If you see these 10 signs, you will know that you are suffering from malnutrition

There is no alternative to nutritious and balanced food to keep the body healthy. But many of us lack essential nutrients in our diet. We may be ignorantly eating these foods without essential nutrients. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition. Which affects the body in different ways. Know the 10 symptoms of malnutrition in the body.

 1. Tiredness

Many times feel tired without any effort. Many people gasped at the slightest action. This is often the case with iron deficiency. A lack of vitamin B complex or vitamin B12 can also cause fatigue. Lack of adequate caloric intake can also lead to fatigue. Thus, these nutrients must be taken to increase the strength of the body.

2. Hair Loss

Different nutrients (iron, meat or protein) are essential to keep the hair structure strong. Apart from this, lack of various vitamins, like biotin, vitamin D can also cause hair loss. These nutrients prevent hair thinning and promote hair growth. However, other diseases that cause hair loss should also be kept in mind.

3. Nail erosion and brittle nails

This is an important sign. However, other diseases can also cause nail loss or changes. If there are no signs or symptoms of those diseases, it may be due to malnutrition. Lack of nutrition can cause many changes in the nails. These changes include nail loss, white spots, brittle nails, and changes in nail structure. Zinc, iron, biotin—these nutrients can be deficient.

4. Dry skin

If the body is dehydrated, the skin becomes dry, sometimes the skin sags. Fatty acid deficiency can also occur. Some vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, also cause dry skin. These nutrients are essential to maintain the flexibility of the skin.

5. Weak immunity

Repeated bacterial infections in the body (such as fever, chills after several days) can be signs of malnutrition. This can be seen in the lack of vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D. These food ingredients increase immunity.

6. Chewing muscles

Many people say they feel ‘rubbing’ or discomfort. In medical terms it is called ‘cramps’. It can be caused by many problems, but it is a symptom of malnutrition. Certain minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) help maintain muscle balance. Deficiency of these salts can often cause this problem. So these salt-rich foods should be kept in the diet.

7. Craving for unhealthy foods

Magnesium salt controls our appetite. Sweet or salty foods indicate imbalance. Craving snacks such as chips, fried foods, and fast food shows the body needs salt or sugar balance.

8. Dry the wound slowly

Many times it is seen that wounds do not want to dry easily. It is an indication of weak immunity. Although it can be like this in some other diseases including diabetes. Most of the time, it is due to the lack of some nutrients. These include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, and zinc. These vitamins are essential for collagen, which is needed for wound healing. Also, non-vegetarian food produces antibodies in the body, which increases immunity. Therefore, the same symptoms are seen in the deficiency of non-vegetables in the diet.

9. Weakness and dizziness

Such symptoms are seen when there is a deficiency of iron or sugar. However, there are many reasons for such symptoms, which the doctor will analyze and determine the cause.

10. Depression

A change in the balance of certain chemicals in our brain can lead to mental problems or symptoms. Emotional instability, even depression can occur. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex can cause this.

These symptoms can be caused by various diseases as well as nutritional deficiencies. Consult a medical specialist for this. He will treat the symptoms after reviewing them. Do not self-medicate.

Md. Iqbal Hossain, Senior Nutrition Officer, Chittagong Diabetic General Hospital.