Our bodies are reliant upon what we consume over time; are you getting what you need?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Waking up from a sound sleep only to feel tired, itchy because your skin is dry, or perhaps you have a cold? Feeling uneasy, and perhaps uncomfortable within your own skin? Happens in all seasons, and to most people.

You may lack some key necessary vitamins and minerals, which help your cells and organs work the way they should, boosting your immune system to become your natural health protector.

Fighting fatigue: Your body needs a certain level of iron to build healthy red blood cells that get oxygen to your body’s tissues. A healthy regiment of consuming lean meat, beans and fortified cereals, along with a supplement of vitamin B12 will help maintain a healthy energy balance.

Headaches: Perhaps your body is lacking the needed magnesium found in: beans, nuts and green leafy veggies. Magnesium helps your nerves work, as they should, and helps keep your blood sugars in check.

Dry itchy skin and eyes: Vitamin B helps your cells grow and work, as they should. Should your eyes be itchy, you may not get enough omega-3 fatty acids, sound in: fish oil, salmon and other fish. Vitamin B can be found in eggs and many green veggies like asparagus and broccoli.

Bleeding gums: Often the cause may be gum disease, but an alternative can be a lack of vitamin C. Illnesses such as scurvy can inflict a body lacking the necessary vitamin C level.

Muscle weakness: A lack of B1 (thiamin) can lead to muscular problems. Thiamin is found in: whole grains, pork, fish, some nuts and beans. Potassium (found in bananas) is very important in the maintenance of healthy muscle development.

Weak bones: Calcium is the building block of bones, and vitamin D helps the body absorb it. If you do not get enough of these two vitamins, you can face illnesses such as osteoporosis, an illness that makes your bones weak and brittle.

Hearing loss: Vitamin B-12’s main job is to help your nervous system to work as it should. If you do not have enough of this vitamin your brain and ears can be affected.

Some vitamins are essential to certain races and societies. A lack of any such vitamin within the population of a region can affect entire populations and ethnic groups. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that people from the African diaspora absolutely need.

Our bodies are reliant upon what we consume over time. A well thought out planned diet, with possible uses of particular vitamin and mineral supplements, and directed through the medical advice of a dietitian or doctor will ensure a healthy energetic future.