Nutritional Deficiency & it's Symptoms

~Many of us may be deficient in a vitamin / mineral and may not even know it. It's good to know the warning signs so it can be taken care of in a prompt manner. All it takes is a simple blood test from your doctor to find out if you are lacking in anything. ~

-- Dawn

Biotin: Uncommon Dermatitis, eye inflammation, hair loss, loss of muscle control, insomnia, muscle weakness

Calcium: Brittle nails, cramps, delusions, depression, insomnia, irritability, osteoporosis, palpitations, peridontal disease, rickets, tooth decay

Chromium: 90% of diets are deficient Anxiety, fatigue, glucose intolerance, adult-onset diabetes

Copper: 75% of diets deficient; Anemia, arterial damage, depression, diarrhea, fatigue, fragile bones, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, weakness

Essential fatty acids: Very common Diarrhea, dry skin and hair, hair loss, immune impairment, infertility, poor wound healing, premenstrual syndrome, acne, eczema, gall stones, liver degeneration

Folic acid: Average diet contains 60% of RDA; deficient in 100% of elderly in one study; deficient in 48% of adolescent girls; requirement doubles in pregnancy Anemia, apathy, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, neural tube defects in fetus, paranoia, shortness of breath, weakness

Iodine: fatigue, hypothyroidism, weight gain

Iron: Most common mineral deficiency Anemia, brittle nails, confusion, constipation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, inflamed tongue, mouth lesions

Magnesium: 75 to 85% of diets are deficient: Anxiety, confusion, heart attack, hyperactivity, insomnia, nervousness, muscular irritability, restlessness, weakness

Manganese: may be common in women with Atherosclerosis, dizziness, elevated cholesterol, glucose intolerance, hearing loss, loss of muscle control, ringing in ears

Niacin: Commonly deficient in elderly Bad breath, canker sores, confusion, depression, dermatitis, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, memory impairment, muscle weakness, nausea, skin eruptions and inflammation

Pantothenic acid (B5): Abdominal pains, burning feet, depression, eczema, fatigue, hair loss, immune impairment, insomnia, irritability, low blood pressure, muscle spasms, nausea, poor coordination

Potassium: Commonly deficient in elderly, Acne, constipation, depression, edema, excessive water consumption, fatigue, glucose intolerance, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, mental impairment, muscle weakness, nervousness, poor reflexes

Pyridoxine (B6): 71% of male and 90% of female diets deficient Acne, anemia, arthritis, eye inflammation, depression, dizziness, facial oiliness, fatigue, impaired wound healing, irritability, loss of appetite, loss of hair, mouth lesions, nausea

Riboflavin: Deficient in 30% of elderly, Britons Blurred vision, cataracts, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, hair loss, inflamed eyes, mouth lesions, nervousness, neurological symptoms (numbness, loss of sensation, "electric shock" sensations), seizures. sensitivity to light, sleepiness, weakness

Selenium: Growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, increased incidence of cancer, pancreatic insufficiency (inability to secrete adequate amounts of digestive enzymes), immune impairment, liver impairment, male sterility

Thiamin: Commonly deficient in elderly, Confusion, constipation, digestive problems, irritability, loss of appetite, memory loss, nervousness, numbness of hands and feet, pain sensitivity, poor coordination, weakness

Vitamin A: 20% of diets deficient, Acne, dry hair, fatigue, growth impairment, insomnia, hyperkeratosis (thickening and roughness of skin), immune impairment, night blindness, weight loss

Vitamin B-12: Anemia, constipation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, intestinal disturbances, headaches, irritability, loss of vibration sensation, low stomach acid, mental disturbances, moodiness, mouth lesions, numbness, spinal cord degeneration

Vitamin C: 20 to 50% of diets are deficient, Bleeding gums, depression, easy bruising, impaired wound healing, irritability, joint pains, loose teeth, malaise, tiredness.

Vitamin D: 62% of elderly women's diets are deficient, burning sensation in mouth, diarrhea, insomnia, myopia, nervousness, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, rickets, scalp sweating

Vitamin E: 23% of male and 15% of female diets deficient Gait disturbances, poor reflexes, loss of position sense, loss of vibration sense, shortened red blood cell life

Vitamin K: Deficiency in pregnant women and newborns common Bleeding disorders

Zinc: 68% of diets are deficient, acne, amnesia, apathy, brittle nails, delayed sexual maturity, depression, diarrhea, eczema, fatigue, growth impairment, hair loss, high cholesterol levels, immune impairment, impotence, irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of sense of taste, low stomach acid, male infertility, memory impairment, night blindness, paranoia, white spots on nails, wound healing impairment

(Source: Total Wellness by Joseph Pizzorno, ND )