Well, while you are eating a nutrient-dense, individually appropriate diet, then it is priority 1 to make sure you’re getting all the benefits of that nutritious food. Consider for a moment the exhaustive list of “essential” nutrients. I’m talking vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids. These are considered essential because your body NEEDS them and it CANNOT produce them itself. That’s where your diet comes in. And when I say needs them, I mean really, so many organs, systems, and processes rely on them to keep your body alive. 

Like that cholesterol, you need to produce hormones like cortisol that help you get up in the morning and run from that bear (I mean stress about that email your boss sent), but also plays a role in blood sugar control (this actually keeps you alive). You also need cholesterol for your sex hormones, and poor digestion can be linked to hormonal imbalances.  

Did you know that Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of chemical reactions in your body, including some related to blood sugar control, steady heartbeats, and nerve function?  Again, you can’t live without these nutrients, but you can’t use them if your body doesn’t properly break them down and absorb them because your stomach acid or enzymes (hello again minerals) aren’t breaking them down, or your intestines are too inflamed to recognize the food it needs or to be able to absorb it.