What our health looks like depends on our nutritional status. Nutrients come from our environment - minerals are in our soils, which feed our plants, that animals eat. When we eat plants and meat we are absorbing those nutrients. The nutrients enter our body cells and can be stored, activated or change the pH. From here nutrients can do two things:
Perform a function (a positive outcome)
Display a symptom (a negative outcome) which is the body crying out for attention.
Nutrient deficiencies can occur for several reasons as discussed below.
Reasons Nutrient Deficiencies may occur
What do our symptoms mean? Symptoms can be generated based on the body crying out for attention from nutrient deficiencies for the following reasons:
1. There is a lack of the nutrient (malabsorption) - the nutrient has to get from our gut to our blood stream.
There may be:
Low levels from food choices
Low levels from soils
Reduced time for absorption if you have loose stools from fast bowel movements
There may be a reduced villi surface area in small intestine to absorb nutrients. In Coeliac Disease, for example.
You may have reduced levels of Hydrochloric Acid and/or Digestive Enzymes to begin the breakdown of our food
You may have an imbalance of microbiome
Medications may be interacting
2. There may be poor tissue uptake - the nutrient has to get from the bloodstream to our tissue cells
There may be blockages across the cell membrane. Symptoms will show up highlighting this. For example:
If glucose can't get into our cells (due to Insulin Resistance), we will ultimately see Diabetes developing.
If magnesium can't get into our muscle cells, we will see muscle cramps.
Mercury (from dental amalgams) can be a big blocker here of nutrients.
3. There may be enhanced loss of the nutrient where the tissue is bypassed
Trace elements get absorbed from the small intestine and head to the liver via the portal vein. If bile excretion is intense, they may get excreted straight out of the body from fast bowel motions.
4. Nutrients may get blocked
For example, you may have adequate levels of iron, yet if you have heavy metals present, or parasites, the iron may be blocked or sequestered so you may appear iron deficient.
Common Nutrient Deficiencies described
1. Iron deficiency
Needed for haemoglobin (Hb) inside our Red Blood Cells (RBC) to transport oxygen around our body. Do you feel tired and lethargic?
2. Iodine deficiency
Needed for our thyroid gland to work optimally. Are you tired, feel like your metabolism doesn't work efficiently?
3. Vitamin D deficiency
Is produced from cholesterol and acts as a hormone regulating so many processes in our body. Signs are not always obvious, but weakness and tiredness are signs.
4. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Often our brain doesn't function as it normally does when we are deficient, as it may cause megaloblastic, macrocytic anaemia. Importantly our Homocysteine may rise, which may predispose to cardiovascular issues.
5. Calcium deficiency
The cause is hotly debated, and it is best to obtain calcium from food sources. Rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults can occur.
6. Vitamin A deficiency
Immunity issues and eyesight can be affected, especially night vision.
7. Magnesium deficiency
Many, many, many issues with Magnesium deficiency!! Magnesium deficiency is linked to other deficiencies. A very important mineral to stay on top of! For me personally, I think a lot of health issues can be corrected with magnesium.
8. Zinc Deficiency
No taste, or smell, or hunger, feeling sluggish, burping, farting, moody, depressed, acne, and the list goes on. The competition between zinc, iron and copper is intricate.
9. Vitamin C Deficiency
Bleeding gums, wounds are slow to heal, with smokers and heavy alcohol drinkers most at risk.
10. Vitamin B Complex Deficiency
Vitamin B1 deficiency (Thiamin) can cause Beriberi
Vitamin B2 deficiency (Riboflavin) can impact iron absorption and Vitamin B6 conversion to its active format
Vitamin B3 deficiency (Niacin) can cause Pellagra
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) can result in burning feet syndrome
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) can result in amino acid metabolism being affected
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) skin rashes, brittle nails and thinning hair may occur
Vitamin B9 (Folate) can cause megaloblastic, macrocytic anaemia (like Vitamin B12 deficiency)
Obtaining sufficient nutrients is so important for optimal health. A lot of deficiencies will result in similar symptoms and tiredness, weakness and other general symptoms which can be hard to pinpoint. See additional blogs on my website for further detailed information on deficiencies.
If you would like to discuss your personal circumstances, or have your nutrient status from your pathology results reviewed in line with your current situation, feel free to make a booking with me on the bookings tab on my website.
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References:
Hidden J & Drake V, (2012), An Evidence-based Approach to Vitamins and Minerals, 2nd Ed, Thieme
DrTisDigital, (2015),Visual Textbook of Nutritional Medicine
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