Nutrient Chart

Nutrient Function Deficiency Other data

• Difficulty seeing in the dark or adjusting to bright lights.

• Follicular Hyperkeratosis (goose flesh – follicles on the
skin become plugged, causing bumpy rough skin which
is on the palms, soles of the feet, elbows, knees, etc.).
• Decreased gland secretion – vaginal, perspiration • Liver damage
decrease, dry mouth, dry eyes.
• Digestive problems
• Kidney stones
Vitamin A Vision, bone, teeth, immune, skin and mucus membranes
• Sties in the eye lid
• Decrease bile
• Poor immune system • Essential Fatty Acid deficiency
• Acne • Zinc deficiency
• Fatigue
• Burning, itching eyes
• Sinus mucous membrane trouble
• Dryness of the eye (conjunctivitis)

• Tired weak heart

• Loss of myelin – peripheral neuropathy
• Calf tenderness
• Nightmares • Decreases pancreas function
• Restless legs
Carbohydrate metabolism, needed for acetylcholine, • Decrease liver function
• Nervous
which is needed to myelin production, nervous system • Decrease adrenal function
Vitamin B1 function and cardiovascular function. Provides the co-
• Anxiety
• Diabetic
• Muscle weakness
factor for glucose metabolism. Makes neurotransmitters. • Loss of appetite • Excess sugar, alcohol (alcoholics) or refined carbohydrate function.
• Headache • Gastric bypass and stomach stapling
• Depression
• Muscle wasting
• Edema (fluid retention in legs)

• Cracked red lips and tongue

• Cracked corners of lips
B2 • Blood shoot eyes • Decrease iron
Energy production, required for the metabolism of fats,
• Itchy, watery eyes • Intestinal issues
(Riboflavin) carbohydrates and proteins.
• Scrotal skin inflammation • Deficiency of B2 depletes B6
• Sore throat
• Inflamed tongue

• Muscle weakness
• Lack of appetite • Decreased tryptophan, which makes B3
DNA repair, raw material for steroids (ex. Adrenal • Digestive problems • Decrease in the consumption of protein.
hormones), assist in keeping cholesterol normal, breaks • Low tolerance to cold • Alcohol depletes this nutrient
B3 (Niacin) down fat and assist in stabilizing blood sugars. Lowers • Loss of memory (dementia) • Deficiencies of iron can create deficiencies of B3
cholesterol. • Skin inflammation (dermatitis) • Excessive corn products inhibit B3, because corn binds with niacin –
• Redness around neck adding lime will release it.
• Diarrhea

• Morning stiffness
• Fatigue
Supports the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates • Burning feet
• Acne
B5 and fats
• Excess soreness after exercise (poor recovery).
(Pantothenic • Irritability
• Insomnia
acid) • Apathy
• Muscle cramps
• Low blood sugar
• Tingling, pricking, or numbness

Supports more than 100 different enzymes involved in • High homocycteine levels • People on low vegetable and fruit diets have low B6
metabolism, blood cell creation, amino acids creation and • Cardiovascular weakness
• Alcohol depletes B6
neurotransmitter synthesis. Without B6, all amino acids • Depression
B6 become essential, meaning they can’t be made from the • Headaches
• Liver damage inhibits B6
body. Needed to make serotonin. Converts tryptophan • Dandruff • Mega doses (2000mg/day) can cause irreversible nerve damage and
to B vitamins. • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome numbness.

• Anemia • B12, B6 deficiency can increase the need for B9.

