5 Telltale Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
Nowadays, it can be hard to find time to meal plan and eat right. Unfortunately, when we don’t have time to monitor what we’re putting into our bodies, we can wind up missing out on some essential nutrients.
Here are five surefire signs that you’re dealing with a nutrient deficiency.
- Dry Skin
You can chalk up some instances of dry skin to things like seasonal changes, hard water, and inadequate hydration. But, if nothing seems to help relieve your itchy, dry, and flakey skin, the problem may be due to specific nutritional deficits.
Deficits in vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, often lead to dry skin issues. So, if you find yourself reaching for a bottle of lotion every chance you get, you may want to take a good look at your current diet.
- Hair Loss
When it comes to spotting a nutritional deficit, one of the most common signs you can look out for is hair loss. It’s normal for us to shed up to 100 strands of hair every day. And while that may seem a bit high, when compared to the number of follicles on your head, 100 strands is barely enough to notice.
This natural hair loss generally occurs without us even noticing. But, if you’re losing clumps of hair just by brushing or washing your hair, that’s a surefire sign something is wrong.
Severe hair loss usually sparks from an iron deficiency. However, other nutrient deficiencies such as zinc, calcium, and vitamin C can cause your hair to become dry, coarse, and brittle, which can also attribute to hair loss.
- Erratic Heartbeat
Your heartbeat may jump or get a bit irregular when you’re working out or watching a scary movie. But, if you’re sitting down relaxed, your heartbeat should stay pretty consistent.
An irregular heartbeat, palpitations, arrhythmia, and chest pains could all be signs of a severe and potentially dangerous nutritional deficit.
While several nutritional deficits could cause an irregular heartbeat, two of the most common are calcium and magnesium. While you can try altering your diet, if you notice frequent and unusual heart rhythms, you should contact your primary physician as soon as possible.
- Muscle Fatigue
Are you feeling a bit weaker than usual? Are you struggling to lift heavy objects and can’t climb a flight of stairs without getting winded? While this could be a sign that it’s time to hit the gym, muscle weakness is also a sign of several nutritional deficits.
Deficiencies of vitamins C, D, and E can all cause muscle weakness, while others, like magnesium, can cause cramps.
- Slow Healing
If nicks and scrapes are taking longer to heal and scarring more often, or your gums bleed after flossing despite having good dental hygiene, that could be a sign that your body is low on certain nutrients.
Not getting enough essential fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin C can all cause delayed and poor wound healing. So, if you’re noticing scrapes are taking longer to clot or you’re scarring more often than you used to, then it may be time to make a change.
While adjusting your diet is a fantastic way to deal with nutrient deficiency, not everyone has the time or resources to meal plan. And that’s where supplements come in. You can discover more about how to find the most beneficial supplements for you and your body here.
The Surefire Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
Fortunately, while nutrient deficiencies can feel and seem terrifying, they’re pretty easy to take care of, especially if you know which nutrient you’re lacking. By adjusting your diet or even adding a few supplements to your daily wellness regimen, you’ll be able to get back on your feet in no time.
Are you looking for more advice on how to start living your best and healthiest life? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles, tips, and tricks today!
