If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, then you might experience noticeable symptoms.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be serious. Some increase your risk of disease and illness.
Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies are less serious but still need attention: a lack of vitamin B12 could lower your energy, for example, while a lack of vitamin D could weaken your immune system.
Are you experiencing symptoms and concerned about a vitamin or mineral deficiency? Do you feel like you’re doing everything right but still experiencing symptoms? You might have a nutrient deficiency.
Here are the most common symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
1) You Frequently Get Sick: People who get sick often may have weaker immune systems. Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in supporting immunity. If you have inadequate vitamin and mineral intake, then your immune system could suffer. If you feel like you’re constantly sick, then it could be a nutrient deficiency. Fortunately, nutrient deficiencies are easy to solve.
2) You Feel Mentally Foggy: Mental fog can be caused by anything. However, some mental fog is caused by nutrient deficiencies. Your brain, like your body, needs vitamins and minerals for optimal function. If you’re not giving your brain B vitamins, antioxidants, vitamin D, and other crucial nutrients, then you could experience mental fog.
3) You’re Pregnant: Women who are pregnant are more likely to have a nutrient deficiency. After all, you’re growing another person inside of you. If you are pregnant and have not raised your vitamin and mineral intake, then you may have a nutrient deficiency. Nearly 42% of young, pregnant women are deficient in iron, for example, making it one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world.
4) Your Fingers Are Numb and Tingling: Some people constantly complain about feeling cold. They might regularly feel a numbness or tingling in their fingers, for example. This can be a sign of very low calcium levels. Although there are no obvious short-term signs of calcium deficiency, prolonged calcium deficiency can lead to numbness and tingling. Take a nutrient deficiency test and add more dark, leafy greens to your diet to target this deficiency.
5) Your Bones Hurt: If your bones hurt, then you might be deficient in vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D can literally soften your bones over time. This deficiency is also linked to autoimmune disorders and an increased risk of cancers. Although vitamin D deficiency is tough to spot, aching bones could be a sign of one or more nutrient deficiencies.
6) Your Muscles Feel Weak: Muscle weakness isn’t normal. If your muscles feel weak, then you could have low levels of potassium and other crucial nutrients. You shouldn’t feel exhausted after brief exercise, for example, and basic movements shouldn’t leave your muscles feeling weak. Potassium is crucial for muscle energy. Try having more bananas, milk, lentils, or kidney beans to boost potassium intake.
7) You Have Abnormal Heart Rhythm: If you have abnormal heart rhythm, then you might have low calcium levels. Most adults need 1,000mg of calcium per day, although older adults need over 1,200mg, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you don’t get enough calcium (say, from milk, yogurt, cheese, or calcium-fortified orange juice), then you might experience arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm.
8) You’re Short of Breath: If you find yourself short of breath frequently, then you might have an iron deficiency. People who are deficient in iron may have anemia, or a low red blood cell count. Low iron levels can lead to cold hands and feet, brittle nails, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Consider adding more iron to your diet if you find yourself short of breath.
9) You Have a Swollen Tongue: A swollen tongue is uncomfortable. However, it could also be a sign of a more serious nutrient deficiency. Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include numbness in the legs, hands, or feet as well as a swollen tongue. A swollen tongue could also be a sign of other nutrient deficiencies, which is why you may want to take a deficiency test.
10) You Just Started a Vegan or Vegetarian Diet: When done correctly, there’s nothing wrong with a vegan or vegetarian diet. Unfortunately, many new dieters struggle to get adequate nutrient intake on a vegan or vegetarian diet. Because there are no good plant sources of vitamin B12, for example, many are deficient in vitamin B12, leading to low energy levels and other problems.
11) You Have Digestive Issues: Diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive issues could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. Diarrhea, for example, could be a sign of low folic acid (folate) intake. By taking a deficiency test, you can spot your issues and determine if you need to take a supplement or adjust your diet.
12) You’ve Lost Your Appetite: Low appetite isn’t normal. If you’ve suddenly lost your appetite and don’t feel hungry, then it could be a sign of nutritional imbalances. Magnesium deficiency, for example, is linked to a loss of appetite. Others experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or weakness because of magnesium deficiency.
13) You Have Severe Hair Loss: Some hair loss is normal. Your scalp naturally loses around 100 hairs per day. However, excessive or sudden hair loss could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. Low iron levels, for example, can lead to sudden hair loss. In any case, talk to your doctor if you’ve experienced sudden hair loss, as it could be a sign of a serious nutrient deficiency or other health issue.
14) Wounds Take a Long Time to Heal: Do your gums bleed excessively when flossing your teeth? Do you bruise easily? Does it take a long time to heal from simple injuries – like scrapes? If so, then you might have vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that limits damage to cells. Consider increasing vitamin C intake if your wounds take a long time to heal.
15) Your Mouth Feels Funny or Has a Strange Taste: If your mouth is cracked or inflamed, or if you have an unusually pale or swollen tongue, then you could be deficient in iron or B vitamins. Some people also spot a nutrient deficiency because of a strange taste in their mouth. Whatever the situation may be, funny mouth sensations could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.
Do you have any of the symptoms listed above? Take a nutrient deficiency test for peace of mind.
Dr. Jumper is passionate about guiding everyone on their path to achieving optimal health and feeling their best. He received a Doctorate degree from Logan University of Health Sciences and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in human biology. Dr. Jumper utilizes his extensive knowledge and experience with nutrition and whole body care to address root causes — as opposed to simply medicating symptoms; potentially masking underlying problems. With over 25 years of experience in helping patients, Dr. Jumper is truly dedicated to helping make the world a healthier place.