You may be doing everything right to keep your body in tip top shape, such as working out and eating right. After all, you eat three well balanced meals a day, exercise several times a week, and keep the stress of your job at bay with yoga and meditation. So why are you all of a sudden breaking out on your arms, experiencing numbness or tingling in your hands, and suffering from muscle cramps?
Why Your Dose of ‘D’ is So Important for Excellent Health
According to Dr. Susan Blum of the Blum Center for Health, you could be Vitamin D deficient—and it’s no laughing matter. While you may know that getting your daily dose of ‘D’ is important for bone health (keeping your bones as strong as they can be), what you may not know is that when you don’t get your 20 minutes a day of sunlight or take a supplement, a vitamin D deficiency can contribute to depression and high blood pressure.
Additionally, studies show that low levels of this vitamin can increase your risk for various forms of cancer, hypertension, and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Limit your risk for developing a deficiency of vitamin D by staying on the lookout—and listen to your body tell you to stop shunning the sun! Wondering if you’re at risk? Here are three big ways that your body is sending you a big message you’re low in this crucial vitamin.
You’re Losing More Hair Than Usual
Pay attention as you comb your hair each morning, because if you notice more hair on your brush than usual, your body may be sending you an important message. Get your blood levels checked for a deficiency of vitamin D, and take a daily supplement (or more) after consulting your doctor. If you’re deficient, you may need to take between 1,000-5,000 IU’s a day. An additional way to get your extra boost of ‘D’ is filling up on cooked eggs, avocadoes (great on salads or in a sandwich), and soybeans.
You Notice Acne on Your Legs or Arms
While you may not have the skin of a baby, you shouldn’t have acne-like white or red bumps on your arms or legs, making the surface appear ‘rough’. This physical symptom that shows up out of the blue is telling you that you need more iron, so fill up on 2,000 IU’s a day of the supplement, and eat tuna, salmon and broccoli (for an extra ‘oomph’ of calcium.)
Your Leg Cramps are Waking You Up at Night (And They Hurt!)
Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night, with excruciating leg muscle pain? Ouch, and talk about a rude awakening! Your body is sending you a message that you’re lacking calcium, potassium and magnesium, so be proactive and fill up on bananas, cherries, grapefruit and as many leafy vegetables as you can consume. While it may seem unrelated, muscle pain and vitamin D deficiency are connected and linked—causing many health risks if unrelated.
Pay attention to the strange and unusual physical symptoms that surface. When you focus on living the healthiest life possible and are conscious of the damage a deficiency can do, nothing is out of the realm of possibility for your life, your fitness goals and your future.
