Let’s be honest for a moment: our bodies aren’t always great at telling us what they want or need. That’s why so many people don’t even know they’re sick until it hits them like a freight truck. To make things even harder, sometimes we can think that we’re dealing with one problem when we’re really dealing with another. One example of two commonly mixed up problems is a food intolerance and a vitamin deficiency.
The difference between a food intolerance and a vitamin deficiency
To understand how these medical needs are different, it’s important to take a look at what is behind them. A food intolerance is when your body is incapable of digesting a certain ingredient effectively. It doesn’t necessarily cause you any long-term harm to eat foods of which you are intolerant, though it can be uncomfortable and give you a little less overall quality of life. A vitamin deficiency, of course, is when you are not taking in enough of a certain vitamin in your diet. This can be harmful to you short- and long-term and also give you a lifelong problem if it is not properly diagnosed.
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency
The symptoms differ depending on the vitamin that you are missing, but some of the most general symptoms include:
• Weak and brittle hair and nails: When you notice that your hard feels dry, straw-like and seems prone to breaking, it could be a vitamin issue to blame instead of your shampoo usage. This is especially so if your nails are prone to breakage or weakening.
• Dandruff or skin scaling: Dandruff and skin rashes or scales can be fairly common, but if you notice that you have either or both of these issues and they are particularly stubborn, perhaps it’s time to look at your diet and see if the problem is there.
• Restless leg syndrome: This is best characterized as the irresistible need to move the legs, particularly when trying to rest or sleep. It could be due to a deficiency in your body that makes your muscles unable to relax properly.
If you know about food intolerances, you know that common symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach upset and fatigue. However, symptoms can also include skin rashes and discomfort in the muscles and joints. Sometimes, it can be difficult to figure out what the cause is, other than it being something you ate.
It’s important to factor in both
The best way to make sure that you alleviate these issues is to take each issue seriously on its own. Take an intolerance test and make sure that you understand what your body can and cannot handle. This will offer you support on an elimination diet. Once that is settled, take a look at your diet itself and pay special attention to the vitamins and minerals that you are getting (or not getting). If you are having difficulty getting all vitamins into your diet, you may want to consider a supplement or other additive to even out your eating habits.
Your body depends on you to interpret its problems and symptoms, as well as ensure that it is getting the right ingredients and nutrients in order to stay healthy and happy. Make sure you take each potential health issue seriously and give it the focus it deserves. It’ll all make for a better you.
