Ninth Dimension Wellness

08/28/2026

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

Nutritional deficiencies can develop quietly, and early symptoms are often subtle or nonspecific. Here are some signs worth paying attention to:

VITAMINS 👇🏻

1. Vitamin A
Possible sign: Difficulty seeing in dim light or at night

2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Possible signs: Fatigue, irritability, poor memory or loss of appetite

3. Vitamin B12
Possible signs: Fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling or brain fog

4. Vitamin C
Possible signs: Swollen or bleeding gums, easy bruising or slow wound healing

5. Vitamin D
Possible signs: Bone discomfort, muscle weakness or frequent aches

6. Vitamin E
Possible signs: Muscle weakness, poor coordination or numbness and tingling

7. Vitamin K
Possible signs: Easy bruising, prolonged bleeding or frequent nosebleeds
Vitamin K1 and K2 have different biological roles, but there is no established symptom- such as tartar buildup- that reliably identifies K2 deficiency by itself.

MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES 👇🏻

8. Calcium
Possible signs: Muscle cramps, spasms, tingling around the mouth or numbness in the fingers

9. Iodine
Possible signs: Neck swelling, fatigue, cold sensitivity or symptoms of an underactive thyroid

10. Iron
Possible signs: Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, headaches or becoming unusually short of breath with exertion

11. Magnesium
Possible signs: Fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea or loss of appetite

12. Sodium
Possible signs: Headache, nausea, weakness, confusion or muscle cramping

13. Potassium
Possible signs: Muscle weakness, cramping, constipation or an irregular heartbeat

14. Selenium
Deficiency is uncommon and may not produce a clear early symptom. Severe deficiency can affect thyroid, muscle and heart function.

15. Zinc
Possible signs: Reduced taste or smell, slow wound healing, hair loss, poor appetite or frequent infections

Important: Symptoms alone cannot confirm a nutritional deficiency. Many of these signs overlap with other medical conditions, and taking supplements without knowing your levels can sometimes cause harm. Proper evaluation may include dietary review, health history and appropriate laboratory testing.

-Dr. Ron Heusser, PhD, DFM
Ninth Dimension Wellness

This post contains educational information only and not medical advice.

At Ninth Dimension Wellness, we integrate functional medicine with personalized wellness plans. Discover our services: optimal health, nutrition, fitness, massage therapy, wellness coaching, red light and laser therapy, and sound baths to enhance your daily well-being and feel your best every day.

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06/05/2026

COMMON MEDICATIONS THAT MAY INCREASE YOUR BODY’S NEED FOR CERTAIN NUTRIENTS

Medications can be life-changing and, for many people, absolutely necessary.

What often gets overlooked is that some medications can increase the body’s demand for certain vitamins, minerals, and cofactors needed to keep everything running smoothly.

This doesn’t mean medications are bad.

It doesn’t mean you should stop taking them.

It simply means that if you’ve been taking a medication long-term and still struggle with fatigue, brain fog, muscle cramps, poor recovery, or other unexplained symptoms, it may be worth exploring whether nutrient depletion could be part of the picture.

Here are some common examples:

💊 Acid-Reducing Medications (PPIs & H2 Blockers)

Healthy stomach acid helps release nutrients from food.

Long-term use may reduce absorption of vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc.

These nutrients play important roles in energy production, oxygen transport, nerve function, immune health, and bone strength.

💨 Asthma Inhalers

Certain inhalers may increase the loss of magnesium and potassium while also increasing the body’s demand during periods of respiratory stress.

These minerals support muscle function, nervous system health, and cellular energy production.

💊 Corticosteroids

Steroids can affect levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamin D.

Over time, this may impact bone health, immune balance, muscle function, and recovery.

🌸 Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone metabolism relies on nutrients such as vitamin B6, B12, folate, magnesium, and zinc.

As hormone processing increases, nutritional requirements may increase as well.

🧠 Antidepressants

While antidepressants don’t directly cause deficiencies in every person, long-term use may influence appetite, digestion, metabolism, and nutrient utilization.

