Top 10 Bizarre Ways Your Body Reacts to Nutrient Deficiencies

Top 10 Bizarre Ways Your Body Reacts to Nutrient Deficiencies

Sometimes our bodies have interesting ways of expressing themselves. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for top 10 weird signs you’re not getting enough nutrients.



For this list, we’ll be looking at bizarre ways your body reacts to certain nutrient deficiencies. We’ll also give some of the reasons why these happen and some tasty food options that may help. If you think you suffer from a deficiency however, make sure you talk to your doctor, as this isn’t meant as a tool for self-diagnosis or for providing treatment.

#10: Bleeding Gums

Vitamin K

Is your dentist constantly telling you that your gums wouldn’t bleed as much if you would just floss more? Well, there is a slight chance that your dental hygiene routine isn’t the problem. Vitamin K helps your body with a number of things from your bones to your blood. It has a big role in blood clotting, so those who are deficient may experience heavier bleeding in unusual areas, like gums. Vitamin K is found in a lot of foods, especially veggies. The deficiency is most common in babies, which is why they usually get a vitamin k injection soon after birth.

#9: Pale Complexion

Iron

Does no amount of tanning give you that healthy glow? Well, you may just need some iron in your life. Although it's most noticeable on people with lighter skin tones, red blood cells are what gives skin its healthy hue. When those cells are sickly, they get smaller and start losing their color, which reflects in your complexion. The poor little guys also have a hard time getting to the feet and hands, making you feel cold all the time. Iron is found in a lot of different foods and in different food groups, so even the pickiest eaters can find a source of iron they like!

#8: Cracked, Sore Lips

Riboflavin

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, does a lot for the body. Like a little-nutritious superhero, it is an unsung protector. B2 has antioxidant properties that protect your body from bad cells and it protects fatty acids that keep our skin nice and moisturized. Without enough riboflavin, your skin can suffer, causing dry lips and painful sores to develop. Some of the best sources of the vitamin are eggs, dairy and whole grains. And even though riboflavin can be found in alcohol, especially beer, too much alcohol is never a good thing.

#7: Pins & Needles in Hands/Feet

B Vitamins

You know that feeling you get when you’ve been sitting on your leg too long? Now imagine that feeling all the time. This discomfort could be a reality if you are missing out on your B vitamins, especially B12. These Bs are responsible for keeping our nerves nice and healthy. Since the body doesn’t store or produce B-vitamins, it’s important to get them into our diet. It can be found in animal products, soy products and fortified breakfast cereals. In order for B12 to be absorbed you need plenty of stomach acid, so make sure to avoid antacids if you have the tingles.

#6: Night Blindness

Vitamin A

Remember when your parents used to say that eating carrots would help you see better? Well, they weren’t wrong! Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, which keeps your corneas healthy. There are even studies that have shown that using Vitamin A based drops can help treat dry eyes. Now don’t get us wrong, eating vitamin A will not give you night vision, but it can help your eyes adjust better to light changes. If you’re not a fan of carrots, and the possibility of turning orange, you can also try sweet potatoes or kale.

#5: Acne & Spots

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It seems like there are a lot of things going against our skin. Between hormones, stress and certain foods, it feels almost impossible to have perfect skin. Another factor is proper nutrition. Just like eating greasy foods will cause acne, not getting enough nutrients will do the same. Omega-3 is anti-inflammatory, so it can prevent acne from happening - and treat it. Fish is one of the best sources of omega-3. If you’re not a fan of seafood, taking daily supplements is also a great way to keep your skin happy.

#4: Nosebleeds

Vitamin C

Nosebleeds are messy, embarrassing and pretty scary. They seem to come out of nowhere and their cause can be somewhat of a mystery. Luckily, a simple answer to many nosebleed sufferers is they aren’t getting enough vitamin C. Vitamin C keeps the blood vessels in our nose strong; the stronger they are the less they burst. But Vitamin C can also affect your hair. Just like your blood vessels, Vitamin C is essential for hair's strength and thickness. To get lush hair and avoid nosebleeds, make sure to incorporate citrusy fruits and green veggies into your diet!

#3: Short-Term Memory Loss

Thiamine (B1)

Nutrients really can affect every aspect of our body, even the mind. Thiamine, or B-1, is found mostly in the brain. It helps make neurotransmitters, which are the messengers that communicate between our brain and the rest of our body. There are great sources of brain food out there like fortified breakfast cereals, trout and potatoes with the skin. A thiamine deficiency can indicate other forms of illness, like diabetes or even heart failure. But if you frequently suffer from memory loss and confusion, you should not settle for vitamins alone, and definitely consider talking to your doctor.

#2: Slow Heal Time

Protein

If you notice that your cuts and scrapes take an obnoxiously long time to heal, you could have a protein problem. When we get injured, our bodies need a lot more protein to heal, since protein repairs damaged tissue. If you are majorly injured or go through surgery, it might be a good idea to take supplements in the form of tasty shakes! The nice thing about this one is that protein is an entire food group, which means a lot of food options. If you want to go to the extreme, you can even drink raw eggs... or settle for a bag of peanuts.





Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.



Brittle Nails

Biotin (Vitamin B7)



Dry Skin

Omega-3 Fatty Acids



Gray Hair

Vitamin D

#1: Craving Dirt
Iron

No matter what your diet is, or what your standards are, if your body needs something it’s going to get it. Even if it means making you eat dirt. While not the tastiest thing to eat, the earth is full of minerals and metals. Another craving someone with an iron deficiency might have is for clay and ice. We don’t recommend giving into the dirt craving. Instead try spinach, oatmeal and cooked octopus! Women in general, but pregnant women especially need to watch out for iron deficiency, since they need to double their iron intake.