Hair Loss & Fatigue: Nutrient Deficiencies as Red Flags

Getting enough nutrients is not easy. This is especially true for older people. You may not be as active as you were when you were younger, so you may need fewer calories.

However, research suggests that older people may need more of certain key nutrients, such as B vitamins and calcium. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition can persist for a long time before manifesting themselves as physical signs or symptoms.

Eating unhealthy food for a day or a week won’t do much harm. However, when the nutrients our body needs are lacking due to an incorrect diet, a signal appears from the body.

In this case, nutrition must be supplemented through food or nutritional supplements containing the missing nutrients. So what are the signals that our body sends that it is lacking nutrients? We conducted research based on data from the American health and medical media outlet ‘WebMD’.

I am suffering from unexplainable fatigue.=If you are not tired for general reasons such as not sleeping well, being stressed, or being sick, you may be lacking vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight. If you find it difficult to get sunlight often, try supplementing with fortified foods such as tuna, salmon, milk, or cereal. Alternatively, you can consult your doctor and take supplements.

Hair falls out a lot, becomes brittle and dry=It is normal for about 100 strands of hair to fall out per day. However, if your hair falls out in clumps, it may be a sign of iron deficiency. Iron is the nutrient most commonly deficient. You can find out through a blood test.

Foods rich in iron include lean beef, poultry, spinach, beans, and cashews. Additionally, if an older person’s hair appears brittle, dry, and sparse, this can often be a sign of protein deficiency.

Dead skin cells appear on the skin=One of the jobs of vitamin A is to grow and maintain the tissues that cover all surfaces inside and outside our bodies. When you lack vitamin A, your skin can become dry and scaly. Vitamin A is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots, and orange fruits such as melons and apricots.

My fingernails are shaped like spoons=If your body lacks iron, your nails may become thin and curved on the outside, forming a spoon-like shape. In these cases, the exact cause must be diagnosed at a hospital. In infants, their fingernails are spoon-shaped when they are young, but they disappear as they grow older.

The corners of my mouth are split.=At first, the skin around the mouth becomes dry or irritated, but later it can become painful and bloody. There are various causes, but symptoms may also occur due to a lack of B vitamins such as riboflavin or iron. Foods rich in riboflavin include eggs, lean meat, milk, and green vegetables such as asparagus and broccoli.

I become numb.=Lack of nutrients affects not only the body but also the mind. Folic acid, a member of the B vitamin group, helps the body make red blood cells and chemicals that regulate sleep patterns and mood. If you don’t consume enough, you may feel lightheaded, weak, and numb. Foods containing folic acid include fortified cereals, chickpeas, asparagus, and spinach.

I bruise easily=Our body has more collagen than any other protein. If you bruise more easily than usual, you may be lacking vitamin C, a major component of collagen. Deficiency can occur if you have an eating disorder, eat too little due to a medical condition, have a serious digestive condition, or smoke. Eat fruits and vegetables, especially green peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli.

My tongue feels like it’s burning=Symptoms in which the tongue or oral mucosa feels like it is burning for no particular reason, or the mouth is dry and the sensation is abnormal is called burning mouth syndrome. One of the causes of this symptom is a deficiency of B vitamins such as folic acid, thiamine, and B6. Foods that can provide vitamin B6 include beans, bananas, spinach, and fortified cereals.

Q1. How do nutrient deficiencies occur?

A1. Nutrient deficiencies can occur primarily due to an unbalanced diet, certain diseases, malabsorption, or taking certain medications. Insufficient nutrients can affect various body functions and cause various symptoms.

Q2. What happens if nutrient deficiencies are severe?

A2. Long-term nutrient deficiencies can have serious effects on body function. For example, severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia, and vitamin D deficiency can cause bone weakness or osteoporosis. Severe cases require professional treatment and supplementation.

Q3. How do I diagnose a nutrient deficiency?

A3. To diagnose a nutrient deficiency, a blood test or other diagnostic test can determine which nutrient you are missing. If you suspect you have symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a medical professional and undergo appropriate testing.