What your body's telling you

Last updated: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 Print

Sometimes your body is trying to tell you something - such as that it is suffering from a vitamin shortage, that it's not getting enough sleep and that it's really sick and tired of hamburgers and chips.

It isn't always easy to know how to interpret these signals. What are these signs your body is giving you, and what does it need you to do?

Signs or symptoms	Possible deficiencies	Foods to eat
brittle or split nails	iron, zinc, essential fatty acids	meat, legumes, fish
dry eyes	vitamin A, essential fatty acids	dairy products, green, yellow and orange fruit, vegetables
cracked corners of the mouth	iron, vitamins B12, B6, folic acid	meat, legumes, dairy products, green vegetables
mouth ulcers	iron, vitamins B12, B6, folic acid	meat, legumes, dairy products, green vegetables
cracked lips	vitamin B2	dairy products, meat
enlarged taste buds	vitamins B2 or B6	dairy products, meat, fish, poultry
red greasy skin on face	vitamins B2, B6, zinc or essential fatty acids	dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, shellfish
pimples on upper arms and thighs	vitamin B complex, vitamin E, essential fatty acids	animal products, fortified cereals, poultry, seafood
poor hair growth	iron or zinc	meat, legumes, dairy, shellfish
dandruff	vitamins C, B6, zinc, essential fatty acids	citrus fruits, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products
acne	zinc	dairy products, shellfish
bloodshot eyes	vitamins A, B2	dairy products, green, yellow and orange fruit, vegetables, meat
slow wound healing	zinc	dairy products, shellfish
depression	vitamin B6	meat, fish, poultry