A significant percentage of the population suffers with nutrient deficiencies for many different reasons. Depleted soils, processed foods, and the average American diet are all highly to blame. However, nutrient levels in the body are controlled by much more than simply what a person eats. Different factors affect the fate of the nutrients you consume. How your body processes nutrition is as important as what enters your mouth. Improper digestive and gastrointestinal balance and function can sabotage the efforts of even a conscientious eater. Nutrient deficiency can lead to chronic disease and conversely chronic illness can lead to nutrient deficiency. For individuals who are ill, or for healthy people acting proactively, deficiencies should always be considered. There are tests that can determine if a person suffers with inadequate vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fats and other fundamental necessities for optimal health.
Symptoms of Deficient Vitamins
Vitamin A
- Eye symptoms
- Reduced night vision
- Night blindness
- Dry eyes
- Eye inflammation
- Corneal inflammation
- Rough skin
- Dry skin
- Vulnerability to respiratory infection
- Vulnerability to urinary infection
- Growth retardation in children
Vitamin B6
- Pellagra-like symptoms
- Abdominal cramping
- Confused or delusional thinking
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise or lethargy
- Mucus membrane inflammation
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Skin lesions that are scaly and sore
- Weakness (loss of strength)
- Anemia
- Impaired antibody production
- Lowered immunity
- Convulsions in children
- Growth retardation in children
- Infant seizures
- Skin inflammation
- Red scaly skin
- Hand numbness
- Foot numbness
- Hand tingling
- Foot tingling
- Sore tongue
- Red tongue
- Cracks in corners of mouth
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Retarded infant growth
- Fatigue
- Eczema
Methyl B12
- Forgetfulness and foggy thinking
- Confusion
- Dementia, psychosis, depression, paranoia
- Lack of coordination and balance, clumsiness
- Tremors
- Tingling in the extremities
- Muscle weakness and/or pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Incontinence
- Heart palpitations
- Loss of vision
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal problems
B12 deficiency has a strong effect on the nervous system and can mimic several different diseases that are considered “incurable”. Some diseases include:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Guillian-Barre Syndrome
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (“Lou Gehrig’s disease”)
Vitamin C
Symptoms of mild deficiency:
- Weakness
- Weariness
- Swollen gums
- Nosebleeds
- Constipation
Severe deficiency can lead to scurvy
Vitamin D
- Soft bone disorders: rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and osteoporosis in seniors. This can lead to crippling deformations, easier bone fractures, and diminished bone density.
Other deficiency symptoms may include:
- Bone pain
- Delayed tooth formation
- Dental deformities
- Muscle cramps
- Poor growth in children
- Spine and other bone deformities
- Stooped posture and a loss of height
- Tingling
- Weakness
- High blood pressure
- Tuberculosis
- Depression, including seasonal affective disorder
- Type I diabetes
- Periodontal disease
- Low blood calcium levels
- Chronic bone, muscle, or joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Bowed limbs
- Knock-kneed appearance
Symptoms of Deficient Minerals
Zinc
- Acne
- Apathy
- Brittle nails
- Delayed sexual maturity
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Eczema
- Fatigue
- Growth impairment
- Hair loss
- Immune impairment
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of sense of taste
- Deficient stomach acid
- Memory impairment
- Night blindness
- Paranoia
- White spots on nails
- Wound healing impairment
Magnesium
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Heart attack
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Muscular irritability
- Restlessness
- Weakness
Lithium
- Aggression
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Increased susceptibility to excitotoxins
Calcium
- Eye pain
- Brittle nails
- Cramps
- Delusions
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Osteoporosis
- Heart palpitations
- Peridontal disease & tooth decay
Antioxidants
Some important antioxidants include glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, cause oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells.
Oxidative stress appears to contribute to the development of many human diseases, and has been linked in particular to stroke, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, the pathologies caused by diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegeneration in motor neuron diseases.
A low calorie diet extends median and maximum lifespan in many animals. This effect may involve a reduction in oxidative stress.
