With
our fast-paced world and busy lifestyles today, it is not rare for us
to occasionally skimp on healthy, nutritional foods and rather feast on
fast foods that can be gotten on the go. While these may provide
calories and satisfy hunger, making this a regular habit can deprive the
body of much needed nutrients. Fortunately, our bodies communicate with
us and give us symptoms that all is not well.
However, we tend to ignore such symptoms until the body breaks down in sickness.
Some ways to detect certain vitamin deficiencies as shown in different parts of the body are as discussed below. However, it is important to note that these shouldn’t be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Always consult with your doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your health or the health of others.
Skin
The skin being the largest organ in the body is also a wide canvass that can showcase health problems and nutritional deficiencies. Dr Georgiana Donadio, founder and director of the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston, said “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional need.” Although it is sometimes tricky to link certain skin problems with vitamin deficiencies as a result of external factors such as use of harsh chemicals, exposure to harsh weather elements and the like, it is important to note that certain vitamins play a crucial role for optimum skin health. Some vitamins of note include vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex, which experts have found help improve skin health and appearance. In a study published in the 2008 edition of the journal, Canadian family Physician, entitled “Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency” pointed out that some skin problems associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyper-pigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis and hair changes. Vitamin E deficiency has been known to contribute to the development of wrinkles and stretch marks.
Hair
Loss of hair is natural but when it becomes a considerably huge loss, it could indicate an underlying health issue. Though there are other possible causes, sometimes vitamin deficiency can be culprit. According to a review paper published in the June 2009 issue of the “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine,” a deficiency in vitamin D as well as biotin, one of the B vitamins can cause thinning hair in women. The American College of Dermatology and the 2009 review in the “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine” equally report that iron or zinc deficiency can also cause hair loss.
Although dandruff could be just dry skin of the scalp scaling off, sometimes deficiency in vitamins B2, B6, zinc, magnesium and biotin could cause cases of dandruff.
Nails
The nails can also provide quick insight into what’s going on in the body. However, fingernails tend to be more reliable in providing these clues than toenails owing to the situations the feet pass through that may alter results (e.g. wearing tight shoes). A spoon-shaped nail, in which the nail curves up from the nail bed like a spoon (a condition called koilonychia) can be an indicator of iron-deficiency anaemia.
Sometimes, soft or brittle nails may also indicate a vitamin deficiency, though experts say excessive exposure to water or harsh, drying chemicals, such as nail polish remover and dish detergents may also cause dry and brittle nails. However, these vitamin deficiencies can affect nails, causing them to become brittle and more likely to split and peel. Some of these are Vitamin A, zinc and iron deficiency.
Usually, upon pressing a nail, it should initially turn white or pale, but as soon as pressure is released, the nail should return to a rosy pink colour. But when it remains pale/white, it may indicate a deficiency in iron.
For a lot of children in this part of the world, white streaks on the nails are usually attributed to flying cattle egrets popularly known as lekeleke in Yoruba. While trauma could cause the appearance of these spots, they may also be indicative of a deficiency in zinc
Mouth
Besides eating and talking, our mouth can show signs that indicate vitamin deficiency. Right from the teeth and gums to the tongue and corners of the mouth, certain pointers can not only indicate deficiency but also problems with other parts of the body.
Dr. Michael Adewole, a medical practitioner, points out that “sometimes cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth can be a warning sign of either Vitamin B2 deficiency or iron deficiency. This condition is known as angular stomatitis in medical terms. Also, an unusually pale or swollen tongue may be a warning sign of iron or B-vitamin deficiency. Cracked lips may also indicate Vitamin B2 deficiency.”
Moreover, experts have also stated that the condition called burning mouth syndrome may also be linked to vitamin deficiency. The United States of America’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that burning mouth syndrome is characterised by a burning sensation in the mouth and/or tongue and is often accompanied by dry mouth and/or a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth. They say that in some cases, this condition may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, oral yeast infection (candida albicans), or irritation from dentures (dental prosthetics). The burning sensation may be aggravated by hot, spicy foods, but is not caused by them.
Neck
Iodine is an essential trace element that helps the thyroid gland function properly and a deficiency of this nutrient can affect thyroid functions. Experts say approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have this type of deficiency and roughly 29 per cent of the world’s population live in an iodine deficient area. This deficiency can cause goitre (an enlargement of the whole thyroid gland which is located in the neck region, known as ‘smooth goitre’, or part of the gland, called a ‘nodular’ or ‘cystic’ goitre.)
Legs
Muscle cramps in the toes, calves, backs of legs and arches of feet may be a sign of deficiencies in magnesium, calcium and potassium, especially if it happens frequently.
