Your body needs complete nutrition to be able to run at top performance. Vitamin deficiencies often present symptoms that can be attributed to other health issues. Sometimes medications may be prescribed incorrectly, making the original lack worse than before.
How do you know if you have a vitamin deficiency vs. something that may require medical treatment?
Food cravings are often one of the most obvious signs that you may have a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Your body is designed to know what it needs and to seek to fulfill that need.
Though, some cravings are psychological and are triggered by things like TV commercials, or the scent of food. Psychological cravings, if ignored will dissipate over time. A physical craving will persist.
Some examples of how these deficiencies present themselves
Craving for Sweets: There are several deficiencies that may cause the body to crave sweets – chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur or tryptophan. Answer: Higher quantities of chicken, beef, broccoli, nuts and fresh fruits may help and lessen the urge for sweets.
Chocolate Cravings: Usually indicates a lack of Vitamin B or Magnesium. Answer: Increasing the intake of raw nuts, seeds, beans, and fruits, can curb chocolate cravings. Flaxseed oil is also very helpful.
Alcohol Cravings: Usually indicate deficiencies in substances such as protein, glutamine, avenin, potassium or calcium. Answer: To curb, increase your intake of meat, seafood, poultry, broccoli, granola, and oatmeal.
Iron Deficiency: This is an odd one. Iron deficiency can cause anemia (too few red blood cells), which spurs a craving to eat non-food items such as paper, dirt, and ice, sand or even paint. It is usually prevalent in children and you should contact a physician immediately as eating certain non-food items can be dangerous.
For a complete list of physical manifestations that may be linked to and cured by restoring correct levels of vitamins and minerals, please visit:
Quick reference – If you are missing:
Vitamin A – reduced night vision, night blindness, dry eyes, eye inflammation
Vitamin B1 – Tiredness, irritability, sleep disturbance
Vitamin B2 – Cracked lips, cracked corners of the mouth, sore tongue, and growth slowing in children
Vitamin B6 – Anemia, impaired antibody production, low immunity, convulsions in children
Vitamin B12 – Very pale skin, anemia, pernicious anemia, growth development issues, nerves, hair, skin and metabolism are all affected.
Vitamin C – Weakness, lassitude, swollen gums, nosebleeds, scurvy
Vitamin D – rickets, bone fractures or deformities, osteoporosis, depression, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, muscle cramps and much more
This is just a basic list.
Additionally:
Here is a short list of nutritional deficiencies that can actually be CAUSED BY PHARMACEUTICALS themselves – ****Taking drugs that induce deficiencies of essential nutrients means patients will never get well!****
Vitamin C – Is depleted by cortisone/prednisone, estrogen replacement, aspirin, tobacco, and antacids
Vitamin B1 – Is depleted by Digitalis, diuretics, antibiotics, and antacids
Vitamin B12- Is depleted by antibiotics, antacids
Vitamin D – Is depleted by cortisone/prednisone, cholesterol-lowering drugs
Zinc – Can be depleted by ACE inhibitors (such as Enalapril, lisinopril), cortisone/prednisone, estrogen, antidepressants, antacids
Magnesium – Can also be depleted by Digitalis, antibiotics, diuretics, estrogen, cortisone/prednisone, antacids
Folic Acid- Is depleted by use of aspirin, cortisone/prednisone, metformin anti-diabetic drug, estrogen and antacids.
It may be easier to fix what ails you than originally suspected! Take medications with caution.
Visit the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. for a complete evaluation.