Your body is an incredible machine. We tend to think that someone else has to prescribe the drugs that make us healthy, but in reality, your body does most of the work. And if you listen, your body will tell you when something isn’t right. Here are a few things to look out for and what they might mean.
- Craving for acidic foods.
You often crave acidic foods when your body is going through hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy. However, it can also be a sign that the liver and gallbladder are struggling to meet the body’s needs. If you suddenly have a craving for acidic foods, it’s worth going to the doctor and getting checked out. - Bleeding from the mouth.
Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are not taking good care of your oral health. If you floss after not flossing for a year, you may start to bleed a little. However, bleeding gums can also be a symptom of vitamin C deficiency. Before looking into supplements, consider getting them from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. - Insomnia and seizures.
Everyone experiences cramps and insomnia from time to time, but if it becomes a persistent problem, it could mean you have a mild magnesium problem. Magnesium is an important nutrient for the health of your brain, muscles and heart. If you suffer from this, consult your doctor and include foods such as nuts, vegetables, bananas and fruits in your diet. - Craving for seafood.
As mentioned above, food cravings can be a normal part of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Otherwise, craving seafood could mean you’re deficient in several nutrients and minerals and may not be getting enough protein.
If you’re a vegetarian and have a meat craving, keep a food diary and track your macronutrients. You may not be able to maintain a balanced diet.
- Sugar cravings.
If you have sugar cravings, you may have been eating a lot of sugar and junk food lately. Sugar is addictive and junk food has virtually no nutritional value; Hence the name. If you have a sugar craving, beat it with a big salad. Give your body what it really needs. It’s hard, but you can retrain your taste buds. - Craving for sodium.
Salt is a mineral essential to a healthy body, so it’s worth craving it occasionally. A taste for salty foods can also be a response to an infection or inflammation somewhere in the body. Try eating a healthy salt such as pink Himalayan salt. - Brittleness of nails and hair.
Brittle hair and nails are a fairly common symptom of a lack of nutrients and vitamins. Low levels of B vitamins and calcium can make your hair and nails brittle and dry. Try to eat more wholegrain products such as wholegrain bread, pulses, potatoes, green leafy vegetables and almond milk. - Constant dryness of the skin.
If you are deficient in vitamin E, it will show on your skin. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it needs good care! Vitamin E promotes health. If you are deficient in vitamin E, it can manifest as cracked, dry, scaly and itchy skin. Try adding some E to your diet with fish oil, nuts and other healthy oils.