When Nutritional Deficiencies Can Cause Medical Problems 

If you are deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, you could be experiencing complicating medical conditions. Texas Spine and Sports Therapy can thoroughly assess your current diet and find what nutrients you are deficient in and need more of. Moreover, here’s what you need to know about nutritional deficiencies and the medical issues it can cause. 

As humans, we thrive on a vast variety of different foods. However, modern take out and fast food allows many people to exist on unhealthy processed items that don’t contain the nutrients they need. While we might love pizza, the body isn’t made to thrive off of it alone. People of all ages struggle with vitamin deficiencies, and the best way to catch them is by investing in a professional nutritional assessment to adjust your diet before serious issues arise.

Signs of Nutritional Deficiencies 

Around 92% of the population suffers from at least one mineral or vitamin deficiency. Fast, convenient meals are a go-to for many people with our fast-paced lifestyles. However, this can have serious health implications. If you haven’t been eating a well-rounded diet, you could have a nutritional imbalance for years to come. Common signs of nutritional deficiencies can include:

• Ongoing fatigue that keeps you from feeling rested
• Constipation or recurring diarrhea
• Blood sugar levels that fluctuate greatly throughout the day
• Low grade aches and pains with no other cause
• Lowered immune system leaving you susceptible to illnesses
• Irritability, depression, and other mood issues
• Obesity and excess weight
• Dizziness, headaches, migraines, and brain fog
• Daily heartburn with no other cause 

Common Nutritional Deficiencies 

Some nutritional deficiencies are common amongst many people. Healthline lists the top seven most common nutrient deficiencies to be:

Iron

This is a large component of red blood cells that binds with hemoglobin and transports oxygen to your cells. Dietary iron includes two types: heme iron and nonheme iron. This deficiency affects more than 25% of people worldwide. The best dietary sources or iron include red meat, beans, and dark leafy greens. 

Iodine

This is an essential mineral for normal thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones. This deficiency affects over 1/3 of the world’s population. As a result, it can cause an enlarged thyroid gland, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and weight gain. The best sources of iodine include fish, dairy, and eggs. 

Vitamin D

This is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions like a steroid hormone in the body. It travels through your bloodstream and into cells. Almost every cell in the body has a receptor for this vitamin. Almost 50% of people are deficient in vitamin D. Symptoms of this deficiency include muscle weakness and bone loss. It can be added to your diet by eating egg yolks, fatty fish, and cod liver oil. 

Vitamin B12

This is essential for blood formation, brain function, and nerve function. If you don’t have enough of this vitamin, you could suffer from impaired brain function and elevated homocysteine levels, which puts you at risk for several diseases. The best sources of vitamin B12 include shellfish, meat, eggs, and milk products. 

Calcium

This mineralizes bones and teeth and is important for bone maintenance. The most common signs of this deficiency include soft bones and osteoporosis. The best dietary sources of calcium include boned fish, dairy products, and dark green veggies. 

Vitamin A

This helps form and maintain healthy skin. There are two different types of dietary vitamin A: preformed vitamin A (found in meat, fish, poultry, and dairy, and pro-vitamin (found in plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables). 

Magnesium

This is essential for bone and teeth structure. Low intake could cause conditions like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Further, to add this to your diet, try eating whole grains, nuts, dark chocolate, and dark green veggies.

The Nutritional Assessment 

When you come in for your nutritional assessment, we will use a number of different testing methods to help give you the big picture about your food-related health. We will test your body to reveal deficiencies in a number of different vitamins and minerals. During the assessment, we will also learn about your medical history to see if any past or current conditions are blocking absorption of crucial minerals and nutrients. If you are on certain medications, you might also need to begin supplementing certain vitamins and minerals to prevent serious health issues from occurring. 

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy 

Our dietary plans are tailored to your exact needs and include both whole food sources and supplements. Knowing this, if you think you might have a nutritional deficiency, or if you just want to catch any potential problems before they begin, make an appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center today. Call us now for an appointment at (512)-806-0015.