Tuesday, July 18, 2017 –
Having gastroparesis requires us to pay close attention to what we put into our bodies. But many people forget, what we put on the outside of our bodies is just as important.
I’m an avid supporter of organic products, no animal testing and products free of harsh, too long to pronounce, chemicals. So when I found a company in the UK called Naturally Better You, that creates products based on that same philosophy I had to check them out. But wait, what does this have to do with gastroparesis?! Depending on how familiar you are with the disease, you may not know that many people (and maybe even you) suffer from vitamin deficiencies.
Being deficient in certain essential vitamins can cause a mountain of additional symptoms. One way to find out if your body is lacking in the vitamin department is by looking at your skin.
Clues you might be vitamin deficient:
• Skin cracking at the corners of your mouth
• A red, scaly rash on your face or body and hair loss
• Red or white acne-like bumps, typically on the cheeks, upper arms, thighs, and butt
• Tingling, prickling, and numbness in hands, feet or elsewhere
• Muscle cramps (charlie horse) in the form of stabbing pains in toes, calves, arches of feet, and backs of legs (this can also happen from dehydration)
Having gastroparesis and/or suffering from malnutrition from gastroparesis can cause several deficiencies, but there are a few vitamins that are most commonly related to gastroparesis and GI problems.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be deficient due to dietary issues and iron deficiency can also affect vitamin A. Having an infection can also be very draining on vitamin A.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency:
• Reduced night vision
• Dry Eyes
• Rough Skin
• Dry Skin
• Vulnerability to respiratory and urinary infections
Sources of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene (which is a precursor for vitamin A):
• VItamin A comes from animal sources such as eggs and meat
• Beta-Carotene comes from green, leafy vegetables and intensely colored fruits and vegetables
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Most vitamin B1 deficiency is the beginning stages of cellular starvation. The cells do not have the energy to function any longer. In muscle cells, a short term vitamin B1 deficiency will result in muscle fatigue, tenderness, and weakness. Vitamin B1 helps the body convert food into energy, and aids the function of the heart and cardiovascular system and the brain and nervous system.
Symptoms of Vitamin B1 Deficiency:
• Vomiting
• Mental confusion
• Pain
• Weight loss
• Difficulty walking
• Tingling or loss of feeling in hands and feet
Sources of Vitamin B1:
• Fish and lean meats
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin deficiency is a condition that occurs when a person doesn’t get enough or can’t absorb niacin or tryptophan (the ingredient that makes you sleepy found in turkey).Tryptophan is one of the amino acids that make up the protein.
Symptoms of Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Indigestion
• Fatigue
• Canker Sores
• Vomiting
• Thick, scaly pigmented rash
• Headache
Sources of B3
• Poultry, fish, lean meat, nuts and eggs
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has many important functions in the body, including keeping your nerves and red blood cells healthy. It also helps maintain a healthy digestive system.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
• Anemia
• Behavioral changes
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Extreme Fatigue
• Weakness
Sources of Vitamin B12
• Sardines
• Lamb
• Feta Cheese
• Eggs
If you suffer from gastroparesis, it’s a good idea to have request your doctor to run routine blood work to check a complete blood count (CBC) and possible nutrient deficiencies. It could be the cause of several uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms.
Some of my other favorite alcohol-free products from this great company are (Click product images for more details on a specific product):
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