Vitamins and minerals are important for bodily functions, especially in women, as they play a vital role in increasing immunity, fighting infections, strengthening bones and regulating hormones. As such, a deficiency must be managed immediately to avoid escalating into serious health complications. However, since the symptoms may be subtle at first, many women are unable to identify them. So what can be done?
According to Dr N Sapna Lulla, Lead Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, minerals play a very important role in women’s overall health, hormonal balance, and reproductive well-being. Many women ignore early warning signs of mineral deficiency, assuming they are due to stress, ageing, or a busy lifestyle.
Here are some common mineral deficiency symptoms women tend to ignore:
Sodium deficiency can cause frequent headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, and feeling dizzy, especially in women who sweat a lot, follow very low-salt diets, or drink excess water.
Magnesium deficiency often shows as fatigue, muscle cramps, poor sleep, anxiety, headaches, and irregular periods, and it can worsen premenstrual symptoms and mood changes.
Potassium deficiency may lead to muscle weakness, leg cramps, constipation, heart palpitations, and low energy levels, especially in women with a poor diet or long-term medication use.
Calcium deficiency is common in women and can cause bone pain, back pain, weak nails, frequent fractures, dental problems, and muscle spasms, increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Are you suffering from a mineral deficiency? (Source: Freepik)
Zinc deficiency may result in frequent infections, hair fall, delayed wound healing, acne, loss of taste or smell, and menstrual irregularities. It also affects fertility and skin health.
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Iron deficiency is very common in women due to menstruation and pregnancy, and symptoms include constant tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness, hair loss, dizziness, and poor concentration.
Selenium deficiency can cause weak immunity, hair thinning, muscle pain, fatigue, and thyroid-related problems, which are often overlooked in women.
Copper deficiency may lead to anemia that does not improve with iron, numbness, weak immunity, bone weakness, and early greying of hair.
“If these symptoms persist, women should consult a doctor for proper evaluation and blood tests, as early diagnosis and balanced nutrition can prevent long-term health issues,” said Dr Lulla.
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Exercising regularly and taking a nutritious diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, should suffice. According to her, adequate quantity of minerals can be acquired from the following sources: calcium from milk, curds, cheese, selenium from eggs and brazil nuts, iron from spinach, kale and leafy greens, potassium from banana, chickpeas and seafood for zinc, and nuts, seeds, and whole grains for magnesium.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
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