatty fish per week, the amount recommended by the American Heart Association. The most common types of fatty fish reported were salmon, sardines, and tuna.
Consumption of plant-based omega-3s, such as walnuts, chia seeds, or flax seeds, was more evenly split with 49% of participants consuming them with fewer than two meals per week and 51% with two or more.
Are you getting the nutrients you need through your diet?
Testing your vitamin D level regularly and taking steps to keep it at a target level of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) is important for all stages of health. Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your omega-3 status, inflammation levels, and levels of essential nutrients and toxins. Find out your levels today! Log on to the shop (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your level can be improved.
Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!
Click Here to Access the Shop Page
How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?
To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
