1 hr ago
Doctor Lists Early Signs of Seven Nutritional Deficiencies
A doctor shared some early body signs that can sometimes happen when people lack important vitamins or minerals.
Trouble seeing at night may be linked to low vitamin A. Easy bruising may be linked to low vitamin K, while tingling around the mouth may be linked to low calcium.
Mouth ulcers, neck swelling, bleeding gums and cracked mouth corners may also have nutritional causes.
These signs do not always mean someone has a deficiency because other health issues can cause them too.
If symptoms last for several weeks or appear together, a doctor may recommend blood tests.
Eating a varied diet is usually the safest first step.
Supplements should be taken with medical advice, especially because too much of some nutrients can be harmful.
Dr Saurabh Sethi identified possible early signs linked to seven micronutrient deficiencies.
Symptoms include night-vision difficulty, easy bruising, mouth tingling, ulcers, neck swelling, bleeding gums and cracked mouth corners.
Dietitian Kanikka Malhotra said persistent or combined symptoms may warrant medical evaluation and blood tests.
Experts recommend prioritizing nutrient-rich foods and using supplements mainly for confirmed deficiencies with medical guidance.
Women, older adults, vegetarians, vegans and people following keto diets may face higher risks of certain deficiencies.
- Who
- Dr Saurabh Sethi and dietitian Kanikka Malhotra discussed possible signs and responses to micronutrient deficiencies.
- What
- They outlined early symptoms associated with deficiencies in vitamins A, K, C and B6, and in calcium, folate and iodine.
- Where
- Dr Sethi is based in California, and the guidance was shared on Instagram and reported by indianexpress.com.
- When
- The guidance was shared in Dr Sethi’s Instagram post and the accompanying article; no publication date is specified.
- Why
- The aim was to help people recognize possible deficiencies earlier while emphasizing testing and professional medical advice.
Key facts
- Vitamin A sign
- Difficulty with night vision
- Vitamin K sign
- Easy bruising
- Calcium sign
- Tingling around the mouth
- Folate sign
- Mouth ulcers
- Iodine sign
- Neck swelling
- Vitamin C sign
- Bleeding gums
- Vitamin B6 sign
- Cracked corners of the mouth
- Testing guidance
- Persistent symptoms lasting two to four weeks, or symptoms occurring together, may justify medical evaluation and blood tests.
Quotes
Kanikka Malhotra
Consultant dietitian and certified diabetes educator
“Spotting micronutrient deficiencies early can feel confusing since signs like tiredness, brittle nails, or dry skin often overlap with everyday stress, poor sleep, or ageing. The key is tracking here. If the symptoms linger over 2-4 weeks despite better rest, hydration, and balanced meals, or show up together, like hair loss with night blindness.”
indianexpress.com
“Begin low-dose with doctor input to avoid overloads like too much vitamin A. Blend both briefly if needed, say for vegans with B12 via fortified foods or drops, then recheck blood in 4-6 weeks. Food keeps you thriving long-term without kidney strain,”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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