In our fast-paced lives, understanding and fulfilling our body’s needs can be a challenge. The body tends to give us signs when it needs something, and ignoring those signs could lead to fatigue, poor immunity and a whole lot more. Find out how to understand these warning signals from your body, discover when to take vitamins and supplements, and how you can do it effectively.
Understanding your body’s needs
Think of your body like a car which requires regular maintenance and fuel. This fuel and maintenance can be in the form of a good diet, an active lifestyle and low stress environment. Cars have helpful lights that help a driver know when it’s time to top up the fuel and undergo a service. Unfortunately, we humans don’t have a big red engine light to tell us when something needs attention; the body has more subtle ways of letting us when it needs a top up of vitamins and minerals.
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency
Our bodies need a huge number of different vitamins and minerals to function well, so we wouldn’t be able to list the symptoms of vitamin deficiency for them all here. However, there are some common symptoms that you can look out for that could indicate certain vitamin levels are low.
Feeling fatigued or low: This is a common sign of a vitamin deficiency. If you are someone who doesn’t feel like doing anything, and experiences tiredness without physical activity or any obvious reason, you might have a vitamin C, D, or iron deficiency.
You’re often ill: If you seem to fall ill more often than your family and friends, you may have low immunity and it is quite possible that your body could also be low on nutrients like vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and immune function, which often needs a top-up during October-March with supplements.
Brittle hair and nails: This sign is often brushed off, but if you experience your hair falling out more than usual or if you notice your nails are dry, flaky and brittle, you may want to get your calcium levels checked. Calcium has a direct impact on the strength of your hair, nails, bones, and teeth. So don’t skip that glass of milk with breakfast.
While there’s a chance that you may not experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, if you are someone who is undergoing a chronic ailment or a pregnancy, your body’s need for nutrients would definitely be higher than usual. Consuming a balanced diet can help provide your body with all that it needs.
When to take vitamins and supplements
If any of the symptoms above seem familiar and you suspect that you may have a vitamin deficiency, it’s time to start taking vitamins and supplements.
However, the only way to know for certain if you are deficient in one (or multiple) vitamins is to get a blood test that will measure for specific vitamins. This is something that can be done through your GP or a specialist clinic. A health practitioner can use this information to appropriately diagnose and recommend treatment options based on the severity of your deficiency.
An increasingly common option for vitamin supplementation is the IV drip. A vitamin IV drip is an intravenous way of replenishing the body’s nutrient requirements. This is mostly used in cases where there is noticeable vitamin deficiency that requires fast treatment. What makes this treatment unique is the speed and efficacy of this procedure. The nutrients are directly delivered in the bloodstream via a cannula, enabling faster absorption, more vitamins to be utilised when compared to oral supplements, and ultimately quicker recovery of the body.
However, if you would rather have a different method of vitamin replenishment, vitamin tablets may be your preferred option.
Your body’s supplementation
It is crucial to remember that supplements are just that – supplementary. They may be able to fill in the gaps where your diet falls short, but they shouldn’t act as your primary source of nutrients. It is always prudent to consult your healthcare professional before undergoing any new supplementation – especially if you have existing medical conditions or are on medications. Happy healthing!