10 Ways Your Body Is Telling You You’re Running Low on Key Vitamins

Your body gives you a lot of information, including what's going on inside that you may not be able to see. The key is to pay attention to symptoms—sometimes sneaky ones—so you can get the nutrients you need to feel great again.

Close up of woman with hands in hair with dandruff
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Flaky scalp

Possible deficiency: Fatty acids

If you notice that you’ve got flakes raining down after you scratch your head, you automatically think dandruff. But it may also be because you’re not getting enough healthful fatty acids in your diet. “Essential fatty acids, like omega-3s, are a lubricant for our body,” explains Staci Small, RD, a dietitian and owner of The Wellness Philosophy in Greenwood, Indiana. Without it, you’ll go dry. Make sure to eat two fish meals per week to get in omega-3s, she says. Other fatty acids, like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are also important. Find these in walnuts and flaxseeds. Don’t like seafood? Here are 7 other omega-3-rich foods that aren’t fish.

Woman with hand in hair
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Thin, brittle hair

Possible deficiency: B vitamins

You hear all about how important the B vitamin biotin is for strong, healthy hair, and that’s true. However, running low on folate (also called folic acid) may also cause thin, brittle strands, says Small. Folate is often found in enriched grains like bread and cereal. Even one cup of white rice is an excellent source. But if you’ve been cutting out carbohydrates because you’re aiming to lose weight, you may be missing out without careful planning. Grains aren’t a must, though. A cup of raw spinach is a good source, says Small; a cup of cooked asparagus will give you 60 percent of your daily quota. Here are more signs you could be deficient in B vitamins.

Woman's hair with small amount of gray
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A graying part

Possible deficiency: Copper

If your part is looking unexpectedly silver lately, check your copper intake. “Copper plays a role in melanin production, which is what gives hair its color,” says Olivia Wagner, MS, RDN, a dietitian at WholeHealth Chicago. Consider getting your copper levels tested if your hair is going gray quickly or surprisingly early (like in your 20s without a family history). Oysters and other shell fish as well as dark leafy greens and prunes are all go-to sources, says the National Library of Medicine.

Cold sore on lip
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Cracks and sores in your mouth

Possible deficiency: B12

If your body needs more B12, you may notice that you’re getting ulcer-like lesions in your mouth or cracks on the sides. “I see people come in with this who have a B12 deficiency,” says Wagner. To correct that, she’ll look into a possible supplement, as well as advise adding more B12 sources into the diet. Get more poultry, (lean) red meat, and eggs. If you’re vegetarian, it’s a bit more of a challenge, but it’s doable with fortified foods, like non-dairy milk, cereal, and nutritional yeast. Here are more nutrients you could be missing if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

goosebumps
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Bumps on the backs of arms

Possible deficiency: Zinc and vitamin A

If your arms aren’t super smooth (a condition called keratosis pilaris) but you don’t know why and treating the bumps isn’t working well something could be missing from your diet. “Many patients have these little red bumps that don’t itch. I always look at their zinc and vitamin A levels,” says Small. That’s because both nutrients are vital for maintaining skin health, and play key roles in wound repair. To get enough, you can find zinc in poultry, hummus, and pumpkin seeds. Get vitamin A from sweet potatoes and cantaloupe. These are other great vitamins for your skin.

fingernail with ridges
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Fingernail ridges

Possible deficiency: Stomach acid

Having inadequate stomach acid doesn’t seem like a vitamin issue, but it can prevent you from breaking down nutrients in food and fully absorbing the vitamins and minerals you need. One possible cause: taking an over-the-counter heartburn medication, which will decrease your stomach acid, says Small. Some people find that taking some apple cider vinegar with water with a meal or taking a digestive enzyme (available as a supplement) can help. Bonus: “This can cut down on bloating after eating,” she says.

Woman at work with head on table surrounded by several cups of coffee
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Fatigue

Possible deficiency: Vitamin D

Being tired all the time, despite getting adequate sleep, is a red flag that your D is chronically low. “After people get more vitamin D, it’s amazing to hear them say they have so much more energy,” says Small. To fit more D into your diet, go for fortified dairy (yogurt, milk), non-dairy (almond or soy milk), certain fish (sardines), and even mushrooms grown under UV light. Here are more ways to get vitamin D from foods.

Large bruise on thigh
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Bruising on your legs

Possible deficiency: Vitamin C

If you merely bump into something and wind up with an enormous bruise, consider if you’re getting enough C. Vitamin C helps make collagen, which is involved in making blood vessels. Bruising often “may be a sign that you have weakened capillaries that allow you to bruise,” says Small. What’s more, stress saps your supply of vitamin C, meaning you may need more than you think. Strawberries, broccoli, and mango are all foods that have more C than an orange. Here are some more signs you’re running low on vitamin C.

Runner holding calf
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Calf cramps

Possible deficiency: Magnesium or calcium

As an electrolyte, magnesium plays an important role, along with calcium, in muscle contraction. “Getting what you need can make a world of difference,” says Small. She recommends food sources such as pumpkin seeds, bananas, and avocados for magnesium. As for calcium, fortified non-dairy milk often contains more than its cow milk counterpart. If you’re thinking of popping supplements instead of looking for food sources, keep in mind that some vitamins are a waste of money—and can even be dangerous.

Woman in pain holding her stomach
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Constipation

Possible deficiency: Fiber and magnesium

Being backed up (having fewer than three bowel movements per week) has at least a dozen possible causes. A couple common ones: A lack of fiber in the diet and being low on magnesium, a mineral that plays a role in moving stool along, says Wagner. Along with eating more magnesium-rich foods, you may also consider a 120 mg supplement of magnesium citrate and increasing until regularity improves, she advises. And don’t forget the fiber! Here are 30 ways to get more fiber into your diet without even trying.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, on November 01, 2019

Jessica Migala
Jessica Migala is a health reporter based in the Chicago area. She regularly writes on medical, health, fitness, nutrition, lifestyle topics for dozens of publications and major websites.