A gastroenterologist specializing in digestive health has outlined five signs that may indicate a nutrient deficiency. As seasonal changes can affect our health, Dr. Saurabh Sethi from California shared insights on how nutrient deficiencies can show up in the body through five specific symptoms on TikTok.
1. Brittle Nails: Nails that break easily after a manicure could suggest a lack of key nutrients in your diet.
2. Twitching Eyelids or Limbs: While minor eyelid twitches can be due to stress or fatigue, Dr. Sethi notes that they may also signal a magnesium deficiency. Muscle twitches elsewhere in the body could also point to a need for more magnesium, which is found in foods like dark leafy greens, bananas, brown rice, and dark chocolate. Magnesium is essential for proper nerve function.
3. Clicking Joints: If your knees pop when standing, you might be deficient in vitamin D3 or calcium, which are crucial for bone health. These nutrients are found in foods like egg yolks, dairy, oily fish, and vegetables.
4. Grey Hair: Premature greying may indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency, which is vital for red blood cell production and oxygen transport to hair follicles. It may also be related to a lack of copper, which affects melanin production. Copper can be found in shellfish, nuts, seeds, and chocolate.
5. Bruising Easily: Frequent bruising from light contact might be a sign of low vitamin C, which helps form collagen, or a vitamin K1 deficiency, important for blood clotting. Both vitamins can be obtained from fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Sethi emphasized that most nutrients can be obtained through a balanced diet. Dr. Helen Wall from the UK also advised against excessive reliance on supplements, explaining that whole foods provide essential nutrients, like phytochemicals and fiber, which supplements cannot replicate. Overconsumption of vitamins can be harmful, so moderation is key when considering supplements.