• Neural tube defects (spinal bifida)
Important in the formation of new cells, especially • Diet low in raw vegetables
• Cleft palate
infancy and pregnancy. Supports metabolism, blood • Alcohol depletes B9
B9 (Folate) and growth development and nerves. Needed for energy
• Sore tongue
• Excessive dieting creates deficiencies.
• Depression
production. • Anxiety • Damaged GI tract
• Fatigue • Pregnancy and lactation increases the need for B9
 • Feeling of strange tiredness despite sufficient sleep.
• Shortness of breath
• Heavy breathing while climbing stairs
• Sighs or yawns frequently
• Swollen tongue
• Feeling of stomach fullness
Support liver function, blood cells and gastro-intestinal • Brittle nails both on hands and feet • Loss of intrinsic factor through ulcers of the stomach
B12 tract. • Pins and needles, especially on tips of fingers and toes • Stomach damage
• Brain fog
• Loss of memory
• Irritability; mood swings
• Numbness in fingers and feet as though you are wearing
socks and gloves
• Nerve pain in bottom of feet (peripheral neuropathy)

• Gums bleed easily after brushing.

• Swollen, red gums.
• Dental periodontal destruction
• Sore burning mouth
• Anemic
Necessary for the production of connective tissue • Shortness of breath *Bruises easily
(collagen)-supporting gums, blood capillaries, bone;
• Nose bleeds • History of high doses of ascorbic acid can deplete vitamin C complex
• Loss of cartilage factors leading to symptoms of vitamin C deficiency
Vitamin C necessary for the transport of fatty acids into the
• Slow wound healing • Excess vitamin C will enhance Iron in the blood, so people who have
mitochondria. Vitamin C supports the lymphocyte
• Poor immunity excess iron disorders need to be aware of this.
enhancing immunity. • Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Low tolerance to stress (irritability)
• Joint pain, especially in the knees
• Loose teeth
• Atherosclerosis

• Easily gets sunburn or sun stroke

• Osteoporosis or osteopenia (loss of bone)
• Burning in mouth
• Insomnia
Supports bones, heart, kidneys, nervous system, and
• Irregular heart beat • Insufficient bile or gallbladder problems
Vitamin D teeth.
• Myopia (blurry with distance) • Excess vitamin F
• Nervousness • Parathyroid insufficiency
• Pale skin
• Soft teeth
• Poor immune system
• Nose bleeds

• Dry hair
• Hair loss
• Sterility
• Muscle weakness
Support blood vessels, heart, lungs, nerves, pituitary • Slow healing • Allows the absorption of calcium and magnesium
Vitamin E gland and healing. • Leg cramps • Deficiency of zinc prevents vitamin E
• Cardiovascular problems
• Intermittent claudication (pain and cramps in the calf’s
while exercising, but relieved by rest)
• Enlarged prostate

• Bruises easily
• Poor clotting
Supports bone, blood, metabolism and liver function.
Vitamin K Helps convert glucose into glycogen for storage in liver.
• Low platelets • Coumadin medication blocks vitamin K, creating a thinned blood.
• Brittle bones
• Low blood sugar
• Numbness in the legs and arms • Calcium needs vitamin A for absorption or possible kidney stones can form
• Brittle finger nails • Without vitamin C, bones can become decalcified
• Eczema (skin rash) • Without vitamin D, calcium doesn’t get absorbed in the intestines
• Bone loss as in osteoporosis and osteopenia • Without vitamin E and F, calcium doesn’t get absorbed in the nerves and
Supports bone, circulation, immune system, nervous • Heart palpitations muscles
Calcium system, heart, muscles, skin, soft tissues and teeth. • High blood pressure • Without vitamin B2 (G), cataracts can develop
• Insomnia • Parathyroid insufficiency can decrease calcium absorption
• Irritability, nervousness • Excess stress can cause the adrenals to release calcium through the urine
• Muscle cramps • Excess posterior pituitary secretion can cause calcium to deposit in the
• Dental cavities and loss of teeth. walls of the blood vessels.
• Decrease in bowel movements
• Muscle weakness • Diarrhea, long term laxatives and vomiting can deplete potassium
• Nervousness, irritability
Supports nerve function (including brain), osmotic • Potassium together with B1 deficiencies effect the heart function
• Irregular heart beat
fluid balance between cells and interstitial spaces, • Diuretics deplete potassium
Potassium supports blood, kidneys, muscles and skin. Supports the
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease can cause the potassium to become excessive in the
• Acne
parasympathetic nervous system • Excess thirst body (kidney dialysis patients need to make sure they do not consume
• Insomnia excessive potassium)
• Fluid retention
• Breathing difficulty
• Brittle nails
• Dry hair
• Hair loss
Supports blood, bone, muscles, nails, skin and teeth.
• Dizziness
Iron Iron is necessary for production of hemoglobin, which
• Pale skin
carries O2
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Sore inflamed tongue
• Poor immune system
 • Slow metabolism
Iodine Supports immune system, thyroid, ovary and brain. • Weight gain
• Mental sluggishness

