Chances are you will notice an impending health issue before your doctor can. A lab test often picks up abnormalities only after things have progressed.

Real prevention starts with reading your own subclinical signs and symptoms and taking steps to remedy issues with diet and lifestyle before you find yourself head first in an MRI or at the pharmacy counter.

The following are common signs of nutrient imbalances. If symptoms worsen or persist, be sure to see your doctor. If you want to know more about nutritional approaches to issues such as these, email me.

Low energy, feeling blue: low vitamin D (best obtained from sunlight); low blood sugar; excess sugar intake; adrenal burnout; *low thyroid; infection; B vitamin deficiency (especially B12); poor digestion/assimilation; lack of sleep, not enough or too much exercise; allergies; poor gut bacteria; antibiotics

Anxiety: deficiencies of zinc, magnesium or B vitamin complex; lack of omega-3 fats; low fat diet; excess sugar; low blood sugar; gluten reaction; excess caffeine; dehydration; chocolate or coffee overdose; antibiotics

Weak and/or painful muscles: low levels of vitamin D or vitamin B12; not enough protein; statins and other drugs

Muscle cramps: low magnesium or potassium; electrolyte depletion; poor digestion/assimilation

Brain fog/memory problems: low vitamin B12 and/or folate (or higher than normal need); omega-3 fat deficiency; yeast overgrowth; too much sugar or grains; *low thyroid; statins or other drugs

Dizziness/lighted headedness: iron deficiency; low blood sugar; high sugar diet; dehydration, low blood pressure; blood pressure meds

Insomnia: deficiencies of zinc, magnesium and/or vitamin B12; hypoglycemia; low melatonin; imbalanced adrenals/elevated cortisol; too many hours at work, in front of a screen or behind the wheel

Over-appetite: not enough good fats; low-fat diet; not enough fluids; not enough minerals; eating too fast; hypoglycemia

Bloating & gas: too many raw foods and/or legumes; SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth); not chewing enough; poor gut bacteria

Falling hair: *low thyroid; protein deficiency; excess sugar; mineral deficiency;  hormone imbalance (excess androgens)

Dry skin: omega-3 fat deficiency; low fat diet/not absorbing fats; *low thyroid; zinc deficiency

Feeling cold: overly cooling diet; low iron; iodine deficiency; *low thyroid

Geographic tongue: B vitamin complex deficiency; *low thyroid

 Common drug side effects may appear like nutrition issues and include: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, pain, stomach aches, and skin reactions

*Low thyroid signs may result from specific nutrient deficiencies; a high raw cruciferous vegetables or soy intake; fluoride or chlorine in water and is often corrected naturally.