The doctor listed the body's signals indicating a lack of trace elements

The human body has ways of signaling a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. For example, the presence of white dots on nail plates may indicate a lack of vitamins and trace elements such as zinc, calcium, iodine, and vitamin A. Ilnur Zubairov, a rheumatologist, doctor of preventive and integrative medicine, and Solgar expert, told Izvestia on April 7 about this and other symptoms of deficiency.

"The pinch test is an easy way to check for vitamin C deficiency. Just pinch the skin on the back of your hand and see how long it takes for it to return to its original color. If it takes longer than two seconds, it may be a sign of low vitamin C levels. Other symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include dry and split hair, fatigue, and swollen and painful joints," he said.

According to him, omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain health and reducing inflammation. One way to find out if there are enough omega-3s in the body is to check the level of these acids in the blood. Low levels of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may indicate a deficiency. In addition, signs of deficiency may include dry, itchy skin and hair loss. Since omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain activity, their deficiency can lead to absent-mindedness, inattention, and difficulty remembering information.

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"Magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, making it critically important for overall health. Low magnesium levels can be signaled by muscle spasms, fatigue and weakness, frequent irritability, and sleep disorders. You can also check the level of magnesium in the urine, as high urinary excretion of magnesium may indicate a deficiency," the doctor explained.

The expert said that calcium is an important mineral for maintaining bone strength, supporting muscle function and regulating nerve impulses. Calcium deficiency can lead to muscle spasms and cramps, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, especially in the fingers and toes. Fatigue and weakness may occur, as calcium is involved in energy production. There may also be problems with teeth and gums: calcium is essential for healthy teeth and gums, and a lack of it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

In addition, Zubairov added that vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function. Symptoms of its deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness and bone pain, excessive sweating.

"Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Low iron levels can cause fatigue, weakness and pallor of the skin, and hair loss. Common signs of iron deficiency are congestion in the corners of the mouth, discoloration of the skin ("coffee with milk"), and changes in the nail plates (striation, brittleness, concavity). Women, especially during menstruation, are at a higher risk of iron deficiency," he concluded.

Earlier, on March 24, Nadezhda Semina, a general practitioner at the First Clinical Medical Center of Dobrograd, told Izvestia that many people experience vitamin deficiency in the spring. This condition is characterized by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, which can lead to various functional disorders in the body.