Vitamin Deficiencies may be written all over your face!
I get asked all the time: “How do we know if we are getting the nutrition we need?” It’s a valid question and it’s not easily answered. Because vitamins and minerals within our bodies are being used every minute of every day, blood testing only provides a snapshot of what you have circulating at a given time. Another way to assess your nutrition status is to look in the mirror because your nutrition is written all over your face!
First of all, is your skin paler than normal? You may be lacking in Vitamin B12. B 12 helps us make red blood cells and comes from animal based foods. Vegans often lack sufficient B12 and must supplement to maintain adequate levels. A deficiency of B12 also makes one feel fatigued.
Pale lips are also a sign of vitamin deficiency. If you check the inside of your lips and they are not pink but very pale you can be lacking in iron. This is the craving that shows up in kids when they eat dirt. This happens more often in women than men but can be corrected with supplements or foods rich in iron like spinach, beans or red meat.
While you are checking out your mouth, check for tender or bleeding gums that can be caused from a lack of Vitamin C. A deficiency of Vitamin C can also show up as brittle hair or muscle aches.
If you are getting plenty of sleep but still have puffy eyes it can be due to a low iodine levels in the body. Iodine is lacking in a huge percentage of people in the United States. In my practice we use a simple urine test to determine iodine levels since iodine is vital for thyroid function as well.
Lastly, if you have eye disease or vision problems, most of them are supported by Vitamin A and the B vitamins. Impaired night vision, cataracts and light sensitivity can be somewhat alleviated with Vitamin A. Some good food sources are green leafy vegetables, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and egg yolks
Good nutritional status is important for the proper function of all the body systems so it’s important to take a close look to determine what you may be lacking. A good supplement can be a vital addition to food because so much of our food is processed, lacking the nutrients we need.
To find out more about your health see Doctor Leesa Haire at Grand Blvd Plaza, 495 Grand Blvd. Suite 206, Miramar Beach, FL or call 850.733.7173.
3 John 1:2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. …
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