Everyone knows that vitamins and minerals are important for maintaining good health. But what many people may not know is that when we don’t have enough of these important nutrients, we can experience a host of symptoms. Micronutrients play an important role in so many processes in our bodies, and the symptoms we experience can range from subtle to severe. Oftentimes, it’s easy to confuse the symptoms of malnutrition with something else, like sleep or aging.
At Balance Hormone Center, we help everyone achieve the nutrient levels they need for good health through comprehensive tests and assessments that help patients understand nutritional deficiencies. This list is a brief overview of the common symptoms you may experience due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. See if any of them sound familiar.
Pulling or contracting a muscle
We all know that calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth, but did you know that this mineral also plays a role in normal nerve and muscle function? Low calcium can cause muscle weakness, involuntary twitching (especially around the face and mouth), and even irregular heartbeat and heart rhythms. Of course, low calcium levels increase the risk of fractures.
Fatigue and weakness
Fatigue or a general feeling of being “worn out” is a common symptom associated with a variety of nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D, iron, and magnesium deficiencies. Like calcium, vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscles. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be very vague, such as muscle aches and general fatigue. Low iron levels are another common cause of fatigue, and too low levels can lead to a condition called anemia, which occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to other parts of your body. Pale skin is another symptom of anemia and iron deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, irregular heart rhythms, and even seizures.
Numbness and cramps
Potassium is an important mineral that helps your nerves, heart, and muscles function properly. When your potassium levels are low, you may experience numbness or tingling sensations, muscle weakness, constipation, or irregular heart rhythms. Low potassium levels are common in people who take diuretics, are very active or sweat a lot.