Nutrients often associated with mood and neurotransmitter health include magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, and CoQ10.

❤️ Blood Pressure Medications (Especially Diuretics)

Diuretics help remove excess fluid, but they can also increase the loss of potassium and magnesium.

These minerals are critical for cardiovascular health, nerve signaling, muscle function, and healthy blood pressure regulation.

💊 Birth Control Pills

Research suggests oral contraceptives may affect levels of vitamin B6, folate, B12, magnesium, and zinc.

These nutrients are involved in hormone balance, energy production, neurotransmitter function, and methylation pathways.

❤️ Statins

Statins work by altering cholesterol production pathways.

That same pathway is also responsible for producing CoQ10, a key nutrient involved in mitochondrial energy production and muscle function.

💊 Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be incredibly valuable when needed, but they may also alter beneficial gut bacteria.

Because the microbiome plays a role in nutrient production and absorption, changes in gut health can influence levels of vitamin K and several B vitamins.

🩸 Metformin

One of the most well-documented medication and nutrient interactions.

Long-term metformin use has been associated with reduced vitamin B12 absorption in some individuals.

B12 is essential for nerve health, energy production, red blood cell formation, and methylation.

💊 NSAID Pain Relievers

Long-term use may affect the digestive tract and stomach lining, potentially influencing the absorption of nutrients such as iron, folate, B12, magnesium, and zinc.

⚡ Anti-Seizure Medications

Some anti-epileptic medications can affect vitamin D, calcium, folate, B6, B12, and zinc metabolism.

These nutrients support neurological function, bone health, immune regulation, and cellular repair.

✨ The Bigger Picture

Most medications don’t create problems because they’re “bad.”

The body simply requires additional resources to absorb, metabolize, transport, and eliminate medications while continuing thousands of other biological processes every second.

Sometimes the missing piece isn’t changing the medication.

Sometimes it’s making sure the body has the nutritional support it needs to function optimally while taking it.

If you’ve been on a medication long-term and don’t feel like yourself, it may be worth looking deeper into potential nutrient imbalances.

Your body can’t build optimal health without the raw materials it needs.

Dr. Ron Heusser, DFM
Ninth Dimension Wellness
*Information only. Not medical advice. Never stop or change prescribed medications without speaking with your healthcare provider.

05/29/2026

🚨 This ingredient spikes your blood sugar faster than sugar and you may not even be aware your consuming it!

One of the most overlooked ingredients in the modern food supply isn’t sugar… it’s maltodextrin.

Most people have never heard of it, yet it’s found in thousands of foods, supplements, meal replacement shakes, protein powders, sports drinks, flavored waters, coffee creamers, candy, sauces, salad dressings, seasonings, instant foods, and many products marketed as “healthy” or “sugar-free.”

Maltodextrin is typically derived from corn, rice, potato, or wheat starch and is heavily processed into a fine white powder used to improve texture, shelf life, and sweetness.

Here’s where it gets interesting…

Despite being classified as a “complex carbohydrate,” maltodextrin can raise blood sugar even faster than table sugar. Depending on the source and processing method, its glycemic index can range from approximately 85 to over 130, while table sugar averages around 65.

That means a product labeled “no sugar added” or “zero sugar” may still contain ingredients capable of creating a significant blood sugar response.

For some individuals, frequent blood sugar spikes may contribute to:
• Energy crashes
• Increased hunger and cravings
• Difficulty maintaining healthy weight
• Poor metabolic health
• Greater insulin demand

Maltodextrin often hides in:
❌ Protein powders
❌ Sports drinks
❌ Electrolyte mixes
❌ Flavored coffee creamers
❌ Sugar-free products
❌ Instant soups and noodles
❌ Packaged snacks
❌ Processed seasonings and spice blends
❌ Nutritional supplements and gummies

The takeaway?

Don’t just read the nutrition facts panel—read the ingredient list.

Sometimes the most important ingredients aren’t the ones advertised on the front of the package.

Knowledge is power when it comes to your health.

— Dr. Ron Heusser, DFM
Ninth Dimension Wellness

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Information only. This post is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.

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