We tend to ignore minor symptoms until they impact the immune system or interfere with our daily functioning. This is a mistake. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Discovery Health’s Mystery Diagnosis, you know that disease doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Your body’s signs and symptoms tell you a story and are often evidence of an imbalance or deficiency. Here are a few common complaints and the issues that may lie beneath them.

Cold hands and feet. If you often feel colder than those around you, especially in the extremities, the cause might be an underactive thyroid. Other symptoms of hypothyroid include a sluggish metabolism, cravings for salty food, very low energy in the morning, and dry skin. Introduce iodized sea salt and seaweeds like kelp, nori, and dulse to your diet, and ask your family doctor for a TSH test to examine thyroid hormone levels. 1

Spastic colon or irritable bowel. The diagnosis of “irritable bowel disease” is not as daunting as it sounds. Loose stools are often associated with the poor digestion of a food, a single ingredient, or a combination of ingredients. Throw stress into the mix, and identifying the cause becomes even more of a challenge. If your doctor could follow you around monitoring what you eat, the culprit might be pinpointed more readily; of course, that isn’t possible, so it’s up to you to identify the offending ingredient(s). Maintain a food journal for at least three weeks, detailing each food and drink you consume. Also record descriptions of bowel movements. Note when they occur. You will likely observe a pattern before long. The most common suspects: dairy, wheat, gluten, and caffeine. Electro-dermal testing may also help you short-list problematic foods. 2

Earlobe crease. Although it is not understood why, the presence of a sharp, diagonal crease in the earlobe may be an indicator of heart disease. While a crease does not substantiate impending heart disease, it is of value to have your family physician or cardiologist explore other risk factors. 3

Hair greying prematurely. You may have noticed that people in high-stress jobs tend to go grey prematurely. B vitamins, the main supporters of the nervous system, are partly responsible for hair pigmentation. Stress rapidly depletes B vitamins, namely pantothenic acid, PABA, biotin, and folic acid, the nutrients most likely to affect hair color. Taking a B complex vitamin may help restore your natural hair color. You can always try this tried-and-tested old wives remedy: take 2 tbsp. of blackstrap molasses daily. Before long, your natural hair color will return. 4

Fingernails break or chip easily. The strength of your nails represents the strength of your bones. Splitting or chipping fingernails may be a sign of low calcium. While the reason could be that you’re washing too many dishes, this is an important sign. Watch out for calcium-depleters like caffeine, carbonated beverages, and excess sugar. Of the many food sources of calcium, some of the best include dairy products (always choose organic), cooked broccoli, cooked kale, almonds, and tahini. 5

References:

1. Arem, R., The Thyroid Solution, Ballentine Books, 1999.

2. http://www.drcarolyndean.com/articles_what_causes_ibs.html

3. drweil.com/.../QAA400530/Do-Earlobe-Creases-Predict-Heart-Trouble.html

4. Haas, E., Staying Healthy With Nutrition, Celestial Arts, 2006.

5. Rowland, D., www.betterbodycare.com.