Nov 10, 2020
Minerals are simply described as inorganic nutrients needed in adequate amounts for bodily functions. Important minerals include trace elements like iodine, zinc, iron, and micronutrients such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium.
However, deficiency diseases can occur if these minerals are lacking in one’s diet for an extended period. That’s more reason why you need to always eat a balanced diet that contains a sufficient amount of these minerals, alongside vitamins and other nutrients.
Below are some health ailments that are caused by mineral deficiency and some natural ways to treat them:
Anemia
Anemia is a health ailment in which the blood is unable to transport the required oxygen to the body tissues. This condition is caused by iron deficiency, and iron is required to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells which helps in transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Unfortunately, around 40-60 percent of the infants in developing countries are diagnosed to suffer mental impairment due to a lack of iron in their diet.
Some common symptoms you’re likely to notice as your body becomes more deficient in iron include:
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Extreme fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness
A good way to prevent this ailment is to eat foods like poultry, red meat, spinach, etc. which are rich in iron.
You can also help anemia with iron supplementation, but always consult your doctor and have your blood levels tested before supplementing with iron.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. It’s a serious ailment that can lead to a fracture when you fall or subject yourself to even mild stresses such as coughing or bending over.
This health ailment is more likely to occur in people who are deficient in calcium. A low calcium intake causes diminished bone density, increased risk of fractures, and early bone loss.
Other risk factors for osteoporosis include dietary disorders, gastrointestinal surgery, thyroid problems, etc.
You can prevent this condition by eating calcium-rich foods like dairy, sardines, and dark green leafy vegetables.
Muscle paralysis
Muscle paralysis is a health ailment that can be caused by potassium deficiency. Some common symptoms of this deficiency include weakness and muscle cramping. You can also other symptoms like bloating, constipation, or abdominal pain.
Potassium is an essential mineral that is required for nerve signals and muscle contraction. But you can lose potassium through excessive fluid loss (vomiting, use of diuretics, or kidney disease).
You can prevent muscle paralysis by eating foods rich in potassium. Examples include fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, beets, plums, avocado, dark leafy greens, and bananas.
Goiter
This ailment is a progressive enlargement of the thyroid gland, and this can be caused by iodine deficiency. The body needs iodine for the production of thyroid hormone, but it does not produce this mineral, hence, it is an essential part of every diet.
Iodine deficiency can also cause hypothyroidism and intellectual disabilities in children, especially when the mothers didn’t take enough iodine during pregnancy.
You can help a goiter by eating iodine-rich foods such as seafood, dairy products, eggs, meat, and some bread.
Abnormal heart rhythms
You can get abnormal rhythms of the heart if you suffer from magnesium deficiency. This is mainly because magnesium is needed to control hundreds of chemical reactions, including control of blood glucose and blood pressure.
Magnesium also controls energy metabolism, brain function, and protein production. This mineral is uncommon in healthy people, but chronic health conditions like alcoholism and certain medications may cause magnesium deficiency.
You can also suffer muscle cramps, tingling, numbness, and seizures if you’re magnesium deficient.
Hence, you should include magnesium in your diet. Some good magnesium-rich foods include nuts, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and green leafy vegetables.
You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC to get recommendations on the best natural foods to include in your diet to prevent health ailments caused by mineral deficiency.