In 2025, people are paying more attention to their body shape and nutrition. Many people may still believe that simply consuming the right proportions of protein, good fats and carbohydrates is enough to be healthy. However, W9 Wellness Center has found that this lifestyle may be The modern “health trap” that can lead to malnutrition without you knowing it From eating processed foods that emphasize convenience, which affects all genders and ages, not just children, the elderly, or people with chronic diseases.

Many people place too much emphasis on total energy intake or calorie counting, looking only at macronutrients in the hopes of achieving weight control or muscle gain. However,What most people neglect is “food quality.” Especially when choosing to consumeUltra-processed food Although it is convenient, fast and seems to have complete nutrition, it isLack of many essential minerals and vitamins (Micronutrients) For example, microwaving vegetables can destroy almost all of the plant's key antioxidant carotenoids, or even consuming protein powders instead of natural food sources.

Dr. Pijak Wongwisit, a preventative and regenerative medicine physician at W9 Wellness Center, explains that many processed foods are designed to taste good and be filling. Most attempt to distort nutritional information, competing to emphasize specific strengths such as high protein, low carb, low fat, or even organic. However, these are not actually healthy foods as many people believe. This is because the food processing processes, which most companies don't clearly state, deprive the body of essential nutrients needed for normal cellular functioning, such as vitamins A, C, B-complex, magnesium, zinc, silica, and sulfur. Chronic deficiency can affect the immune system, sleep, mood, and even...It is the starting point for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, brain fog and mood swings.

Hormones, another important piece of the puzzle that has been overlooked in the processed food era

In addition to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, the consumption of ultra-processed foods also affects the body's hormonal balance, which is a key factor in health and anti-aging. Hormones control various bodily processes, from energy metabolism, sleep, mood, to immune function and cell repair. The effects of nutritional deficiencies on hormone balance are as follows:

• Insulin and insulin resistance: Consuming processed foods that are high in sugar, or even adding sugar-free artificial sweeteners, many of which cause the body to release more insulin, leading toInsulin resistance This is the starting point for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Stress hormone (Cortisol): Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, which are common in people who regularly eat processed foods, can cause the body to produce imbalanced levels of the hormone cortisol, leading to accumulated stress, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
• Thyroid hormones: Certain minerals, such as selenium and iodine, are important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones to regulate the body's energy metabolism. A deficiency in these nutrients can lead to thyroid dysfunction, which can cause fatigue, weight gain, or hair loss.
• Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Testosterone): BPA, a plastic contaminant found in most processed food containers and packaging, is a major enemy of the hormonal system. This has a direct effect on the balance of sex hormones by disrupting everything from production to the functioning of hormones in the body (Hormone disruptors), which affects metabolism, brain function, sexual desire, and muscle mass.

Nutrition crisis affects future health

From data collectionFrom the comprehensive health examination of Thai people for more than 6 years W9 Wellness Center found that Nutrition assessment today is complex and may not be as straightforward as it was in the past. While processed foods are still minimal and the nutritional value of food remains as complete as it should be, due to a soil quality crisis, many minerals and probiotics are lost from the soil, resulting in an imbalance of minerals and an imbalance of the intestines (Gut dysbiosis), which reduces nutrient absorption. All of these are contributing factors to "malnutrition" in the modern era, where people consume enough or more calories than they should, but still suffer from malnutrition in large numbers.

This issue has been highlighted in a major study during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that older adults who lack minerals and micronutrients, such as zinc, are more susceptible to viral infections, have more severe illnesses, and experience higher hospitalization and mortality rates. Low levels of magnesium in tissues are also associated with migraine headaches and muscle pain, and are more prone to office syndrome. Supplementing with vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium in migraine patients can help prevent and reduce the severity of migraines.

W9 Wellness Center encourages everyone to focus on “Food value” is more than just counting energy content. Especially for the elderly or those with chronic diseases, nutritional analysis can be helpful in providing insights to prevent long-term health problems and optimize nutritional balance for each individual, as good health starts from within.

Phramongkutklao Hospital (3rd floor, Building A)

• Phone number: 092-9936922
• Line: @w9wellness
• Opening-closing hours: 08.00 – 17.00 hrs.

About the article author

Author and Reviewer

Dr. Pichak Wongwisit (Dr. Bai)

Anti-aging and preventative medicine physician
Director of W9 Wellness Center