Eye Deficiency Symptoms:
| Symptom | Possible Deficiency |
| Bitot’s spots – foamy patches on conjunctiva | vitamin A |
| Bloodshot eyes | fungus infection |
| Blurred vision | vitamins B2, B6, pantothenic acid |
| Bulging eyes | vitamin E, nicotinamide, iodine |
| Cataracts (lens becomes opaque) | vitamins B2, C, E, antioxidants (avoid lactose) |
| Color-blindness | vitamin A |
| Conjunctivitis | vitamins A, B2, C (B6, zinc) |
| Cross-eyes | vitamins E, C, B1, possible allergies |
| Dark spots in front of the eyes | vitamins B6, C, zinc, liver problems |
| Dim vision (amblyopia) | vitamins B1, B2, C, B12 , possible allergies |
| Dry, hard eyeballs (xerophthalmia) | vitamin A |
| Farsightedness (hyperopia) | magnesium, potassium, MSM |
| Glaucoma | magnesium, vitamin C (B2, B1,salt) |
| Hemorrhaging in the back of the eye (retinitis) | vitamin B6, zinc (also magnesium, vitamins C, B2, B12, E, proteins, pantothenate) |
| Infected, ulcerating eyes (keratomalacia) | vitamin A (vitamins C, B2, B6, zinc, boric acid) |
| Itching, burning, watery, sandy eyes | vitamin B2 |
| Macular degeneration | vitamins A, B2, B6, magnesium, zinc, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, esp. lutein & zeaxanthin, ginkgo biloba, bilberry, eyebright, MSM, EFA |
| Near-sightedness (myopia) | chromium, vitamins C, E, D, calcium (proteins, avoid sugars) |
| Night blindness (nyctalopia) | vitamins A, (B2, B6, zinc) |
| Red blood vessels in the sclera | vitamin B2 |
| Retinal detachment | zinc, vitamins B6, B2, C, E, A |
| Sensitive eyes, fear of strong light (photophobia) | vitamins B2, A |
| Tics of eyelids | magnesium, vitamins B2, B6, zinc |
Skin-deficiency Symptoms
| Symptom | Deficiency / Treatment / Cause |
| Acne | vitamins A, E, B2, B6, C, niacin, biotin, zinc, EFA*, lecithin, MSM, retinoic acid topically (minimize sweet food & fats) |
| Addison’s disease – adrenal exhaustion: increased tanning, especially on skin-folds, scars, elbows, knees; black freckles | all B vitamins, especially pantothenic acid; vitamin C; all minerals, digestive enzymes, allergy testing, avoid sweet food |
| Arterial spiders (fine branching arteries on face, neck, chest) | antioxidants, bioflavonoids, glucosamine, cartilage, calcium |
| Bedsores | vitamins C, E |
| Blisters | vitamin E |
| Brown discoloration around small joints | vitamin B12 |
| Brown skin spots | antioxidants (weak liver) |
| Dry skin | vitamins A, C, EFA |
| Eczema, skin ulcers | vitamin C, B2, B6, zinc, magnesium, EFA, allergy test, cleanse |
| Eczema, infantile | EPA, zinc, vitamin B6 |
| Edema | vitamin B6, zinc (also vitamin C, magnesium, avoid salt) |
| Fingers white, numb, stiff, swellings (Raynaud’s disease) | vitamins B6, B1, antioxidants, niacin, magnesium/calcium, EFA |
| Fungus infections (e.g. athlete’s foot, ringworm) | B vitamins, (external tea tree oil, intestinal sanitation) |
| Gangrene | vitamins C, E, B1 , magnesium chloride, (urine packs) |
| Greasy dermatitis around eyes, nose | vitamin B6, zinc |
| Greasy skin eruptions (seborrhea) | vitamin B2 |
| Horny red skin on pressure areas (e.g. knees, elbows) | zinc (vitamin B6) |
| Hot flushes | vitamin E, boron, magnesium, calcium (Wild Yam cream) |
| Ichthyosis (fish-like scales) | vitamin A, retinoic acid topically, MSM |
| Infant dermatitis with inflamed pustules around body openings | vitamin B6, zinc |
| Infections of the skin (boils, cold sores, impetigo, and so on) | vitamins C, A, B6, zinc, magnesium chloride (hot Epsom-salt packs, tea tree oil or propolis rubs) |
| Itching | vitamins B, C, EFA, alkalizer, bicarbonate rubs, (allergy tests) |
| Jaundice | vitamins C, E, A, B12, B6, lecithin, magnesium, zinc (blue light therapy, treat gall bladder & liver) |
| Keratosis, horny, goose-pimple-like skin | vitamin A internally & externally |
| Lemon-yellow skin | vitamin B12 |
| Oily skin, whiteheads | vitamin B2 |
| Oversensitivity to sunlight | vitamin B6, zinc, PABA, beta-carotene, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, alkalizers |
| Pale skin | biotin, folic acid, vitamin B6, , iron (anemia) |
| Prickly-heat rash | vitamin C |
| Psoriasis | as for acne; blue light, sunlight; avoid gluten |
| Purplish or blue-black skin areas | vitamin C, B2, bioflavonoids |
| Rash | allergy test, alkalizers, vitamin C, calcium |
| Red-brown, often symmetrical discoloration of skin exposed to the sun, later ulceration | niacin or nicotinamide (folic acid) |
| Red-brown or dark-red spots | manganese |
