Weird signs that you might have a vitamin deficiency

Our bodies are pretty incredible. When certain things are out of balance, we’ll see physical signs and symptoms, which is Mother Nature’s way of trying to help, so the least we can do is listen!

Most of us will experience one or more of the following symptoms at some point. Read on to find out what they mean...

Paleness 

This is easier to spot if you have a light complexion. If the inside of your lips, gums and bottom of your eyelids are less red than usual, low iron may be to blame. Iron plays a vital role in our health. Without it, many bodily functions would malfunction. Women of childbearing years are at higher risk of being deficient, as are vegans.  

Swollen tongue 

A swelling of the tongue can also be a sign of iron deficiency.  Uncontrollable muscle ‘twitch’ Do you ever experience muscle ‘twitches’? Does your partner complain of nighttime leg jolts or of getting kicked in their sleep?! Low magnesium could be the cause. As magnesium’s secondary body store is in our muscles, cramps, pain and spasms can indicate your bodily stores need replenishing.  

Night sweats 

Waking up in the middle of the night in an uncomfortable, rather unpleasant, sweaty state? This could mean your blood sugar levels are low, also known as hypoglycemia. This can be caused by eating less food than usual during the day or eating the evening meal or snack at a different time than usual, which can affect blood sugar during the night. Excessive exercise, or more exercise than usual, can also cause low blood glucose at night.

Little bumps on the backs of your arms 

Do you have numerous small, rough and little bumps around hair follicles on the back of your upper arms? This could be keratosis pilaris, which can be caused by a lack of vitamin A and essential fatty acids in your diet.

Bleeding gums

If your dentist has ruled our bad dental hygiene and you don’t apply too much pressure when brushing, then your bleeding gums could be a sign of low vitamin C. This vitamin is particularly important for oral health, helping to build strong teeth and gums. It also plays an essential role in collagen synthesis which is needed for all connective tissues, including our gums. 

Did you know...

a simple DNA test can show whether you are predisposed to have trouble absorbing vitamins and minerals? With just a simple cheek swab, you’ll get the full lowdown on which vitamins you need to pay special attention to and also which diet, exercise and lifestyle habits are best suited to your body.  

Get your DNA kit today here