Doctor reveals 5 signs your body needs more nutrients

Ever feel like you bruise more easily than others? Or perhaps your nails aren’t as strong as you’d like? A doctor explains why.

There are five easy to spot signs that show your body needs more nutrition, a leading US doctor has revealed.

Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist based in California, said brittle nails, eyelid twitching, clicking of the joints, premature greying of the hair and bruising easily were all clues your body could be lacking in vital nutrients.

A study published in August found that more than half the world doesn’t consume enough micronutrients essential to health, including calcium, iron and vitamins C and E.

Brittle nails

“This indicates a deficiency of protein and iron in the diet,” Sethi said about brittle nails in a TikTok earlier this month, as reported by The New York Post.

Nails are primarily composed of the protein keratin, so it’s crucial to eat plenty of protein to keep nails healthy and strong.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

For a 68kg person, that’s 54 grams of protein daily.

More common in women than men, brittle nails can be from frequent handwashing stripping moisture from the nails, using acetone to remove nail polish, living in cold, dry weather or something as simple as ageing.

Thyroid disorders and iron deficiency anaemia are also possibilities.

Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, whole grains and eggs.

Nails are primarily composed of the protein keratin, so it’s crucial to eat plenty of protein to keep nails healthy and strong. Picture: NY Post.

Myokymia is the scientific term for the orbicularis oculi, a muscle that surrounds the eye and closes the eyelids, contracting involuntarily. Picture: NY Post

Eyelid twitching

“Twitching in the eyelids or the limbs indicates magnesium deficiency, which is critical for transmitting nerve impulses,” Dr Sethi explained.

Myokymia is the scientific term for the orbicularis oculi, a muscle that surrounds the eye and closes the eyelids, contracting involuntarily.

The condition has been linked to stress, fatigue, caffeine consumption, an electrolyte imbalance, eye strain from staring at a computer for too long, certain medications and, less commonly, brain and nervous system disorders.

Magnesium plays a critical role in muscle function, and while magnesium supplementation is popular, experts encourage consulting with a doctor beforehand to ensure you’re taking the type of magnesium that best suits your needs.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from foods such as milk, sardines and leafy greens. Picture: NY Post

The exact cause of premature greying is still unclear. Picture: NY Post

Clicking of the joints

Cracking, clicking or popping knees are a common occurrence, especially as the body ages.

However, Dr Sethi warned “it could be a warning sign of vitamin D3 or calcium deficiency.”

Calcium builds and maintains strong bones, while vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from foods such as milk, sardines and leafy greens.

Premature greying of the hair

Premature greying of hair is when hair greys before 20 in white people and before 30 in African-Americans.

Researchers don’t know exactly why this happens, but they have pointed the finger at genetics, auto-immune diseases, pollution, smoking, stress and vitamin deficiencies.

“This could indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is crucial for [red blood cell] production and oxygen transport at the hair follicles,” Sethi said.

“This could also be a sign of copper deficiency, which is responsible for melanin production, imparting colour to your hair.”

You may be bruising easily for a host of reasons, including vitamin deficiencies. Picture: NY Post

Bruising easily

This may be due to old age since the skin thins as the years pass or genetics, as some people are more prone to bruising easily.

It could also be caused by underlying medical conditions like Cushing syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Medications that can reduce the blood’s ability to clot, such as aspirin or blood thinners, could also contribute, as could vitamin deficiencies.

“This could mean that you’re running short of vitamin C, which is responsible for collagen formation,” Sethi shared.

“It could also mean a deficiency of vitamin K1, which helps in blood clotting.”

This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission.