#9: Make sure you don’t have nutrient deficiencies.

Minerals such as magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc are extremely important for metabolic health.

For example, magnesium improves insulin sensitivity of cells. Vitamin D enables other nutrients such as calcium to sustain metabolic rate and bone metabolism, while preventing the hormone testosterone from being aromatized or changed into estrogen. Zinc enables hormone balance and acts as an antioxidant, keeping cells and DNA healthy.

If your levels of these nutrients are topped off, they cease to be a concern, but if you’re deficient, they become a top priority for fat loss.