People suffering from gastrointestinal issues, whether it be from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), candidiasis or ulcerative colitis, can have a great deal of inflammation in their gut lining. With inflammation, that once-tight brick lining that forms the gut wall, begins to separate, giving way to more inflammation, leaky gut, food intolerances and, ultimately, nutrient deficiencies.

Other factors that contribute to nutrient deficiencies in people who suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases include: blood loss, bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption and inability to consume adequate nutrition. When dealing with any health conditions affecting the gut, many people struggle with lack of energy, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep issues, hair loss and more.

Most of the time it is not necessarily the inflammatory condition that is the only cause of these ailments, but the underlying co-existing nutrient deficiencies that are often unaddressed and overlooked.

The Nutrient Symptom Link

Supplementation with vitamins and minerals needs to be taken into consideration for those coping with inflammatory bowel diseases. Nutrient deficiencies commonly coincide with these conditions and have clinical significance.

Here is a general rundown of a few of the most common nutrient deficiencies and some of their common associated symptoms:

Iron: fatigue, hair loss, headaches, pale skin, restless leg syndrome, palpitations, depression, frequent illnesses

Vitamin C: slow wound healing, bumpy skin, easily bruises, bleeding gums, hair loss, fatigue, vertical lines in nails

Zinc: frequent illnesses, rash around mouth, acne, thinning of the hair, canker sores, difficulty concentrating

Selenium: fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, muscle weakness, decreased immunity

Magnesium: muscle cramps, poor sleep, abnormal heart rhythm, anxiety, headaches, migraines, fatigue

Vitamin D: fatigue, hair loss, low immunity, depression, cognitive impairment, bone pain, slow wound healing

Various B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and B6: impaired cognitive health, mood swings, mouth ulcers, paresthesia, decreased energy metabolism, impaired methylation

The Domino Effect

Along with the above mentioned symptoms that many people with gastrointestinal conditions experience, when left untreated, nutrient deficiencies can take a toll on one’s health and lead to more health problems. Insufficient levels of nutrients in the body can eventually lead to many health problems, such as insulin resistance, mood disorders, thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune diseases.

When it comes to mood disorders, there are hundreds of successful studies that can be found in many peer-reviewed journals, such as Journal of Psychopharmacology, the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine and the British Medical Journal, that provide evidence and support of the role nutrients play in depression. It is also important to mention that zinc plays a much bigger role beyond the immune system. Deficiency can perpetuate underlying pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases and contribute to psychiatric conditions through zinc’s role in the gut-brain axis.

Since nutrient deficiencies can overlap with similar symptom presentations, it is in the best interest of one’s health to have a thorough assessment to identify specific nutrient deficiencies. Proper supplementation will not only improve symptoms associated with deficiencies, but the overall outcome of physical and mental health.

To take control of our health, we must first and foremost find the cause of our gut issues, and address it. For some, it’s an easy fix—identifying foods that are causing the ailments and eliminating them. For others, it can take some investigation. Is it Candida? Is it SIBO? Infectious? Psychosomatic? Or could the cause of the gut issues be due to a health issue that does not directly involve the gut, but is causing gastrointestinal distress?

Once identified, through many scientifically proven herbs and supplements, in time, gut health can be restored. It just may take time and patience. Dietary changes are also very beneficial to re-establishing gut health. Be mindful that there are many types of diets, but they are not one-size-fits-all. Use these diets as a foundation and find what works best. Comprehensive treatment involving addressing the underlying cause of the gastrointestinal issue and supportive care with appropriate nutrient supplementation is the key to attaining health.

Dr. Veena Verma-Dzik, ND, FIAMA practices at 105 Danbury Rd, in Ridgefield. Connect at 203-431-9726, InsightCounselingLLC.com or DoctorVeena.com. See ad, page 17.