Sometimes your body is trying to tell you something - such as that it is suffering from a vitamin shortage, that it's not getting enough sleep and that it's really sick and tired of hamburgers and chips.
We tend to notice the big things, such as migraines and terrible leg cramps or constant diarrhoea. But little things easily pass us by.
It isn't always easy to know how to interpret these signals that your body is giving you.
In fact, sometimes you could be struggling with something for years without knowing what it is your body is trying to tell you.
These are often not life-threatening things, but mildly irritating and constant things, such as a few mouth ulcers, or brittle nails or a greasy skin.
What are these signs your body is giving you, and what does it need you to eat to rectify the situation?
Check out this quick guide below.
Signs or symptoms | Possible deficiencies | Foods to eat |
brittle or split nails | iron, zinc, essential fatty acids | meat, legumes, fish |
dry eyes | vitamin A, essential fatty acids | dairy products, green, yellow and orange fruit, vegetables |
cracked corners of the mouth | iron, vitamins B12, B6, folic acid | meat, legumes, dairy products, green vegetables |
mouth ulcers | iron, vitamins B12, B6, folic acid | meat, legumes, dairy products, green vegetables |
cracked lips | vitamin B2 | dairy products, meat |
enlarged taste buds | vitamins B2 or B6 | dairy products, meat, fish, poultry |
red greasy skin on face | vitamins B2, B6, zinc or essential fatty acids | dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, shellfish |
pimples on upper arms and thighs | vitamin B complex, vitamin E, essential fatty acids | animal products, fortified cereals, poultry, seafood |
poor hair growth | iron or zinc | meat, legumes, dairy, shellfish |
dandruff | vitamins C, B6, zinc, essential fatty acids | citrus fruits, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products |
acne | zinc | dairy products, shellfish |
bloodshot eyes | vitamins A, B2 | dairy products, green, yellow and orange fruit, vegetables, meat |
slow wound healing | zinc | dairy products, shellfish |
depression | vitamin B6 | meat, fish, poultry |
(Information from Every Woman's Health Guide by Maryon Stewart and Dr Alan Stewart)
Read more in Health24's extensive vitamin and mineral guide.