Are You Deficient in Vitamin M?

We’re all familiar with the importance of a balanced diet. We know we need Vitamin C to ward off colds, Vitamin D for healthy bones, and a host of other nutrients to keep our bodies functioning optimally. And we understand that without adequate food, water, and sleep, our health will inevitably decline.

But – there’s another essential nutrient that most of us are chronically deficient in. One that doesn’t come from a pill or a plate, but from our daily actions.

I’m talking about Vitamin M, or…Movement!

In our modern world, we’ve engineered movement out of our lives. We sit at desks, in cars, and on sofas for hours on end. 

We see movement as a chore, something to be ticked off a list for 30-60 minutes at the gym. But this perspective misses a fundamental biological truth: movement is not an optional lifestyle choice. It is a vital nutrient required by every single cell in your body.

The Problem of Movement Deficiency

The concept of “movement deficiency” has been powerfully articulated by biomechanist Katy Bowman.

She suggests that we should think of movement in the same way we think about food. In other words, just as a lack of essential vitamins leads to disease, a chronic lack of movement contributes to its own set of modern illnesses.

When you move, you create mechanical signals that tell your cells how to behave. This is how your body maintains itself. Blood flows, cells regenerate, and tissues remodel based on the demands you place upon them. 

When we remain still for long periods, we are essentially starving our cells of this critical information. Our circulation becomes sluggish, our muscles and bones weaken, and our joints stiffen.

Many people believe that a regular gym session is enough to counteract a day of sitting. While exercise is certainly beneficial, it can’t fully compensate for 8 or 10 hours of stillness. The solution however isn’t necessarily more exercise, but more movement woven throughout the entire day.

How to Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin M

So, how can we begin to reintroduce this essential nutrient into our lives? The key is to start small and build new habits. It’s about finding opportunities to move in your existing routine.

• Punctuate your sitting: If you work at a desk, set a timer to get up and move every 30 minutes. Walk around, do a few stretches, or simply stand up.
• Create a movement-rich environment: Can you sit on the floor instead of the sofa while watching TV? Can you place your water bottle on the other side of the room so you have to get up to drink?
• Walk more: Park further away from the shop entrance. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Go for a short walk during your lunch break. Walking is one of the most fundamental and nourishing movements for the human body.
• Introduce variety: Try to incorporate different types of movement. Squat down to pick something up instead of bending at the waist. Reach up high into a cupboard. Carry your shopping bags instead of using a trolley for a light shop.

Movement is the Language of the Body. 

Movement is the way your brain communicates with your tissues and the way your cells stay healthy and alive.

By starting to see movement as an essential nutrient—as vital as the air you breathe and the food you eat—you can begin to reverse the effects of our sedentary culture and build a more resilient, energised, and healthier you.

If you feel like your body is suffering from movement hunger, or if pain and stiffness are holding you back, we are here to help. Chiropractic care can be a wonderful way to restore motion to your spine and joints, helping you on your journey to a more movement-rich life.

Ready to start nourishing your body with movement? Book your appointment with us today.

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