England's Hidden Nutrient Gap: The Nutritional Deficiency Report

New research shows that nutritional deficiencies remain widespread, affecting millions of adults across the country. From vitamin D shortfalls in the winter months to iron and B12 gaps across different age and gender groups, the numbers highlight how easy it is to miss out on key nutrients, even when our health is more of a focus than ever.⊕

This report breaks down the state of nutritional deficiency in England today, exploring:

• The most common nutrient gaps and who they affect most
• How deficiencies vary by gender and age
• Why hospital admissions linked to nutrition could be rising
• What Google search data reveals about public awareness and interest in nutritional health
• How fruit and vegetable consumption rates differ across England, and how these link to deficiency risk

By making the data accessible, AG1 aims to support a more informed conversation about daily nutrition and the simple steps people can take to improve it.

Hospital Admissions From Nutrient Deficiencies Have Nearly Tripled In A Decade

Hospital admissions linked to nutritional deficiencies have surged from just under 400,000 in 2015-16 to over 1.1 million in 2024-25, an increase of 188% in the period studied.

While a slight dip was visible in 2020/21, likely due to reduced hospital activity during the pandemic, admissions rebounded strongly the following year and have since reached record highs. This could suggest that nutritional health challenges worsened as a result of COVID-19, with missed diagnoses and treatment delays potentially contributing to the spike.

Deficiency Rates Have Increased Sharply In Recent Years, Up 62% Since 2020

The last five years have seen a steep acceleration in hospital admissions linked to deficiencies. Between 2019/20 and 2024/25, cases rose from 709,141 to 1,148,236 – a 62% increase in just half a decade. Of course, we have to consider population growth over this period, but the rising prevalence of deficiencies has outpaced this significantly.

Iron, vitamin D, and B-vitamin deficiencies account for the bulk of this rise, but other conditions, such as rickets and scurvy, also show growth. The trend underlines how nutritional gaps are not levelling off but intensifying, placing a growing strain on public health systems.

Nearly 90% of Deficiency Admissions Are Due to Iron, Vitamin D, and B Vitamins

Nearly nine in ten (89%) hospital admissions linked to deficiency stem from just three nutrients (iron, vitamin D, and the B-vitamins), underlining how a small set of nutrition gaps continues to have the biggest impact on public health and put the greatest strain on NHS resources.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia Accounts For The Most Hospital Admissions, But Data Reveals Both Men And Women Are Affected

Iron deficiency anaemia is the UK’s most common nutrition-related condition, responsible for 4,056,441 admissions between 2015/16 and 2024/25 – more than double the next most common deficiency. The prevalence of iron deficiency has also increased continuously over the period studied, rising from 252,759 to more than 600,000 annually (a jump of 144%).

While women of reproductive age are disproportionately affected due to higher iron requirements, the data shows deficiencies are surprisingly widespread among men.⊕ Of the 4 million admissions in the last decade, 61% were female, but 39% were male, highlighting how what’s commonly thought of as a female-only issue has extensive impacts on both genders.

Cases Of Vitamin D Deficiency Have Quadrupled Since 2016

Over the ten years studied, vitamin D deficiency rates have increased by 367%, climbing from 37,872 cases to 159,019 cases (nearly 1.5 million in total). This is one of the steepest growth rates across all nutrients, potentially signalling a combination of structural and lifestyle factors, such as the UK’s limited winter sunlight exposure and changing dietary patterns.

Admissions linked to vitamin D deficiency skew female, with 942,196 cases in women versus 539,045 in men – a 64% share. This reinforces assumptions about how lifestyle and biological factors combine to put women at greater risk.

B-Group Vitamin Deficiencies Accounted For Nearly 1 Million Admissions

Deficiencies across the B-vitamin group (including folate, thiamine, and others) led to 935,093 hospital admissions over the last decade, placing them third overall in terms of national prevalence.

Each B vitamin plays different roles in energy metabolism, nerve function, and red blood cell production. B12 and folate deficiencies, for example, are closely linked to anaemia, while thiamine deficiency can cause neurological complications if left unmanaged.

