Manifestations of Micronutrient Deficiency

Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that our bodies need to function properly. They’re required in small amounts. However, they play a critical role in everything from immunity to mood. Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to serious health problems or they may simply make you feel tired and run-down. In this article we’ll explore some common manifestations of micronutrient deficiency.

Annamarie Salyer FNP-C is a functional medicine specialist at Bion Aesthetics and Med Spa in Indianapolis, IN offering micronutrients testing for patients near Greenwood, IN, Carmel, IN, and Fishers, IN.

Low immunity is often caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Several micronutrients are needed to regulate the complicated immune network which protects us against pathogens. For example, vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that helps the body fight off infections. Further, Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. Symptoms include fatigue and weakness, gum disease (gingivitis), loose teeth and poor wound healing.

Inflammation is made worse by micronutrient deficiencies. For example, deficiencies will cause inflammatory processes to grow out of control. When combined with other symptoms such as brain fog, poor sleep quality and mood swings this can indicate the presence of gut health issues. These issues may include leaky gut syndrome or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). However, the good news is adequate amounts of antioxidants suppress inflammation.

Fatigue and low stamina are two of the most common symptoms of micronutrient deficiency. The body’s energy levels are directly related to its ability to absorb, transport, and use nutrients from food. To be clear, if you aren’t getting enough of these nutrients in your diet, it can lead to chronic fatigue and an inability to perform physical activity for extended periods of time.

This is why many people associate fatigue with a lack of sleep or too much stress. However, there are also physiological reasons behind this phenomenon:

• Micronutrients like iron help carry oxygen throughout your body.
• Zinc supports immune function.
• Vitamin C aids collagen production (which keeps skin healthy).
• Calcium helps build strong bones.

If any one of these processes goes awry due to a lack or imbalance in certain vitamins/minerals, then you’ll start feeling tired faster than usual during everyday activities such as walking up stairs or carrying groceries home from the store.

Mood disorders are a type of mental illness that can be caused by low levels of certain nutrients. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, deficiencies in B vitamins, magnesium and zinc are linked to depression. Low serotonin levels may also contribute to depression because this neurotransmitter helps regulate moods and feelings of happiness. Further, individuals with micronutrient deficiencies often have high levels of stress hormones like cortisol which can cause them to experience anxiety or feel overwhelmed by their environment. These people are also more likely than others who don’t have these conditions to have low dopamine or norepinephrine levels–two neurotransmitters involved in regulating emotions such as happiness and pleasure.

Micronutrient deficiencies compromise hormone synthesis. If you have the micronutrients you need, hormones are more likely to be balanced and functioning well. For example, a low vitamin D level in women may lead to lowered estrogen levels, which can cause depression, hot flashes, mood swings and more. Alternatively, in men, low levels of vitamin D are independently associated with low levels of testosterone in healthy middle-aged men. Markedly, many nutrients, including vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, are important for maintaining optimal testosterone levels

Micronutrients regulate genetic expression. Some genes may dictate that you need more (or less) of a micronutrient to perform the same cellular functions as someone with a different gene. But the ultimate effect of genetically linked micronutrient deficiencies can be overcome with targeted supplementation.

Micronutrients testing is a comprehensive nutrient analysis. It measures functional deficiencies at the cellular level of a person’s nutritional status. The test is used to assess how efficiently the body utilizes 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants and metabolites. A simple blood /lab draw, it measures vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, minerals, metabolites on a more specific level.