Tell Me What You Eat – And I Will Tell You Who You Are

Maimonides wisely warned that a 'healthy soul resides in a healthy body,' and all the external signs that come into contact with our body are merely a mirror of what is happening within the soul. However, Maimonides also stated that all the ailments that befall us stem mainly from the nature of the foods we consume – in terms of their freshness and components.

In this article, we aim to highlight several external phenomena in our bodies that indicate a deficiency in vitamins found in certain foods. Increasing the consumption of these foods will bring about the desired change in overcoming the phenomenon, or at least reducing it:

Dry Skin

Dry skin may indicate a serious deficiency in Vitamin A, which maintains the vitality of the tissues in the skin; Vitamin E, which protects the cell membrane; and Omega 3, which influences various processes in the body, including skin renewal.

Recommendation

Increase the intake of these vitamins through foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and cabbage (Vitamin A), fruits, and legumes (Vitamin E), and fatty fish such as salmon.

Excessive Hair Loss

If it occurs at a relatively young age, it may suggest a severe deficiency in folic acid, Vitamin B5, or Vitamin B6. All of these are responsible for a chain of actions that help build the protein responsible for strengthening hair.

Recommendation

Eating peas, spinach, and whole grains will provide your body with large quantities of these vitamins.

Sudden Tooth Decay

This phenomenon occurs mainly when there is a severe deficiency in calcium and Vitamin B6, which aid in creating the protective enamel coating for the teeth. A significant lack of enamel will lead to decayed, diseased, weak, and cavity-filled teeth.

Recommendation

Consume legumes such as rice and chickpeas, and increase the intake of calcium-rich dairy products.

Colorless Tongue

This phenomenon of an extremely pale or 'colorless' tongue usually indicates a low level of iron in the blood, which sometimes also points to anemia.

Recommendation

Alongside medical tests and consultations, increase the consumption of legumes such as beans and peas and eat liver and nuts, foods known for their high iron levels.

Graying Hair

Heard of pantothenic acid? If not, it's worth learning about, as it is responsible, among other things, for the pigment of our hair.

Recommendation

Increase the intake of Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid), primarily found in potatoes, sweet potatoes, and zucchini.

Knee Reflexes

The phenomenon of knee reflexes indicates that the knees are too weak. This results from a deficiency in a vital mineral called magnesium, which is responsible for the proper functioning of muscles, their stability, and their strength.

Recommendation

Almonds, bananas, and dark chocolate are the perfect combination to boost magnesium levels in the body to the desired level.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are usually caused by a deficiency in Vitamin C or Vitamin P, which help maintain healthy gums, strengthen the tissue around them, and prevent them from being contaminated by harmful bacteria.

Recommendation

Increase the consumption of citrus fruits and peppers, which contain a relatively high amount of Vitamin C.

Wishing you a healthy, vibrant winter!