• Acne
• Brittle nails
• Eczema
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste
• Loss of smell
• Poor appetite
Supports bones, eyes, heart, liver and prostate. Needed
Zinc for many enzymes to work.
• Poor memory • Vitamin E prevents the absorption of Zinc
• Skin problems
• Splitting hair
• Hair loss
• Sterility
• White spots on nails
• Prostate problems
• Poor immunity

• Anxiety (irritable)
• Low blood pressure
Supports arteries, bones, cells, immune system, nervous
Magnesium system, reproductive system, heart and teeth.
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Dizziness

A trace mineral that participates in many enzyme systems
in the body. Involved in growth and reproduction. It is
a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol,
Manganese facilitates protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and may
also participate in the production of sex hormones and
maintaining reproductive health.
• Nausea
• Vomiting • Stored in liver and kidney (if damaged, lower amounts will be stored)
• Poor glucose tolerance (high blood sugar levels) • Manganese activates the enzymes responsible for the utilization of
• Skin rash several key nutrients including biotin, thiamin, vitamin C, and choline.
• Loss of hair color • Excessive sweating depletes
• Excessive bone loss • High intakes of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc
• Low cholesterol levels may inhibit the absorption of manganese.
• Dizziness • Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and antacids (for example,
• Hearing loss Tums) may interfere with manganese absorption.
• Reproductive system difficulties

• Appetite loss
• Diets high in junk food, soda and diet soda contribute to phosphorous
• Bone pain
Supports bone, brain cells, circulation, digestive system, loss
Phosphorus eyes, liver, muscles and teeth.
• Fatigue
• Excess calcium depletes phosphorous
• Irregular breathing
• Bone and teeth loss • Needs magnesium and calcium to balance phosphorous

• Weakness or pain in the muscles

Is an important anti-microbial nutrient. It is also a strong
Selenium anti-viral mineral. Important in many enzymes.
Important in thyroid function and immune system.
• Discoloration of the hair or skin
• Whitening of the fingernail beds
• High cortisol, and cortisol medication (prednisone) reduce selenium
• Heart arrhythmias
• Selenium is responsible for keeping vitamin E and C supply in a normal
• Deterioration of the joint tissue
range, so deficiencies of selenium can reduce E and C.
• Acne
• Infertility in males • A shortage of selenium can increase replication of certain viruses.
• Ovarian cysts
• Psoriasis

Necessary for regulation of blood and body fluids,

• Fatigue and weakness. • If on a completely plant-based diet, sodium will be low.
• Low blood pressure • Normal ratio of potassium to sodium is 4 to 1.
Sodium transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and certain
• Nausea • MSG foods can give excessive sodium.
metabolic functions.
• Muscle cramps in the legs, calf’s and or arms. • Diarrhea, leg cramps, dehydration and fever can deplete sodium.
It helps maintains healthy skin, hair and nails and • Scaly skin rashes
generally helps to bring about hormonal balance. • Eczema-like skin
Although Omega 6 is generally classed as pro- • Poor immune system
Omega 6 inflammatory, paradoxically, has anti-inflammatory • Infertility
• Omega 6 without omega 3 can be inflammatory.
properties. It plays a crucial role in brain development. It • Hair loss
is also beneficial for kidney function and pregnancy. • Dry eyes

