28 Subtle Signs of Imbalance

Our body speaks to us in small ways that might not seem significant unless you know about these possible connections. What is listed below is just a sample, it is not necessarily complete nor necessarily proven with scientific studies ,but it should at least give you an idea. For thousands of years, Chinese medicine has been much more observant of such clues and even small differences in the feeling of the pulse. Perhaps they did so because, without modern testing, they simply had to pay attention to clues. The items listed may not be the only cause of the clue, but they are common and a place to start your search. Often it may not be necessary to supplement individual nutrients if you have made a more global change in diet or lifestyle such as those covered in the Library page “Basics of Health”.

Clue = something out of balance Possible Inadequacy or Connection
Cold sensitivity Thyroid, Magnesium, iodine
Constipation Magnesium, fiber, water, food sensitivity
Cramping Minerals (Magnesium or potassium likely)
Cravings for Chocolate Magnesium
Ear wax excess Low essential fatty acids
Eye brows – outside 1/3 gone Thyroid
Gums – Bleeding Vitamin C or CoQ10
Hearing Vitamin A
Hair thinning Thyroid, medications, many nutrients
Lips – Dry Inadequate water
Mouth – Cracks at corners B vitamins, perhaps iron or zinc
Nails – Pale Iron
Nails – thin Biotin, protein, Thyroid
Nails – White spots Zinc
Nerves – Jumpy Magnesium, copper, B vitamins
Perspiration on Head to excess Vitamin D
Red spots, small on skin Vitamin C
Skin – dry, flaky on legs, feet Essential fatty acids (Booklet)
Skin – “tags”, e.g. on neck Blood sugar instability
Sulfite sensitivity (Wine) Molybdenum inadequacy
Tingling in extremities Blood sugar, chiropractic, B-vitamins
Tongue – pale Iron
Tongue – teeth leave impression Nutrient malabsorption. See digestion.
Tongue – red, bumps, grooves, etc. Many. Search for “tongue diagnosis”
Tongue – white coating Yeast
Upper arms, “chicken skin” bumps Vitamin A and/ or essential fatty acids (Booklet)
Waist, women over 35″, men 40″ Insulin sensitivity
Warts Vitamin A

Copyright 2006, 2014, 2023 by Martie Whittekin, CCN