Men Are Twice As At Risk Of Thiamine Deficiency As Women

Male thiamine deficiency admissions are twice as high as female (11,637 vs. 5,807). This condition can arise due to a range of things, including alcoholism, liver disease, inadequate dietary nutrition, and hyperthyroidism (which causes the body to use more thiamine than normal).

Deficiency data aligns with national liver disease mortality rates, which show men are nearly twice as likely to die from liver disease as women (62% vs 38%).⊕

Severe But Rare Deficiencies Are Still Present In England

In the last decade, there have been 2,324 cases of rickets (primarily caused by a lack of vitamin D, but can also be linked to calcium and phosphate deficiencies) and 1,971 cases of scurvy (caused by a deficiency of vitamin C/ascorbic acid), which led to hospital admissions.

Nutrient Deficiency By Age: How Do Risks Vary Over Time?

Hospital admissions data shows that nutritional deficiencies affect people at every stage of life, but the risks vary greatly depending on age.

Deficiencies Rise Steeply With Age

Admissions linked to nutritional deficiencies increase sharply in later life. Adults over 65 account for more than 4 million cases in the past decade, with the 75–84 age group recording 1.63 million admissions alone. Age-related changes in diet, absorption, and chronic illness make older populations particularly vulnerable, meaning supplements can become a helpful addition to balanced diets.

Iron Deficiency Is The Most Common Across All Age Groups

Iron deficiency dominates every age bracket, from children under five to adults over 85. Cases peak in later life, with nearly 1 million admissions among 75-84-year-olds, but the impact is also evident in younger groups, including 123,336 admissions among 15-24-year-olds.

Vitamin D Deficiency Climbs Dramatically With Age

While vitamin D shortfalls are seen in children and young adults, they rise sharply with age. Just 145 admissions were recorded in under-5s, compared to over 60,000 in the 75–84 group. Reduced sun exposure, changes in skin synthesis, and dietary and lifestyle patterns are key contributors.

For example, working-age people may find that spending more time indoors at home or in an office means less sun exposure. For this group, taking daily supplements can be an effective way to restore normal bodily nutrient levels.

Iron And Vitamin B Are The Most Widespread Deficiencies Among People Aged Between 25 And 54

Working-age adults carry a significant share of the deficiency burden, with iron and B-vitamin shortfalls widespread. Between the ages of 25 and 54, there were more than 1.3 million admissions for iron deficiency and nearly 215,000 for B-group deficiencies, making them two of the most widespread challenges for younger and mid-life adults.

Public Interest In Vitamin Deficiencies Aligns With Hospital Admission Rates

Google search data shows that nutritional deficiencies aren’t just a clinical issue; they’re on the minds of millions of people across England. Between 2024 and 2025, there were more than 2.2 million searches for terms relating to vitamin deficiencies, symptoms, and food sources, equating to 3,251 searches per 100,000 people.

Vitamin D Deficiencies Dominate Public Interest

Vitamin D is by far the most searched-for deficiency, with more than 1.2 million queries around deficiency, symptoms, and food sources in the past year alone. This mirrors its substantial presence in hospital admissions data, but also highlights heightened public concern about the “sunshine vitamin” in a country with limited sunlight during the winter months.

B12 And Folate Are Common Causes For Worry

Vitamin B12 deficiency generated nearly 800,000 searches, while folate deficiency saw over 200,000. These searches often focused on symptoms, showing that people are not just looking for dietary advice but actively questioning whether they may be deficient themselves.

Manchester Saw The Most Vitamin Deficiency Interest Per Capita, Followed Closely By Birmingham

When population size is factored in, Manchester leads the UK for vitamin deficiency searches, with more than 6,100 queries per 100,000 people. Birmingham (6,002) and Newcastle upon Tyne (5,683) follow closely.

Data Highlights How Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Across England Varies Greatly By Region

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables daily is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Yet, in most parts of England, on average, less than one-third (31.8%) of adults meet the government’s ‘5-a-day’ recommendation.

Fewer Than 1 In 10 Local Authorities See More Than 40% Of Adults Meet The 5-A-Day Target

Across England, the vast majority of local authorities report that fewer than 40% of adults manage to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Just 28 out of 296 areas surpass this threshold, stressing how difficult it is for communities to achieve even modest compliance with dietary guidelines.

