Vitamins keep us healthy and functional by replenishing our bodies. When our body lacks essential nutrients, we experience minor symptoms which many of us choose to ignore. It’s not uncommon to see people take their health for granted so long as everything is working fine!
Among the ones that proactively take vitamins, a lot of times, its self-prescribed so they end up taking too much or too little. It’s best to understand what your symptoms mean and which vitamin you might be lacking.
We’ve listed out 11 signs you may be experiencing that could point to a lack of key nutrients.
Hair loss:
If you’re losing about 100 strands a day, there’s no cause for panic. It’s normal to shed around that much. However, if you see clumps of hair falling out, you should see a doctor. You could be experiencing low levels of iron, zinc, Niacin (vitamin B3) and Linoleic Acid. Many multivitamin supplements are marketed for hair loss, but it’s wiser to know which key ingredients would actually help.
Ensure that you’re getting the right nutrients by switching to a diet that’s rich in whole grains, dairy, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, legumes, meat, fish and egg.
Burning Sensation in Feet or Tongue:
Since this symptom doesn’t cause too much discomfort, it tends to get ignored. Most people think it’ll pass on its own. But if you’re experiencing this, you need to get your Vitamin B12 levels checked.
This symptom can also be a result of a lack of meat or dairy products in your diet. If you’re a vegan, you need to ensure you get your dose of B12 from fortified soy and coconut milk, almond milk, and nutritional yeast.
Muscle Cramps:
Muscle cramps are so common that we assume it’s part of our day-to-day life! But actually, this could indicate a calcium deficiency which causes the muscles to tighten up. With enough calcium, the muscles should be able to relax. This symptom could also be a result of low levels of magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Poor Appetite/Anorexia:
Zinc is a vital trace mineral that we absolutely need in our bodies and we usually get what we require from our diet. A well-nourished person may neve face this deficiency. But experiencing a loss in appetite could mean low levels of zinc. If it goes unchecked, the symptoms could become more severe leading to anorexia.
Apathy and Depression:
This is another symptom of zinc deficiency, but apathy could also mean a lack of iron and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Most people who face apathy and depression make poor food choices and lack proper nutrition. Dietary supplements containing amino acids have been found to reduce symptoms.
Weak or Brittle Fingernails:
Experiencing brittle fingernails could stir up some worry. This symptom could indicate that you’re deficient in calcium and/or biotin (a vitamin B complex).
You could face this deficiency if you are pregnant, a heavy smoker or drinker, or have any digestive disorders, or Crohn’s disease. Even extended use of antibiotics and anti-seizure medications could cause this.
In some cases, drinking raw egg whites causes brittle nails because a protein called avidin present in them fuses with biotin reducing its absorption into the body.
To combat this, you could include bananas, whole grains, yeast, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, dairy, and egg yolks in your diet. Ensure you get the right vitamins to strengthen your nails.
Difficulty Swallowing:
Most of the times, this could be linked to the flu or throat pain, so people take medicate themselves accordingly. But this symptom also points to a minor deficiency in calcium. If you find it difficult to swallow but don’t seem to be plagued by the common cold and cough, you should check your calcium levels.
Ignoring this could lead to more severe symptoms like tooth decay, mental confusion, irritability, and heart problems among others.
Numbness or Tingling Fingers:
Unless it’s freezing outside, your numb fingers might be an indication of a calcium deficiency. This symptom indicates that it’s only a minor deficiency. Early steps could prevent more serious problems.
Lethargy and Fatigue:
If you don’t get enough vitamins and minerals, your body exhibits it in the form of constant tiredness. Pay heed to what your body tells you. You might experience fatigue if you lack a number of nutrients including Vitamin C, B12, and D, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid.
Wounds Are Slow to Heal:
Vitamin C has many powers – all vital to keeping us alive!
Picture Vitamin C as your line of defence, ever ready to fight and repair, it keeps us safe. If you notice that your wounds are taking longer to heal, especially if it’s accompanied by falling ill often, you might be lacking Vitamin C. Studies show that Vitamin C plays a role in every stage of the healing process.
Eating more fruits and vegetables, along with taking supplements can help you boost your immunity levels. Smoker’s have a reduced ability to absorb Vitamin C so quitting the habit can help increase your levels of this essential vitamin.
Bone Pain:
When we hear “bone,” we think Calcium. But bone pain can also be due to a lack of Vitamin D. This deficiency is on the rise, especially among the indoor working population that doesn’t get enough sunlight – the ultimate natural source of Vitamin D. Calcium is also very crucial to boost the bone strength.
A lack of this vitamin makes you susceptible to heart problems, osteoporosis, arthritis, and rickets.
The human body is not one to keep quiet about low levels of vitamins and minerals. It alerts you using many symptoms. So if you feel a bit off, your body is definitely indicating that something is not right.
Listening to the early warning signs, as mild as they may be, can save you from severe health issues!