The meaning of signs & symptoms in your body
The science of Nutrition Focus Physical Exam (NFPE) answers some of these questions with science-based evidence. NFPE is taught at medical colleges and universities to help in the assessment, diagnosis, interventions, monitoring, and evaluation (ADIME) of patient’s nutritional status. These steps help combat malnutrition and chronic health conditions like Diabetes Mellitus (DM2), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and many other chronic health conditions. I am going to introduce you to some of the signs that may present in the human body that are indicators of subclinical nutritional health conditions, as well as chronic health conditions. Let’s start with the eyes.
The condition of the eyes can tell the nutritional status of the individual and other disease related health conditions. For example, a yellow sclera of the eyes and skin are an indicator of health status of the liver and acute liver disease like hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contamination of water or during poor hygiene preparation of foods (quick onset). You see hepatitis A outbreaks announced on the news all the time due to poor hygiene practices by employees of a food establishment (not washing hands after using bathroom). Yellow sclera of the eye (photo 1) can also manifest due to chronic liver disease with “Ascites.” Ascites, manifest from many other conditions like fatty liver, and alcoholic induce fatty liver. The liver stops working properly and during the end stage fluids and water accumulation develops in the middle or abdominal cavity (male apple shape, greater 40 inches waist circumference/females greater than 35” waist circumference, pear shape), see photo 3. Bags under the eyes, are a sign of fluid (edema) accumulation (photo 4), and it might be possibly related to allergies (environmental or food) or possibly kidney function related. Edema can also present in the ankles and legs and is related to heart/kidney health (best supported with B vitamins and choline. Sunken eyes are a sign of fat loss due possibly to malnutrition or poor absorption of nutrients due to gastrointestinal health (photo 5).
The skin provides many clues into status of the health condition of an individual, and it should not be overlooked. There are literally thousands of skin and disease conditions study everyday, and this includes skin cancers. We are going to visit few common conditions here. Brown skin spots on the face are very common and sometimes are related to age, but are really related to liver health. The brown skin spots are also present in liver cirrhosis (a condition in which the liver is permanently scared and damaged and unable to work properly, also known as end stage liver disease. Red skin blemishes are related to gastrointestinal health and malabsorption of nutrients.
Hyper black pigmentation of the folds of the neck area and arm pits known as Acanthosis Nigricans. This hyper black pigmentation of the neck and arm pits is seen in obese people, Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) and insulin resistant individuals. There are 3 types of ethnic groups that have a propensity for DM2, insulin resistant, and cardiovascular disease. They are Hispanics, African American, and Native Americans. Last, fingernails are an extension of the skin and made out of keratin too. If you see vertical lines it indicates an iron deficiency, horizontal lines indicates a zinc and calcium deficiency, brittle nails iron anemia, spoon shape nails is related to iron, or non-nutrition causes DM2, lupus, and hypothyroidism. A visible goiter in the neck area is due to iodine deficiency, and it affects the thyroid function. Iodine deficiency is a problem in other countries like India (related to soil content) and not a problem in the US. Selenium is a key nutrient for thyroid function, and is an antioxidant mineral. Hair, nails, and skin need a daily nutritional supply of protein to maintain good health and avoid breakage of hair, nails, or skin integrity.
Therefore in order to maintain optimal health, there is a need for annual checkups done by a dermatologist and your regular MD to rule out cancer or other metabolic conditions that can lead to mortality. This article has touched briefly on just some of the physical signs related to nutrition and metabolic health. In the future, this topic will be addressed again with other vitamins like B complex vitamins and other minerals.
Please remember this blog is for educational purposes and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.