Your body is an incredible machine. We tend to think that someone else has to prescribe us medicine to make us healthy, but actually your body does most of the work. And if you listen, your body will tell you when something is going wrong. Here are some signs to look out for and what they might mean.
- cravings for sour foods.
Cravings for sour foods are common when your body undergoes hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy. But it can also be a sign that your liver and gallbladder are not coping with the needs of the body. If you suddenly have a craving for acidic foods, it may be worth seeing your doctor to get this checked out.
- Bleeding from the mouth.
Bleeding gums can be a sign that you’re simply not taking good care of your oral health. If you floss after not brushing your teeth for a year, you may be bleeding. But bleeding gums can also be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Before taking supplements, consider getting it from natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables.
- insomnia and cramps.
Everyone has occasional cramps and insomnia, but if they become an ongoing problem, it could mean you have a magnesium problem. Magnesium is an important nutrient for brain, muscle and heart health. If you are experiencing these problems, visit your doctor and add foods like nuts, leafy greens, bananas and fruit to your diet.
- seafood cravings.
As we said before, cravings for certain foods can be a normal part of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Otherwise, seafood cravings may indicate that you are deficient in various nutrients, minerals, and protein.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan and have cravings for meat, keep a food journal and track your macronutrient intake. You may not be getting a balanced diet.
- Sugar cravings.
If you’re craving sweets, it means you’ve been eating too much sugar and junk food lately. Sugar is addictive, and junk food has almost no nutritional value, hence the name. If you have a craving for sweets, you can beat it by eating a big salad. Give your body what it really needs. It’s hard, but you can retrain your tastes.
- Sodium addiction.
Salt is an essential mineral for a healthy body, so sometimes a craving for salt is normal. The desire to eat salty foods may be a reaction to an infection or inflammation in the body. Try to use healthier salt, such as Himalayan pink salt.
- Brittle nails and hair.
Brittle hair and nails are a fairly common symptom of nutrient and vitamin deficiencies. Low levels of B vitamins and calcium can cause hair and nails to become brittle and dry. Try to eat more whole foods such as whole grain breads, legumes, potatoes, leafy greens and almond milk.
- Persistent dry skin.
When vitamin E is deficient, it shows up on the skin. The skin is the largest organ and needs to be well taken care of! Vitamin E keeps it healthy. If you are deficient in vitamin E, your skin will show up cracked, dry, scaly and itchy. Try adding some E to your diet through fish oil, nuts and other healthy oils.