I’m a doctor – here are 5 signs your body needs more nutrients

Nails are mainly made up of the protein keratin, so it is essential 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 – or 0.36 grams per kilogram. For a 150-pound person, that’s 54 grams of protein per day.

More common in women than men, brittle nails can be from washing your hands too often to remove moisture from your nails, using acetone to remove nail polish, living in cold, dry weather, or something as simple as that. how old

Thyroid disorders and iron deficiency anemia are also possibilities.

Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, whole grains and eggs.

Trembling of the eyelids

“Cracks in the eyelids or limbs indicate a lack of magnesium, which is critical for the transmission of nerve impulses,” explained Sethi.

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 the computer for too long, certain medications and, less commonly, disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Magnesium plays a critical role in muscle function, and while magnesium supplements are popular, experts encourage consulting a doctor first to make sure you’re getting the type of magnesium that best suits your needs.

Clicking nodes

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

However, Sethi cautioned that 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 like milk, sardines and leafy greens.

Premature graying of hair

Premature graying is when hair falls out before the age of 20 in white people and before the age of 30 in African Americans.

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

“This may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is essential for [red blood cell] the production and transport of oxygen to the hair follicles,” said Sethi. “It can also be a sign of a lack of copper, which is responsible for the production of melanin, giving your hair its color.”

Light bruising

This may be due to old age as the skin thins over the years; genetics, as some people are more prone to bruise easily; underlying medical conditions such as Cushing syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; medications that can reduce the blood’s ability to clot, such as aspirin or blood thinners; or lack of vitamins.

“It could mean you’re deficient in vitamin C, which is responsible for collagen formation,” Sethi said. “It could also mean a lack of vitamin K1, which helps blood clot.”