• High blood pressure

• High triglycerides
• Inflammation
• Dry skin
• Poor immune system
Supplies the raw material for your cell membrane. The • Arthritis
cell membrane allows the proper amounts of necessary • Excessive ear wax
Omega 3 nutrients to enter the cell, and ensures that waste • Depression
products are quickly removed from the cell. Decreases the • Cardiovascular problems
risk of cancer. Reduce inflammation • Diabetes
• Fatigue
• Dry, itchy skin
• Brittle hair and nails
• Inability to concentrate
• Joint pain

Leucine supports the regulation of blood-sugar levels, • Hypoglycemia symptoms

• Headaches
the growth and repair of muscle tissue (such as bones,
• Dizziness
Leucine skin and muscles), growth hormone production, wound
• Fatigue
healing as well as energy regulation. It can assist to
• Depression
support repair in trauma or severe stress. • Irritability
 • Herpes and cold sores
• Anemia
Lysine is required in calcium absorption and maintaining • Lack of energy
lean body mass. It is needed to produce antibodies, • Poor appetite
• Irritability
hormones, enzymes, collagen formation as well as
Lysine repair of tissue. It is beneficial for people recovering from
• Poor concentration
• Hair loss
injuries and recovery after operations. It also seems to • Bloodshot eyes
assist in fighting herpes and cold sores. • Weight loss
• Reproductive disorders
• Bloodshot eyes

Threonine is required to help maintain the proper protein

balance in the body, as well as assist in the formation • Irritability
of collagen and elastin in the skin. It is involved in liver • Moody
Threonine functions as well as assisting the immune system by • Fatty liver
helping the production of antibodies promoting thymus • Digestive difficulties
growth and activity.

Valine has a stimulating effect and is needed for muscle

metabolism, repair and growth of tissue.
It can be used as an energy source in the muscles, and can • Problem with myelin covering of the nerves (burning • Liver or kidney problems can aggravate the deficiency of isoleucine as
Valine preserve the use of glucose. pain or numbness in the feet) well as increase ammonia in the body
Valine is also beneficial for supporting a health liver, as well
as nerve and brain physiology.

• Hypoglycemia symptoms
Isoleucine promotes muscle recovery after physical exercise • Headaches
and is needed for the formation of hemoglobin as well as • Dizziness
Isoleucine assisting with regulation of blood sugar and energy levels. It • Fatigue
is also involved in blood-clot formation. • Depression
• Irritability

This amino acid is required for the production of niacin

(vitamin B3). It is used by the human body to produce
• Anxiety
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is important for
• Moody
Tryptophan normal nerve and brain function. Serotonin is important
• Irritability
in sleep, stabilizing emotional moods, pain control, and
• Insomnia
inflammation. It assists in alleviating stress, helps with
weight loss and reducing appetite.

Phenylalanine can have an effect on a person’s mood • Lethargy

since it is closely involved with the central nervous • Fluid retention
system. It also can reduce appetite. It is needed to • Weakness
• People with high blood pressure and or migraines should avoid
make neurotransmitters (epinephrine, dopamine, and • Skin problems phenylalanine.
norepinephrine) • Liver issues
Phenylalanine
+ Tyrosine The action of Tyrosine assists in the production of skin • Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature (including cold hands and feet)
and hair pigment. Thyroid, pituitary and adrenal gland
• Restless leg syndrome
all requires this amino acid. Makes many important brain
• Hypothyroidism
chemicals that help regulate appetite, pain sensitivity,
• Chronic fatigue
and the body’s response to stress. • Sluggish metabolism

Your skin and the detoxification of your body, requires

cysteine. It is found in nails, skin as well as hair. It not only
• Poor immune system
is important in collagen production but also assists in skin
elasticity and texture.
Cysteine +
Methionine Methionine assists in the breakdown of fats, as • Fatty liver
well as assisting in detoxification. It also supports • Weakness
digestion and possibly the detoxifications of heavy • Fluid retention
metals from the body • Skin problems