Are you craving fats? Like sugar, craving fatty foods signals your body is wanting specific nutrients. In this case, you're likely craving fat-soluble vitamins A, K, D and E.
If you feel like you get an appropriate amount of healthy fat in your diet and aren't restrictive, craving greasy foods can also be a sign of low calcium. Try increasing the amount of leafy greens and legumes in your diet.
In fact, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause mood swings and lead to binge eating. When women experience menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, fluctuating testosterone and estrogen levels may cause unique cravings. Stress also plays a crucial role in hormonal imbalances leading to cravings.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness.
Having inadequate levels of vitamin D may correlate with unintentional weight gain. A study on women over the age of 65 found that participants with a lower vitamin D level experienced more weight gain. A systematic review of 23 different studies found similar associations between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency can be subtle at first. Early symptoms may include a persistent tingling or prickly feeling in your feet or hands, weakness, numbness, imbalance, and mental problems such as confusion, depression, irritability and forgetfulness. Rarely, vitamin B-12 deficiency is a cause of dementia.
Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin. A smooth tongue.
A deficiency in magnesium may play a role in some intense cravings. Our magnesium intake in this country has dropped dramatically below the recommended 500 mg daily amount. Today, the average American only consumes 175–225 mg of magnesium per day.
Overall, B vitamins are regarded as essential supplements to curb sugar cravings. Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in your metabolism and energy, as well as the digestion of your food. It regulates the production of insulin. A zinc deficiency may result in sugar cravings and an increased appetite.
Scientists believe these cravings are triggered when the body produces too much cortisol—a stress hormone. Restrictive diets also can set up cravings for off–limits food.
Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins: Craving fatty foods can be due to a lack of fat or fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins E, D, K, and A) in your diet. You can satisfy this craving with fatty fish, avocados, or nuts and seeds.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can indeed lead to weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency. Instead, vitamin B12 deficiency causes lethargy or lack of energy, and in turn, inactivity causes weight gain. When you lack the energy to move, you don't burn fat.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms have started improving. Your GP or nurse will give the injections.
Diet. Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.
If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs. Fortified breakfast cereals are another great way to get more B12. It is possible that your provider may want you to take a vitamin B12 supplement in addition to your diet change.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can't work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
This mineral is involved in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, including every major organ function—especially the heart and brain. But did you know that there is a link between magnesium deficiency and weight gain? Your body depends on magnesium for a lot of processes, like: Maintaining healthy DNA.