| Rosacea (redness of part of face) | vitamin B2 |
| Scaly dermatitis | biotin |
| Scaly eczema around nose, ears, scrotum, vulva | vitamin B2 |
| Scar tissue | vitamin E, MSM externally & internally, camphorated oil rub |
| Scleroderma (hardening and swelling of skin) | vitamin E, C, A, PABA, MSM, magnesium chloride (zapper, pulser and parasite therapy, tea tree oil packs) |
| Sensitivity to insect bites | vitamin C, B1, calcium, alkalizers, bicarbonate rub/bath |
| Shingles | vitamins B12, C, A, B, E, zinc, lysine, zinc oxide lotion, zapper |
| Skin cancer | vitamins A, B6, PABA, antioxidants,bioflavonoids, carotenes, chlorophyll, propolis, zinc (blue light, escharotics) |
| Skin-folds red, infected | niacin |
| Stretch-marks | vitamins E, B6, zinc |
| Subcutaneous bleeding (red or purplish spots under the skin, bruises easily) | vitamin C, bioflavonoids and rutin, grape seed extract, glucosamine, alkalizer |
| Swellings (for example, face) | zinc, magnesium, vitamins B6, B12 |
| Vaginal itching | vitamins B2, E, C (avoid synthetic underwear, treat Candida) |
| Warts, moles | vitamins C, A, E |
| Weals on the skin (urticaria) | vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin C, (alkalizer, allergy test) |
| White skin patches (vitiligo) | PABA, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, zinc |
| Wrinkles or aging skin | vitamins C, E, A, EFA, bioflavonoids (too much sun) |
Hair & Nail Deficiency Symptons
| Symptom | Deficiency treatment cause |
| Coarse, brittle hair | zinc |
| Dandruff | vitamins B2, B6, zinc, magnesium, biotin |
| Dry hair | vitamin A, zinc |
| Graying hair | folic acid, pantothenic acid, PABA, biotin, minerals (weak adrenals, avoid sweet food) |
| Hangnails | vitamin C, folic acid, proteins |
| Hair loss | copper/lead contamination: use zinc, vitamin B6, sulfur (MSM), selenium, biotin |
| Nails opaque, white spots/bands | zinc, vitamin B6 |
| Oily hair | vitamin B2 |
| Peeling nails | vitamins A, C, calcium |
| Ridges on nails, longitudinal | vitamin A, protein, (anemia, poor circulation, balance glands) |
| Ridges on nails, transverse | fever, infection, menstrual problems, period of protein deficiency |
| Scaling of cuticle or lips | biotin |
Tongue & Mouth Deficiency Symptoms
Mouth problems are often due to amalgam fillings, allergies or Candida infestation (thrush).
| Symptom | Deficiency treatment cause |
| Beefy, enlarged tongue | pantothenic acid |
| Burning, sore tongue | vitamins B2, B6, B12, niacin |
| Cracked lips & corners of the mouth (cheilosis) | vitamins B2, B6, folic acid |
| Distended, purplish-blue veins under the tongue | vitamin B2 (circulation poor, congested) |
| Edema or tooth-marks on tongue | niacin/nicotinamide |
| Furrowed tongue | vitamin B1, pantothenic acid |
| Gums receding, bleeding (gingivitis) | vitamin C, bioflavonoids, calcium, alkalizers |
| Halitosis (bad breath) | vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, propolis, chlorophyll (cleansing, intestinal sanitation) |
| Mouth ulcers, canker | folic acid, vitamin B6, zinc (alkalize, allergy test) |
| Papillae prominent or erased | niacin/nicotinamide |
| Purplish or magenta tongue or lips, also veins under the tongue | vitamin B2 |
| Tongue red at tip or edges; severe deficiency: whole tongue scarlet red, sore | niacin (vitamin B6) |
| Tongue shiny, smooth, beefy; early sign: strawberry-red tip/sides | vitamin B12, folic acid |
| Tongue too small or too large | niacin, pantothenic acid |
| White-coated tongue | intestinal putrefaction, cleansing |
| White patches on tongue | vitamin B2 and other B vitamins (allergy) |
| Yellowish-brown-coated tongue | liver or gall bladder problems |
Scientific References for Nutritional Deficiency:
Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 July; 9(7): 568–578.
The British Journal of Psychiatry (2002) 181: 22-28
Vitamin B12 levels are low in hospitalized psychiatric patients.
Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2000;37(1):41-5.
What are the psychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency?
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1988 Dec;36(12):1105-12.
Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment.
Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(2):362-70. Epub 2006 Mar 20.
Is it time to trial vitamin D supplements for the prevention of schizophrenia?
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;67(2):146-54.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Jul;121(1-2):467-70. Epub 2010 Mar 7.
