While we notice when something is awry in our body because we feel sick, we may not notice that something is awry when we are feeling healthy.
Have a look at these common symptoms within the body which could be an indication of something that needs your attention:
Dry Hair
Dry, brittle hair with split ends that just looks unhealthy and unhappy can be a sign of several dietary related deficiencies. Vitamin K is important in the formation of healthy hair and can be found in your leafy greens like kale and spinach as well as broccoli and brussels sprouts. Another important component of healthy hair is essential fatty acids and adequate healthy fats in the diet. Good sources of these include avocado, coconut oil, Hemp Hearts, flaxseed and fish oil. Aim to get 1-2 tbsp of healthy fat (or ½ an avocado) every day. Finally, ensure you have adequate protein intake, as this is an important component of being able to grown healthy hair.
White Marks on Nails
White marks on the nails, long striations or flat looking nails could all be physical manifestations of certain dietary deficiencies, which are exhibited through the nails. White dots or lines can be an indicator of calcium deficiency, while the striations will sometimes denote issues with the digestive system. Likewise, oddly shaped nails/cuticles or nails that simply aren’t growing, can be an indication of improper intake of vitamin K, an important vitamin for nail health.
Blemishes on Skin
If you are constantly battling skin breakouts, it may be more than just a bad case of acne. Continuous breakouts are often caused by stress or poor diet, but research has also shown that depending on where they occur on your face, can be an indicator of other problems. For example, breakouts occurring on the forehead can be an indication of problems with the digestive system, while those occurring on the chin point to issues with the small intestine. Often individuals who have regular skin breakouts have issues with their stomach bacteria (overgrowth, or candida) and many antibiotics will simply exasperate the issue. Become familiar with when and where your skin breaks out and if you are seeing it happen chronically, consider seeing a professional.
Difficulty Sleeping
Not sleeping well lately? Having a hard time falling asleep or finding yourself waking up regularly at night? Poor sleep can be an indicator of several different underlying issues. One of the first things you can do is increase your intake of magnesium rich foods, as magnesium deficiency can have an impact on how well you are able to sleep. This includes things like leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, as well as sweet potato. It could also be that your body is not producing enough melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that signals our body to go to sleep, and without it, you will have a hard time settling into your restful sleep state. Boost your melatonin by consuming bananas, pineapple oats and oranges, and spending some time creating a regular sleep and bedtime routine so your body starts to get used to the signals, which indicate it is time to go to sleep!
Low Energy
We all have days with low energy, or that feeling of laziness where we’d rather lay on the couch than do the other 55 things sitting on our to do list. But chronic low energy and lethargy can be a sign of a bigger problem. It may be indicative of a hormone imbalance, or point to digestive issues, or it may simply be that you aren’t fuelling your body properly – either the wrong foods, or not enough food at all. If you are finding yourself experiencing these energy lows, take a look at your diet and lifestyle and see where you can make some changes.
By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)
