The body’s health hints, hidden in plain sight

Stroke your fingers across the back of your upper arm. Do you feel tiny bumps on the skin? When I asked this question in last month’s cover story, I left readers wondering—because Part 1 of this two-part feature discussed what the face and hair reveal about health. This month, I’ll review the rest of the body—and share the secret behind those tiny bumps, plus many other subtle health clues.

Unless noted, all treatments below are safe for everyone. Supplements are sold at health-food stores.

NEWS FROM THE NECK

Bowtie-shaped bump. This distinctive swelling at the base of the throat is a goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, due to a deficiency of iodine. The thyroid gland needs iodine to manufacture thyroid hormone. Deficiencies are common in people who avoid salt. Solution: Eat iodine-rich sea vegetables, strawberries, eggs and dairy foods (in moderation)…take 150 micrograms (mcg) to 300 mcg of iodine daily in capsule form…and consult an endocrinologist.

Stiff neck. Tight muscles or restriction of the neck vertebrae can result from poor posture or sleeping with a pillow that is too soft or too hard. Recommended: Massage and/or acupuncture, particularly if you also have headaches or neck pain…a cervical pillow that fits the neck’s natural curve…and the muscle-relaxing mineral magnesium (250 mg twice daily), taken with calcium (500 mg twice daily) for optimal effect, until stiffness is gone. Warning: A stiff neck along with a fever and severe headache may indicate meningitis, a serious infection that requires emergency care.

WHAT THE TORSO TELLS ME

Sagging breasts. In a woman, droopy breasts may simply be her natural shape—or may indicate a deficiency of the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone, particularly if accompanied by hot flashes and overall loss of skin elasticity. If saliva and/or blood tests confirm a deficiency, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be appropriate.

Flabby breast tissue is not uncommon in overweight men because fat cells produce estrogen, a hormone that contributes to breast enlargement. A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, cabbage), plus two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily (taken with 10 ounces of water), help the liver to break down excess estrogen—and also provide a good start on a sensible weight-loss plan.

Apple-shaped abdomen. A person who is as big or bigger around the waist as around the hips may have insulin resistance—in which the body’s cells don’t readily accept the glucose-transporting hormone insulin, so the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. This leads to an accumulation of fat around the waist. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for diabetes. Excessive insulin also contributes to inflammation—which sets the stage for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and cancer.

For a rotund patient, I recommend regular exercise and a diet high in fiber and low in refined carbohydrates. Supplements of a fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) at 1,000 mg three times daily can aid weight loss and promote the cells’ proper use of insulin. Slimaluma, a plant extract (taken at 500 mg, one hour before breakfast and dinner), curbs appetite and reduces abdominal fat. I also test levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), since supplementation of this hormone in people who have low levels can reduce belly fat and improve insulin resistance.

CLUES IN THE SKIN

Hairless skin. Sparse body hair in men and women suggests a deficiency of the hormones testosterone and/or DHEA, which can increase the risk for depression, fatigue, poor memory, low libido, osteoporosis and heart disease. If tests confirm the diagnosis, prescription testosterone HRT and/or nonprescription DHEA oral supplements (best used under a doctor’s supervision) may be warranted.

Skin tags. These small, soft, protruding bumps are connected to the skin by a narrow stalk of tissue. They are usually benign and painless but can become irritated. Skin tags are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpits, upper chest and groin…tend to appear in middle age…and are more common in women. Growths can be removed surgically, electrically (cautery) or by freezing (cryotherapy), but they may grow back. The cause of skin tags is unknown, but natural remedies may halt the spread and prevent recurrence. Take daily supplements of biotin (300 mcg)…chromium (200 mcg to 400 mcg)…alpha lipoic acid (300 mg)…and cinnamon extract (500 mg). Also try homeopathic Thuja occidentalis, at two pellets of a 30C potency twice daily for a month.

SECRETS HELD IN THE HANDS AND ARMS

Weak pulse at the wrist. Every doctor checks a patient’s pulse, looking for a steady rate of 60 to 80 beats per minute. However, I like to employ some of my Chinese medicine training by evaluating more subtle signs. For example, a very strong pulse can indicate stress, while a weak pulse that is hard to detect suggests that the heart is not contracting as forcefully as it should or that certain organs are not functioning well. A complete pulse diagnosis can be made by a practitioner of Oriental medicine. For a referral, contact the American Association of Oriental Medicine (aaom.org).

Abnormal fingernails. Spoon-shaped nails or pale nail beds that do not quickly return to their normal color after being pressed suggest iron-deficiency anemia…ridges can indicate infection or low thyroid function…white spots mean a zinc deficiency…and brittle nails signal a deficiency of protein, essential fatty acids, calcium and/or silicon. Nail abnormalities also result from reduced stomach acid, which leads to poor nutrient absorption. Solution: In addition to a daily multivitamin, take two capsules (with each meal) of betaine hydrochloride, a beet extract that increases stomach acid…or a full-spectrum digestive enzyme, which improves nutrient absorption.

LESSONS FROM THE LEGS AND FEET

Stiff knees. A stiff-legged gait and aching knees can signal osteoarthritis, a degeneration of cartilage (tough, elastic tissue that allows bones to slide smoothly over one another). Its causes include previous injuries, inflammatory disease and nutritional deficiencies. To lubricate joints and help repair cartilage, take daily glucosamine (1,500 mg)…chondroitin (1,200 mg)…combined eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (1,000 mg)…and hyaluronic acid (200 mg in two divided doses).

Inward- or outward-rolling feet. I watch patients walk, looking for pronation—a biomechanical problem common among the flat-footed, in which the feet tilt inward—or supination, in which the feet roll outward. Either condition can lead to pain in the feet, knees, hips and lower back. A chiropractor or podiatrist can provide supportive custom-made orthotic shoe inserts that promote proper foot alignment. Helpful: Exercise the muscles of the arch by picking up marbles with your toes.

THE ANSWER YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR…

Those itty-bitty, not-so-pretty bumps on the back of the arms are follicular hyperkeratosis and usually signal a vitamin A deficiency. Take 5,000 international units (IU)—the upper limit for pregnant women—to 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily until bumps clear up, typically four to six weeks. Thereafter, to prevent a recurrence, take a daily multivitamin that contains at least 2,500 IU of vitamin A or beta-carotene (which the body converts into vitamin A) and eat beta-carotene–rich foods, such as dark green and orange-yellow vegetables.

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