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6 common body issues could be caused by nutrient deficiencies, from back pain to hair thinning
If you’ve ever suffered from menstrual cramps, hair thinning or other body issues, it could be due to a nutrient deficiency.
There is evidence to suggest that not getting enough of a certain vitamin or mineral can lead to several common health problems.
6 body issues that could be caused by nutrient deficiencies
Speaking on TikTok, Dr. Eric Berg, a qualified chiropractor who is now a renowned expert in health and wellness, explained some common symptoms and the nutritional deficiency they are linked to.
1. Fibroids and Endometriosis – Vitamin D
Firstly, fibroids and endometriosis could be caused by a severe Vitamin D deficiency. Fibroids are�non-cancerous growths that develop in the womb, while endometriosis is where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
One study in the Casbian Journal of Internal Medicine gave patients with uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) Vitamin D and found that the size of the growths significantly decreased in comparison to the placebo group.
Another study of 3,232 women with endometriosis in PLOS ONE found that 46% of them had insufficient levels of Vitamin D. Endometriosis is associated with inflammation and Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Menstrual cramps – Magnesium
Next up, people who suffer from severe menstrual cramps may have a Magnesium deficiency. The mineral has many uses in the body including keeping bones strong, blood pressure normal and heart rhythm steady.
It could also ease period pains by relaxing the muscles in the uterus and reducing inflammatory prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that affect many bodily functions including uterine contractions, Bupa UK explains.
3. Lower back pain – Vitamin D
If you have chronic lower back pain, some studies suggest that could also be due to a Vitamin D deficiency. We get most of our Vitamin D from the sun, but it’s also in some foods including fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese and mushrooms.
A�2018 study in the Anesthesia journal analyzed 98 adults aged 18-70 with lower back pain and found that 85.7% of them had a Vitamin D deficiency. There was also a link between lower Vitamin D and more severe pain.
4. Tingling in the toes – Vitamin B1
Next up, tingling in your toes has been linked to not getting enough Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in your diet. It’s needed for the body to break down energy from food and is found in peas, nuts, wholegrain breads, bananas, oranges and liver.
Beriberi,�a deficiency of thiamine, can cause tingling, a loss of feeling in the hands and feet and a loss of muscle function in the lower legs, MedlinePlus reveals. However, a thiamine deficiency is rare.
5. Cracked corners of the mouth – Vitamin B2
A Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency can cause cracked lips and corners of the mouth that have trouble healing, Healthline explains. Sore lips can also be a sign of other B Vitamin deficiencies, as well as low levels of Zinc or Iron.
Vitamin B1 keeps the skin, eyes and nervous system healthy while also helping the body release energy from food, the NHS reveals. It can be founds in milk, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals, mushrooms and plain yogurt.
6. Thinning hair – Biotin
Finally, if your hair is thinning, you could have low levels of Biotin in your body. A 2017 review of previous studies in the Karger journal found that “all cases” of people with hair loss showed evidence of clinical improvement after being given Biotin.
Another 2017 study in the International Journal of Trichology found that 38% of women complaining of hair loss had a Biotin deficiency. Good sources of Biotin are yeast, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, avocados and egg yolks.
