Chronic Conditions
Jigsaw Health Products
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Deficiencies: Overview, Symptoms, Causes, Natural Treatments, and Medicine
Since vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are essential to every important process in the body, deficiencies in these nutrients can result in a wide variety of ailments —- from subtly impairing to entirely disabling. Some effort is required to identify these deficiencies, since symptoms vary according to the specific nutrients that are lacking in the diet of any given individual. Some of the more common modern-day deficiencies are listed below.
Magnesium and Calcium – Few Americans ingest enough magnesium, a problem that, oddly enough, is complicated by public awareness of the need for calcium. Consuming too much calcium causes the body to excrete magnesium, reducing this important mineral to dangerously low levels, and making supplementation of magnesium a necessity. A balanced combination of calcium and magnesium is essential to optimal health. However, magnesium supplementation is often a problem for those who suffer from chronic conditions. Since ingesting too much magnesium can produce a laxative effect, a magnesium supplement taken in a “sustained-release” form will act gently, over time, to keep the mineral within a healthy range—neither too much nor too little.3 Read the National Institutes of Health report on magnesium.
Trace Minerals – Trace minerals including copper, chromium, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc are important factors in maintaining the health of the immune system. For those with heavy metal toxicity, zinc and selenium are even more important, as listed below.
- Zinc – This mineral is critical for maintaining a healthy immune system and for producing neurotransmitters, but maintaining a normal level can be a challenge. People with toxic levels of mercury in their systems (from sources such as dental amalgam “silver” fillings) excrete excessive levels of zinc. Those with heavy metal toxicity may benefit from a mineral supplement containing zinc.4
- Selenium – Of special interest is selenium’s role in protecting the body against heavy metal poisoning, since mercury toxicity is a matter of concern to many Americans. Therefore, a multi-mineral supplement containing selenium may be the safest way to boost selenium to a healthy level.4 Learn more about multi minerals.
B Vitamins – B vitamins are a catalyst for many of the body’s important chemical reactions. A deficiency in any of these vitamins can cause normal body functions to break down and increase a person’s susceptibility to illness. Supplementing B vitamins is relatively easy, although, as with many other nutrients, more is not always better. Excessive quantities of B vitamins present in the intestine may fuel an overgrowth of Candida. A “sustained-release” B vitamin complex is best. Also, it’s better to take a B vitamin complex, since the Bs work best together, rather than independently.5 Learn more about B vitamins.
Amino Acids – Amino acids are the “building blocks” of proteins and are necessary for virtually everything in our bodies, including most hormones and all neurotransmitters. Low levels of amino acids are closely associated with several chronic ailments. In particular, people with Candida have been found to be deficient in nearly all amino acids. Many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients have low levels of L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine. L-tyrosine plays a key role in the production of thyroid hormone, so low levels of this amino acid may explain the prevalence of thyroid issues among chronically ill people. Amino acids can be maintained at healthy levels with the use of well-balanced dietary supplements, but only while also striving to get enough high-quality protein in the diet.6 Learn more about amino acids.
Additional Information about Deficiencies
- Common symptoms of deficiencies
- Common causes of deficiencies
- Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for deficiencies
- Dietary and lifestyle recommendations that may help in the treatment of deficiencies
- Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of deficiencies
- Cited Sources and Additional Reading for deficiencies
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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