We all know that we should be
consuming vitamins in the foods we
eat, but which are the right ones to
take and where do we get them?
Vitamin or mineral
Deficiency
E
XPERTS HAVE REVEALED THE EVERYDAY
symptoms which could show you have a
vitamin or mineral deficiency, including
cracked lips, headaches and bad breath.
Persistent dandruff, itchy or dry skin, low
mood and even stress could also be signs you
need more of a certain vitamin or mineral in
your diet.
Other issues which could point to a deficiency
include thinning hair, a low libido, white spots
on your nails and tiredness.Spotting the signs
One in 20, based on a recent survey where
over 2,000 adults were polled, believe they
need to be eating krill oil and vegetable oil for a
healthy body, while some even said they thought
kryptonite and kerosene are essential vitamins
and minerals!
And almost 6 in 10 admit they are clueless
about the signs which could show they are
suffering from a mineral deficiency.
Worryingly, almost half of Brits are unaware
that taking medications, antibiotics and even
drinking tea and coffee can all affect how you
absorb vitamins and minerals.
Healthspan’s head of nutrition Rob Hobson
said: “Many of these symptoms are thingspeople put up with every day, thinking they are
just par for the course.
“But often they could be a sign that you are
suffering a vitamin or mineral deficiency and
simply eating foods which contain the item
you are lacking could ease your symptoms.
“For example, a headache could be an
indicator that you need more magnesium,
vitamin B12 and B6 – something you can get
from eating pumpkin seeds, prunes, banana
or fortified soy milk.
“And even bad breath, while a possible
sign of poor oral hygiene, could also be linked
to your gut health and an iron deficiency.
“It’s important to bear in mind that your
ability to absorb vitamins and minerals
can also be affected by medications you
are taking, such as antibiotics or the oral
contraceptive pill, as well as aspects of your
diet such as whether you drink tea or coffee.”
Cracking lips can be a sign of a vitamin
C or iron deficiency, with eating more red
meat, red capiscums, kale and tofu a way of
boosting levels of the vitamins and minerals
in your diet.
Persistent dandruff could be an indicator
you need more biotin or vitamin B7, while
feeling stressed could be a sign you need toconsume more magnesium, zinc or essential
fatty acids.
A magnesium deficiency could also be
indicated by insomnia, PMS or PMT and
restless legs.
Thinning hair could be a result of a mild
iron and vitamin C deficiency and white
spots on the nails could signal a lack of zinc
and iron.
The research found 36% of people have
made a conscious effort to boost their intake
of certain vitamins and minerals because they
felt they were lacking in them, while 28%
have even sought professional help.
And 1 in 5 have suffered from a symptom
or health condition which was caused by a
vitamin or mineral deficiency.Supplements v vitamins?
It also emerged that 41% are currently taking
a supplement, with 68% of those saying they
do so to improve their health.
But almost 1 in 5 have the supplement as
an insurance policy and one in 10 take it for a
‘quick boost.’
British-based Healthspan’s Dr Sarah
Brewer added: “An estimated 40% of UK
adults take at least one dietary supplement,