Also tingling, prickling, and Numbness in the hands and feet can also be a sign of B-vitamin deficiency (particularly folate, B6, and B12). Dr Joseph Mercola said “the symptom is related to the deficiency’s effect on the peripheral nerves and may be combined with anxiety, depression, anemia, fatigue and hormone imbalances.”
However, we tend to ignore such symptoms until the body breaks down in sickness.
Some ways to detect certain vitamin deficiencies as shown in different parts of the body are as discussed below. However, it is important to note that these shouldn’t be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Always consult with your doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your health or the health of others.
Skin
The skin being the largest organ in the body is also a wide canvass that can showcase health problems and nutritional deficiencies. Dr Georgiana Donadio, founder and director of the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston, said “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional need.” Although it is sometimes tricky to link certain skin problems with vitamin deficiencies as a result of external factors such as use of harsh chemicals, exposure to harsh weather elements and the like, it is important to note that certain vitamins play a crucial role for optimum skin health. Some vitamins of note include vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex, which experts have found help improve skin health and appearance. In a study published in the 2008 edition of the journal, Canadian family Physician, entitled “Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency” pointed out that some skin problems associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyper-pigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis and hair changes. Vitamin E deficiency has been known to contribute to the development of wrinkles and stretch marks.
Hair
Loss of hair is natural but when it becomes a considerably huge loss, it could indicate an underlying health issue. Though there are other possible causes, sometimes vitamin deficiency can be culprit. According to a review paper published in the June 2009 issue of the “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine,” a deficiency in vitamin D as well as biotin, one of the B vitamins can cause thinning hair in women. The American College of Dermatology and the 2009 review in the “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine” equally report that iron or zinc deficiency can also cause hair loss.
Although dandruff could be just dry skin of the scalp scaling off, sometimes deficiency in vitamins B2, B6, zinc, magnesium and biotin could cause cases of dandruff.
Nails
The nails can also provide quick insight into what’s going on in the body. However, fingernails tend to be more reliable in providing these clues than toenails owing to the situations the feet pass through that may alter results (e.g. wearing tight shoes). A spoon-shaped nail, in which the nail curves up from the nail bed like a spoon (a condition called koilonychia) can be an indicator of iron-deficiency anaemia.
Sometimes, soft or brittle nails may also indicate a vitamin deficiency, though experts say excessive exposure to water or harsh, drying chemicals, such as nail polish remover and dish detergents may also cause dry and brittle nails. However, these vitamin deficiencies can affect nails, causing them to become brittle and more likely to split and peel. Some of these are Vitamin A, zinc and iron deficiency.
Usually, upon pressing a nail, it should initially turn white or pale, but as soon as pressure is released, the nail should return to a rosy pink colour. But when it remains pale/white, it may indicate a deficiency in iron.
For a lot of children in this part of the world, white streaks on the nails are usually attributed to flying cattle egrets popularly known as lekeleke in Yoruba. While trauma could cause the appearance of these spots, they may also be indicative of a deficiency in zinc
Mouth
Besides eating and talking, our mouth can show signs that indicate vitamin deficiency. Right from the teeth and gums to the tongue and corners of the mouth, certain pointers can not only indicate deficiency but also problems with other parts of the body.
Dr. Michael Adewole, a medical practitioner, points out that “sometimes cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth can be a warning sign of either Vitamin B2 deficiency or iron deficiency. This condition is known as angular stomatitis in medical terms. Also, an unusually pale or swollen tongue may be a warning sign of iron or B-vitamin deficiency. Cracked lips may also indicate Vitamin B2 deficiency.”
Moreover, experts have also stated that the condition called burning mouth syndrome may also be linked to vitamin deficiency. The United States of America’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that burning mouth syndrome is characterised by a burning sensation in the mouth and/or tongue and is often accompanied by dry mouth and/or a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth. They say that in some cases, this condition may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, oral yeast infection (candida albicans), or irritation from dentures (dental prosthetics). The burning sensation may be aggravated by hot, spicy foods, but is not caused by them.
Neck
Iodine is an essential trace element that helps the thyroid gland function properly and a deficiency of this nutrient can affect thyroid functions. Experts say approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have this type of deficiency and roughly 29 per cent of the world’s population live in an iodine deficient area. This deficiency can cause goitre (an enlargement of the whole thyroid gland which is located in the neck region, known as ‘smooth goitre’, or part of the gland, called a ‘nodular’ or ‘cystic’ goitre.)
Legs
Muscle cramps in the toes, calves, backs of legs and arches of feet may be a sign of deficiencies in magnesium, calcium and potassium, especially if it happens frequently.
Also tingling, prickling, and Numbness in the hands and feet can also be a sign of B-vitamin deficiency (particularly folate, B6, and B12). Dr Joseph Mercola said “the symptom is related to the deficiency’s effect on the peripheral nerves and may be combined with anxiety, depression, anemia, fatigue and hormone imbalances.”
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