A recent study reveals that more than half of the world’s population does not consume enough micronutrients essential for health. Here are California gastroenterologist Saurabh Sethi’s five signals to watch for, shared in his video.
The doctor shared five signs on social media that your body is lacking essential nutrients, such as calcium, iron and vitamins C and E.
Signals would be brittle nails, twitching eyelids, cracking joints, premature graying of hair and rapid bruising.
Brittle nails
Gastroenterologist Saurabh Sethi warns in his video that brittle nails indicate a deficiency of protein and iron in the diet.
Nails are primarily composed of keratin, a natural protein. It would therefore be essential to eat plenty of protein to keep nails healthy and strong.
The recommended intake is 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. For a 150-pound person, that’s 54 grams of protein per day.
More common in women than men, brittle nails can be caused by frequent hand washing, using acetone to remove nail polish, living in a cold, dry place, or cause of aging.
Thyroid disorders and anemia are also possibilities.
Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, whole grains and eggs.
Eyelids that twitch
“Twitching of the eyelids or limbs indicates a deficiency of magnesium, which is essential for the transmission of nerve impulses,” explained Dr. Sethi.
Myokymia is the scientific term for the orbicularis oculi, a muscle that surrounds the eye and closes the eyelids, contracting involuntarily.
This disease is linked to stress, fatigue, caffeine consumption, electrolyte imbalance, eye fatigue from long-term computer viewing, certain medications and even brain and nervous system disorders.
Creaking joints
Cracking or clicking knees are common, especially as the body ages. In his video, the gastroenterologist warned that this phenomenon “could be a warning sign of vitamin D3 or calcium deficiency.”
Calcium maintains strong bones, while vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from foods like milk, sardines, and green vegetables.
Premature graying of hair
Premature hair graying occurs when hair turns gray before age 20 in Caucasians and before age 30 in African Americans.
Photo adobe stock
Genetics, autoimmune diseases, pollution, smoking, stress and vitamin deficiencies could be to blame, researchers say.
“This could indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is crucial for the production [de globules rouges] and the transport of oxygen to the hair follicles,” said Sethi. “It could also be a sign of a copper deficiency, which is responsible for the production of melanin, which gives color to hair.”
Rapid and repeated bruising
Some people are more prone to bruising.
“It could mean you’re lacking vitamin C, which is responsible for the formation of collagen,” added Dr. Saurabh Sethi. “It could also mean a deficiency of vitamin K1, which contributes to blood clotting.”
