Many vegans are so stuck in proving how healthy they are without any supplementation that they can easily overlook an important health issue before it becomes too late. By saying this I don’t mean to imply that plants are not a sufficient source of nutrients.
Plants can certainly provide all the nutrition one needs! Provided we lived in a perfect world where the soil and plants were not chemically treated and our bodies were not exposed to pollutants that affect our ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients.
THESE ARE DEFICIENCIES THAT ANYONE DEVELOP, BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED FACTORS.
The usual way to check if you have any vitamin deficiency is doing a number of blood tests which can be quite expensive. They reveal if you have insufficient amounts of any nutrient as well as how low you are on them. However, there’s an easier way to spot the signs and it’s totally free.
Your face can tell a lot more than you think. Pay closer attention to it and see if there are any of the following signs that indicate a specific vitamin deficiency.
If you are serious about your health and would like to avoid all of these nutritional deficiencies
1. PALE COMPLEXION
If your face gets paler day by day, it might indicate you have a lack of vitamin B12. You might want to check your tongue to see if it’s completely smooth, which is another symptom of being deficient in this vitamin. Other signs include memory problems and fatigue.
2. BAD HAIR
If your hair has seen many bad days being dry, brittle, and full of dandruff, you might have a Vitamin B7 (biotin) deficiency. Usually, people develop it when taking a lot of antibiotics which destroy the intestinal bacteria that synthesize biotin.
How to improve – Eat more biotin-rich foods like mushrooms and cauliflower.
3. PUFFY EYES
Puffy eyes and bloated legs can be symptoms of iodine deficiency. Other signs that you have a lack of this nutrient are dry skin, weight gain, and brittle nails.
How to improve – if your diet consists mostly of low-salt foods, it’s time to change it. The main source of iodine for most people is table salt, but you should know that you can also include seaweed and sea vegetables to improve your iodine levels.
4. PALE LIPS
Pale lips and gums can mean you have a lack of iron. These symptoms of iron deficiency are more visible in women than men. You will notice your body tries to get the necessary iron by feeling like eating ice, clay, or dirt.
How to improve – consume more spinach and dried beans.
5. TENDER OR BLEEDING GUM
Bleeding and aching gums accompanied by teeth which are not in good shape are signs of vitamin C deficiency. This vitamin is one our most essential nutrients, so insufficient amounts of it can cause serious health problems, including muscle ache and even scurvy – a disease which if not treated on time can make all of your teeth fall out.
How to improve – eat plenty of vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, berries, cantaloupe, mango, kiwi, papaya, red peppers, and watermelon.
