NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Vitamin C Three forms Ascorbic acid Mineral ascorbate (magnesium or calcium ascorbate); this is alkaline or buffered C Ascorbyl palmitate

(fat soluble form) Fatigue (anemia)



Irritability



Infections



Weak, bulging walls of arteries (aneurysm, usually smokers)



Gallstones



WEAK CAPILLARIES Bleeding gums Bleeding, back of eyes (retina) Easy skin bruising Burst blood vessels on back of hands (ecchymoses) Hemorrhage (red eyes, brain hemorrhage) Hemorrhoids Varicose veins; spider veins



Peripheral neuropathy (pain in legs when walking) Note: smoking tobacco depletes vitamin C May indicate lack of stomach acid and/or H pylori infection

Restless leg syndrome due to anemia (vitamin C as ascorbic acid increases iron absorption from foods)

Vitamin B1 Note: Benfotiamine is fat soluble form that is better absorbed Grey hair

Chronic bowel movements (irritable bowel)

Pain (fibromyalgia)

Numbness (neuropathy)

Heart failure; irregular heart beat

Horizontal eyelid twitches (nystagmus)

Note: alcohol, coffee, tea, sugar depletes B1

May indicate lack of stomach acid and/or H pylori infection

Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin is preferred from in dietary supplements Short-term memory loss

Sore tongue

Burning feet

Back ache

Fatigue

Chronic cough

Dizziness when rising from sitting position (postural hypotension)

May indicate lack of stomach acid and/or H pylori infection

Vitamin A Cod liver oil is natural source Note: beta carotene converts to vitamin A when combined with dietary fat Eyelids crusty or stuck together upon awakening in AM

(lack of mucin in tear film

(lack of mucin in tear film Recurrent infections

Night vision problems- may also indicate need for zinc

Photophobia (eye discomfort in sun)

Loss of smell, taste, appetite

Depression

Vitamin D Note: diet cannot provide adequate vitamin D Weak immune system- infections

Soft bones

Dental caries

Loss of muscle tone (balance)

Mental depression (winter blues)Note: may indicate lack of sunlight, overuse of sunscreens

Omega-6 GLA oils Evening primrose oil

Borage oil

Black currant seed oil DRYNESS Dry skin (rough elbows)

Dry eyes (redness, itching, burning, watery)

Contact lens discomfort

Dry hair (dandruff)

Brittle nails

Dry mouth (Sjogrens’ syndrome)

Post-nasal drip/cough due to watery tear flow

Iron Ferronyl (carbonyl) iron is only source that should be used; less nausea and constipation; safe in event of overdose Fatigue

Craving for acidic foods (tomatoes taste good)

Craving for ice chips

Pale skin

Short of breath climbing stairs, high altitutde

Pain behind the eyes or forehead (frontal headache)

Sleeplessness (insomnia)

Dry hair (dandruff)

May indicate lack of stomach acid and/or H pylori infection

Restless leg syndrome (uncontrollable leg kicking in bed at night)

May indicate lack of stomach acid and/or H pylori infection

Magnesium Magnesium oxide is only 4% absorbed; obtain other forms- magnesium malate, orotate, citrate, gluconate, threonate, etc. Craving for chocolate

Migraine headaches

Constipation (too much calcium)

Uncontrolled eyelid twitching (blepharospasm)- usually accompanied by dry eye

Premature ejaculation

Muscle cramping

Fatigue, low energy, heart failure

Anxiety associated with menstrual period

Kidney stones

Excessive calcium intake

Some cases of restless leg syndrome

Zinc Zinc methionine (Optizinc) is best absorbed Atrial fibrillation

Diarrhea

Lack of appetite

Recurrent eruptive herpes sores (lip, shingles, Bells Palsy)- usually triggered by direct exposure to sun or high arginine foods (nuts, gelatin, chocolate)

Hair loss

Loss of sense of smell, taste

Poor wound healing

White spots on fingernails

Skin problems (eczema, psoriasis)

Impotence

Crohn’s disease

Warts

Low sperm count

Dyslexia (zinc shortage during pregnancy)

Growth retardation in children