Weight gain is always a concern for people of all ages. What’s more, you may get frustrated when you are eating right and exercising regularly but still piling on the pounds! Unexplained weight gain may be attributed to a variety of reasons. It may happen due to hormonal changes or underlying health problems. Nutritional deficiencies could be another reason. Surprising as it may be, deficiency-related weight gain is something really common. You may be putting on weight just because your body is not getting enough of certain nutrients. So what are the common vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can cause weight gain? Knowing this can definitely help you to resolve weight issues easily. Here is a list for you.
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Vitamin D
You will probably associate vitamin D deficiency with poor bone health but it can cause weight gain too. When your body runs low on this vitamin, it tends to convert sugar to fat rather than energy. This extra fat gets stored and shows up in the form of excess weight. People who experience vitamin D deficiency often have extra flab in the abdominal area. Consume foods like fatty fish and fortified dairy products to replenish this nutrient. Soaking up some sunlight also helps to prevent inadequacy.
Magnesium
Another nutrient that has a strong correlation with weight gain is magnesium. It plays a key role in regulating blood glucose levels. Further, the shortage of this mineral is linked with insulin resistance which elevates the risk of weight gain. Several scientific studies indicate that obese people tend to have lower levels of magnesium. Leafy greens, legumes, nuts, bananas, raspberries, and seafood are some of the foods that you can eat to overcome the deficiency of magnesium for addressing weight issues.
Iodine
Low levels of iodine in your body are equally detrimental when it comes to weight gain. When trying to lose weight, Earl Hailey from Patch MD (https://www.patchmd.com/) suggests that you use table salt instead of sea salt. This is because table salt has iodine, which helps the thyroid function better, and the thyroid controls metabolism. Weight watchers are particularly conscious about metabolism because a good metabolic rate aids weight loss. Besides iodized salt, seaweed, shrimp, cod, tuna, dairy, and eggs are some other good sources of iodine.
Vitamin C
If you are not having enough vitamin C, you will end up gaining weight. Research studies show that people deficient in this vitamin are prone to having higher BMI and a larger waistline. At the same time, it is vital for boosting your metabolism which is the key to a healthy weight loss. The best way to pile up on vitamin C is by having more citrus fruits, guavas, chili peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, and kale.
Eating right gives you the best start for a healthy weight loss. Even before you pick a diet plan, assess yourself for detecting the nutritional deficiencies in the first place. Focus on making up for these deficiencies even while you eat for losing weight. A professional can help you by recommending supplements in addition to the right diet.