Our bodies are a lot smarter than we give them credit for and they talk to us all the time. Whenever we are hungry, our stomach 'growls', we get sensations when we have to use the bathroom and even our taste buds, they tell us how sweet, sour or delicious food is. The same thing goes for knowing when your body is deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral. Processed and man-made products that we consume on a regular basis are virtually stripped of the nutrients and vitamins our bodies need to function properly, hence the huge number of supplements we take.
Below are some signs that your body is deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral!
1. Cracking at the corners of your mouth
What does it mean? Your body is deficient in iron, zinc and certain B vitamins, such as niacin, riboflavin and B12. Many vegetarians are deficient in iron, zinc and B12 because animal protein is a great source of these vitamins.
Solution: Consume more poultry, salmon, tuna, eggs, oysters, clams, Swiss chard, peanuts and legumes. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron in your body, which also helps infection. To boost vitamin C, you can eat more veggies like broccoli, red bell peppers and kale.
2. Red rash on your face and hair loss
What does it mean? You are deficient in vitamin B7 (biotin), which is also known as the hair vitamin. It helps make and break down fatty acids needed for healthy bones and hair. The body doesn't tend to store the water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins).
Solution: Cooked eggs, salmon, avocados, whole grains organ meats, soy beans and bananas. The body doesn't need much of this vitamin because some of it is made in the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Red or white bumps typically on cheeks, arms, thighs and buttocks
What does it mean? You are deficient in essential fatty acids and vitamins A and D.
Solution: Essential fatty acids are the acids that we need to ingest via diet and food because the body doesn't produce them. Cut back on the saturated and trans fats that come from processed foods and increase healthy fats. Some sources of healthy fats are salmon, walnuts, almonds, flax seed, chia seed, hemp and avocados. For the vitamin A sources, consume colorful veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes and red bell peppers as well as leafy greens.
4. Tingling and numbness in hands or feet
What does it mean? Your body is deficient in B6, B9 (folate) and B12.
Solution: B6 is responsible for keeping your nervous system healthy and helps breakdown proteins. Some sources are spinach, asparagus, beans (black, kidney and pinto) and poultry. Folate is responsible for cell development, prevention of birth defects and formation of red blood cells. Some sources can be found in grain products such as lentils, garbanzo beans and dark leafy greens.
5. Muscle cramps that feel like stabbing pains in toes, calves, feet and backs of legs
What does it mean? Your body is deficient in magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Solution: Calcium helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth as well as aiding in muscle function and cell communication. Some sources of calcium come from dairy products, broccoli, spinach, orange juice and soy milk. Magnesium helps bone formation and wound healing and is also an antioxidant. Some sources of magnesium can come from whole grain products, leafy green veggies, almonds, avocados and bananas. Potassium aids in nervous system and muscle function as well as maintaining a healthy balance of water in blood and tissues. Some sources can be broccoli, potatoes, OJ, bananas and tomatoes.
As you probably noticed, most of these problems can be fixed with all kinds of vegetables. Most people don't consume the recommended amount of vegetables per day and therefore have to turn to pharmaceutical drugs to fill the gaps that their diets don't fill. Even if you don't have any of these problems, it could never hurt to eat more veggies and to literally taste the rainbow--vegetables of ALL different colors!
Hope this was helpful!
ENJOY!!
No comments:
Post a Comment