This means that in over 90% of local authorities, most residents fall short of the target, leaving a significant gap between public health recommendations and real-world eating habits.

Nearly Half Of Adults In Herefordshire Eat 5 Portions Of Fruit And Vegetables Per Day

Herefordshire tops the national rankings, with 46.7% of adults meeting the daily 5-a-day target. Close behind are the Derbyshire Dales (46.6%), South Hampshire (46.4%), and St Albans (45.8%). These rural and more affluent areas dominate the upper end of the table, suggesting that better access to fresh produce and healthier food environments may play a role.

Here are the top-performing areas of England for daily fruit and vegetable consumption:

Adults in Slough Eat the Least Fruit and Vegetables, With Less Than 20% Reaching Recommended Targets

At the opposite end of the scale, fewer than one in five adults reach the benchmark in some parts of England. Slough (18.8%), Blackburn with Darwen (18.9%), Barking and Dagenham (19.1%), and Luton (19.1%) sit among the lowest performers, highlighting stark regional disparities.

Here are the worst-performing areas for daily fruit and vegetable consumption:

Expert Perspectives on Managing Nutrient Gaps

While everyone’s nutritional needs differ, a few common factors can make it harder to meet daily requirements consistently.

Here, Olivia Pelaez (MS, IFNCP), Product Education and Training Manager on the Research, Nutrition, and Innovation team at AG1, shares considerations when thinking about nutrient intake and how to support it daily.

1. Absorption Matters As Much As Intake

When we think about meeting our daily nutrient needs, it’s not just what we eat but how our bodies absorb it. For example, vitamin C can help with iron absorption, while too much caffeine or alcohol can interfere with nutrient uptake. Building awareness of these interactions can make a real difference in how effectively our bodies use what we consume.

2. Lifestyle Factors Can Increase Nutrient Demand

Stress, long working hours, intense exercise, or poor sleep all raise your body’s demand for key nutrients. That means even a good diet might not always cover your needs, so taking supplements could help support normal body function.

3. Diet Restrictions Can Create Gaps

With the rising popularity of plant-based and low-carb diets, it’s important to remember that they can increase the likelihood of certain deficiencies (such as iron and vitamin B12) due to the nutrient densities of different foods.⊕ Being proactive by enjoying a variety of superfoods and taking appropriate supplements like AG1 can help you maintain energy levels and long-term health.

4. Seasonality Plays A Role In Deficiency

Your nutrient intake naturally fluctuates throughout the year. Vitamin D is the obvious example in winter, but fruit and vegetable variety also changes seasonally, along with dietary preferences, which can affect the number of different vitamins and minerals you get. This is one reason why having a consistent, accessible supplement like a greens powder is such an effective way to support your baseline nutrient intake.

Methodology

AG1 is a leading daily foundational nutrition supplement, formulated to help people cover key nutritional gaps with one convenient product.

As part of our ongoing commitment to raising nutrition and public health awareness in the UK, we sourced and analysed extensive data on vitamin deficiencies to highlight how they affect the population.

We used data on Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) gathered via a Freedom of Information request to NHS England to find the following:

• The number of hospital admissions in England where there was any diagnosis of vitamin deficiency or a related condition between 2015/16 and 2024/25
• Year-on-year changes in deficiency-related hospital admissions
• Hospital admission data by gender and age

We used data from Public Health England’s Fingertips on the percentage of adults in each local authority meeting the recommended ‘5-a-day’ fruit and vegetable target.

We used Google Keyword Planner to find the number of searches between June 2024 and July 2025 in the UK's 20 biggest towns and cities and for the country as a whole for queries relevant to deficiencies in vitamins D and B12, folate, and riboflavin. The queries analysed were as follows:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Lack of Vitamin D symptoms
• High Vitamin D foods
• B12 deficiency
• Lack of B12 symptoms
• High B12 foods
• Folate deficiency
• Lack of Folate symptoms
• High Folate foods
• Riboflavin deficiency
• Lack of Riboflavin symptoms
• High Riboflavin foods

*The number of hospital admissions due to the relevant vitamin deficiency recorded between 2015/16 and 2024/25. Figures are per 100,000 residents across all data in this report.