|
This list has been compiled by Dr Patrick Kingsley - so thank you Patrick! I have added in a few of my own.
Symptoms are actually better indicators of nutritional deficiency than signs - indeed a BMJ article pointed out that 80% of diagnoses are made on the history, 6% on signs and 6% on investigations (although they didn't say how the other 8% was accounted for!) Anyhow, the following can be pointers to deficiencies, but they do not apply in all cases.
HANDS cold hands - magnesium deficiency
NAILS white spots - zinc deficiency ridges - zinc deficiency soft or brittle nails - magnesium deficiency bitten nails - general mineral deficiency
SKIN stretch marks - zinc deficiency follicular hyperkeratosis - vitamin A deficiency spontaneous bleeds - vitamins C or K or platelet deficiency dry scaly skin with hair follicles plugged with coiled distorted hairs and a red halo - vitamin C deficiency yellow palms - excessive beta carotene intake pimply rough skin at the back of the upper arms "chicken skin" - essential fatty acid deficiency
MOUTH pale fissured tongue - iron deficiency sore painful fissured tongue - vitamin B3 deficiency sore burning tongue and lips and peeling of lips - vitamin B2 deficiency swollen tongue with lateral teeth indentations - food intolerance painful sore tongue with a smooth appearance - folic acid deficiency cracked lips - vitamin B2 deficiency, thrush
GUMS pyorrhoea - Co Q 10 deficiency bleeding gums - vitamin C deficiency
SKIN OF FACE greasy red scaly skin of face and sides of nose - vitamin B2 deficiency seborrhoeic dermatitis around nose and an acne like forehead rash - vitamin B6 deficiency
EYES cataracts - chromium deficiency or excess free radicals bags or dark rings under eyes - allergies or food intolerances blue eyes and blond hair are often found in hyperactive male children - zinc magnesium, B6 and essential fatty acids deficiencies blue eyes and premature grey hair - vitamin B12 deficiency - a feature of pernicious anaemia
THROAT thyroid swelling - iodine deficiency
HEART any problem with the heart, including irregular beat, high blood pressure, cardiomegaly - magnesium and Co Q 10 deficiencies and sensitivity to caffeine
LEGS tender calf muscles - magnesium deficiency brisk knee reflexes - magnesium deficiency
The following problems can suggest particular deficiencies or allergies: Nasal polyps - salicylate sensitivity Catarrh, sinusitis, history of removal of tonsils or adenoids - milk intolerance Poor healing - zinc deficiency Can't remember dreams - vitamin B6 deficiency Sugar craving, blood sugar swings, low blood sugar - chromium deficiency, carbohydrate intolerance and gut fermentation syndrome Pre-menstrual syndrome - magnesium, zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies Glandular fever - inadequate liver detoxification mechanisms Sensory symptoms - B12, B1, magnesium deficiencies Mental symptoms - any B vitamin deficiency! Allergies, toxic stress. Cervical dysplasia - vitamin B6 and folic acid deficiency Cervical papilloma/wart virus - heals well with DMSO on the end of a tampax Arthritis - Boron and sulphur (MSM) deficiency Measles - vitamin A deficiency Persistent diarrhoea leading to fatigue - magnesium and potassium deficiencies Many diuretics cause magnesium and potassium deficiencies Muscle cramps - magnesium deficiency Shaking hands - magnesium and vitamin B1 deficiencies Hypertension - magnesium deficiency Dysphagia - magnesium deficiency Sensitivity to light - magnesium deficiency Osteoporosis - don't forget to think about magnesium High blood pressure in pregnancy - magnesium deficiency Hair loss - thyroid, iron stores (must measure serum ferritin), biotin, zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies Frequent colds - zinc and vitamin C deficiencies Infertility, miscarriages and premature labour - zinc deficiency Poor sense of smell and taste - zinc deficiency Poor vision or night blindness - zinc and vitamin A deficiencies Dry eyes - vitamin A deficiency The contraceptive pill and HRT can cause an increase in copper levels and zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 deficiencies Blocked nose with red wine - molybdenum deficiency Any cancer or family history of cancer - selenium deficiency Mercury amalgams in teeth - selenium and glutathione deficiencies Cardiomyopathies (Keshan Disease) - selenium deficiency Heart attacks - vitamin E deficiency (Shute brothers) Hair loss, dandruff, eczema, excessive ear wax production, poor wound healing, excessive thirst (especially in hyperactive children), pre-menstrual symptoms of any sort- essential fatty acid deficiency Carpal tunnel syndrome - vitamin B6 deficiency Vegans - vitamin B12, zinc and Fe deficiencies Gastrectomy - vitamin B12 and hydrochloric acid deficiencies Diabetic peripheral neuropathy - vitamin B12 deficiency Elderly - low everything, especially vitamin Bs and HCI deficiencies Persistent infections vitamin C and zinc deficiencies |