We all want the best for our children, don’t we? We make all efforts to provide with the best and healthy environment for living, but sometimes despite putting so many efforts our children suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Many nutritional deficiencies can be genetic too but our diet plays a major role in determining the occurrence of these deficiencies. A well balanced, healthy diet can prevent these deficiencies from manifesting or at least reduce their risks on our body. If your child shows any of these few signs, then he/she might be having a nutritional deficiency.
10 Signs Of Nutritional Deficiencies In Children
Both depression and anxiety are related to the brain and can start with nutritional deficiency. Proteins contain amino acids. Proteins, specifically which are obtained from animal products contain all amino acids and are easily absorbed by the body. Our brain uses these amino acids to produce neurotransmitters. A proper balance of neurotransmitters like Serotonin, Endorphins, Catecholamines and GABA help in developing happiness and calmness in us. You can also take supplements with specific amino acid in some cases.
Hyperactivity can occur in children, teens and can prolong till adulthood also. This affects the normal school life of a child as he/she is not able to pay attention. Hyperactivity refers to the brain’s activity of remaining calm and passing information at the same time. The most closely related problem with hyperactivity is related to digestion.
Children with hyperactivity have poor bacterial flora and suffer from poor digestion. Doctors recommend removing processed foods and food dyes to help combat it. A good gut healing protocol which includes homemade probiotics helps in improving digestion.
3. Delayed Speech
A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to delayed speech in children. An increase in foods having vitamin B12 is better than taking supplements for it. The foods high in B12 are beef, chicken, meat, dairy, eggs, pork, shellfish. A child should be only given supplements for B12 when the deficiency is diagnosed. Children with B12 deficiency have delayed speech, language, and social delays.
4. Dry Skin/Hair
That split ends, dry, unmanageable and frizzy hair maybe only because of a vitamin deficiency. A deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K2 can cause dry skin and hair. According to researchers, these vitamins help in maintaining the right balance in the skin.
Lack of these vitamins can lead to a wrinkled, parched and dry skin. Your child’s hair too might also be suffering from a lack of vitamins and just by including these in your diet, unruly dry hair can become a thing of the past.
5. Crowding Of Teeth
The cause of your child’s crowded teeth can be the lack of proper nutrition. According to Dr.Weston A Price’s book “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” the people who ate modern, processed foods or children whose others ate a poor diet during pregnancy develop crowded teeth. Those who ate a full, well-balanced diet have a proper dental hygiene with appropriate spacing between the teeth. People eating a diet full of fats, animal proteins and properly prepared carbs have enough space for wisdom teeth.
Cavities in children are most commonly related to eating more chocolates and candies but the reason behind them might be the poor diet. Sometimes it’s not about how much sugar he is eating but actually but he’s not eating. Deficiency of vitamins like A, D and K can lead to cavities in your child.
7. Frequent Colds And Flus
Does your child catch a cold very easily? Lack of proper diet and vitamins causes frequent cold and flu. Try to include fresh fruits and vegetables to your child’s diet. Give him/her a well-balanced diet to boost his/her immunity.
8. Cranky Or Sporadic Emotions
If your child remains cranky or shows fluctuating moods now and then, it might be due to nutritional deficiency. Fats especially omega-3s found in salmon, sardines are important for good mood. Also, a proper balance of hormones is also essential for maintaining a good mood. A high amount of estrogen also leads to irritability and crankiness. Foods like carrot help in absorbing extra estrogen from our body. Make sure your child eats a carrot a day.
9. Poor Cranial Structure Or “Flat-Head” Syndrome
Linking back to DR. Weston A Price’s research he found out that the women who ate a proper diet during pregnancy gave healthy children. He observed that the development of cranial bones and the crowding of teeth both improve with the pregnant mother in taking rich saturated fats, whole proteins and well-prepared grains. Processed food including canned and packaged food should be completely avoided during pregnancy. A high number of vegetables and fruits should be included in the diet.
Whoever thought that obesity can be related to malnutrition? But that’s exactly why it happens in people. When we tend to eat more processed and packaged food our body starts craving for nutrition and that is the reason we never feel satisfied with these foods and tend to eat more instead of eating healthy. Our bodies can only feel satisfied with a balanced set of foods like butter, fruits, vegetables, proteins, eggs etc. When we start compromising on these foods and focus more on processed food, our body becomes malnourished and gets obese.
A child’s development starts right from when a woman is pregnant. Mothers should make sure to not eat processed foods and indulge in healthy eating habits. Consult a nutritionist if you want to. Also, as your child is growing to make a proper diet chart and include healthy food in his diet.
As soon as your child starts showing some sign consult a doctor. Make sure your child gets a playful and active environment. Take your time out for your child because mental health is equally important as physical health.