The human body has been designed with such wonderment and precision that it boggles the mind.  To this day scientists are adamantly trying to figure out the science of how and why it works like it does.

Like a finely tuned engine, the body can work brilliantly when well nourished.  Unlike a vehicle’s dashboard, that can light up like a Christmas tree, when a system is out of calibration, the human body has its way of letting the owner know it needs help.  The signs are often obscure, they become something we grow familiar with, and since the signs don’t generate pain, the owner doesn’t know to make the appropriate modifications.  Unfortunately, the human, does not come with an owner’s manual.

Understanding the signs the body produces can help in overcoming certain nutrient deficiency.  For instance, a common sign of zinc deficiency is salting food before even tasting it.  Low zinc levels affect the ability to taste.  Zinc deficiency can also affect the ability of the body to heal from a wound; therefore, surface cuts that should take a few days to heal take longer and/or it end up forming a scar. Stretch marks from a rapid growth phase or pregnancy can be due to a zinc deficiency.  White spots on the fingernails are a classic sign of zinc deficiency.

A sign of Vitamin C deficiency can be of a “pink” tooth brush after brushing.  Another sign is of bruising easily, at times with no recollection of trauma or bumping into anything.  Also, ingrown hair is a sign of Vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency tends to produce cracked lips or cracks at the corner of the mouth and often a red, inflamed tongue.  Light sensitivity is also a common Vitamin B2 deficiency sign. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) has a tendency to produce a burning feet sensation.  Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency can cause a reaction to MSG; a favor enhancer often found in Chinese restaurant meals and in processed foods.

Omega III fatty acid (fish oil) deficiency can be seen as dry skin and the characteristic, red, inflamed  ‘goose bump’ rash on the upper arms and/or upper outer thighs.  Another sign of Omega III fatty acid deficiency is excessive ear wax production.

Skin tags on the neck, arms and/or back is a sign of blood sugar regulation problems, i.e., hypoglycemia or diabetes. A classic sign of iron deficiency is craving and chewing ice. Craving chocolate is sign of magnesium deficiency.

These signs are a sampling and are by no means inclusive of all nutrient deficiencies.

While a diagnosis for a condition can’t be made from these signs alone, they are a wake-up call, alerting the owner of said body that attention is needed.  As the old saying goes, “it is easier to stay healthy than to try to become healthy”. It is best to consult with a holistically oriented health care provider who can make the appropriate recommendations on what nutrition and lifestyle changes work best for you.

This information is for educational purposes and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment.