23 Signs Your Body Needs More Nutrients: How to Address the Deficiencies

Summary

The video discusses 23 signs of nutrient deficiencies in the body, attributing them to three main causes: poor gut health, lack of gallbladder or bile, and consumption of nutrient-poor foods or refined sugars. It highlights symptoms such as white spots on nails, oily skin, and cracked heels, and suggests solutions like zinc intake, reducing sugar, and consuming nutrient-dense foods. The importance of vitamins A, B, C, D, and K, along with minerals like iron and potassium, is emphasized to address these deficiencies and improve overall health.

Takeaways

• 📉 Gut health is crucial for nutrient absorption; damage can lead to deficiencies.
• 🥗 Consuming nutrient-poor foods or refined sugars can deplete essential vitamins and minerals.
• 🍼 White spots on nails may indicate zinc deficiency, often due to high sugar intake.
• 🍔 Oily skin can be a sign of imbalanced androgens, which zinc can help regulate.
• 🗣️ Cracked corners of the mouth or heels may point to a B-vitamin deficiency.
• 🥦 Flaking skin around the nose or forehead could be due to an omega-3 and omega-6 imbalance.
• 🟠 Yellow eyes may signify liver or gallbladder issues, often related to bile salt deficiency.
• 🗣️ A chronic cough can sometimes be alleviated with calcium, indicating a possible deficiency.
• 🦷 Bleeding or swollen gums are classic signs of vitamin C deficiency.
• 🌙 Night vision issues can be a sign of vitamin A deficiency, or night blindness.
• 👄 Chapped lips, like mouth cracks, can be a result of vitamin B2 deficiency.

Q & A

What are the three main reasons for nutrient deficiencies?

The three main reasons for nutrient deficiencies are damaged guts leading to poor absorption, lack of gallbladder or bile preventing the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and consuming foods that are not nutrient-dense or are refined and sugary, which deplete nutrients.

What does a white spot on the nail indicate and what are the causes?

A white spot on the nail indicates a zinc deficiency, which is often caused by consuming too much sugar that robs the body of zinc. This can happen after consuming a lot of refined carbohydrates or sugary foods.

How can oily skin be addressed nutritionally?

Oily skin can be improved by taking trace minerals, specifically zinc, which helps regulate androgens. It's also important to control sugar intake, as high sugar levels can contribute to androgen imbalance.

What nutrients are commonly deficient in people with cracking on the corners of their mouth or back of their heels?

Cracking on the corners of the mouth or back of the heels is commonly associated with deficiencies in vitamin B2 and B3. These B vitamins are crucial for preventing small fissures on the skin.

What dietary changes can be made to address flaking skin around the nose or forehead?

To address flaking skin, one should reduce the intake of omega-6 fatty acids found in nuts, peanut butter, fried foods, and processed oils like corn and soy oil. Instead, increase the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fish, sardines, and cod liver oil.

What is the connection between vitamin D and cracked heels or corners of the mouth?

Vitamin D is essential for the health of microbes that produce B vitamins. A deficiency in vitamin D, often due to lack of sun exposure, can lead to a decrease in these microbes and subsequently a deficiency in B vitamins, resulting in cracked skin.

How can a chronic cough be alleviated nutritionally?

A chronic cough can be alleviated by supplementing with calcium, which improves the immune system and relaxes the throat and larynx. Calcium lactate is recommended, taken in small amounts before bedtime.

What nutrient is commonly deficient in those with bleeding or swollen gums?

Bleeding or swollen gums are a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Increasing the intake of leafy greens and reducing sugar consumption can help address this issue, as sugar can interfere with the absorption of vitamin C.

Why does night vision issues indicate a vitamin A deficiency?

Night vision issues, or night blindness, indicate a vitamin A deficiency because vitamin A, specifically its active form retinol, is essential for the proper functioning of the photoreceptor cells in the eyes. A lack of vitamin A can impair these cells, leading to difficulty seeing in low light conditions.

What is the recommended source of vitamin A for those who have difficulty converting plant-based precursors?

For those who have difficulty converting plant-based precursors of vitamin A, such as beta-carotene, into the active form, it is recommended to consume animal-based sources of retinol, which is the active form of vitamin A. These sources include dairy products, butter, fatty fish, cod liver oil, and egg yolks.

How can chapped lips be addressed aside from using lip balms or lotions?

Chapped lips can be addressed by addressing the underlying cause, which is often a vitamin B2 deficiency. This can be done by reducing the intake of refined grains, which deplete B2, and by supplementing with nutritional yeast, which provides a complete spectrum of B vitamins.