Feel Exhausted or Sore After Moderate Exercise

Feeling worse and sore after moderate exercise is an indication of low thyroid function and a vitamin B1 need.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Nose Bleeds and / or Tend to Bruise Easily

Nose bleeds, bleeding gums and bruising easily are all signs of bioflavonoid deficiency. Bioflavonoids are a class of compounds found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. They serve to stabilize membranes in the body, especially the blood vessel membranes. Bioflavonoids have antioxidant properties, are essential for collagen cross linking (which provides the strength to collagen fibers), they act as an adjuvant to vitamin C and will help re-charge vitamin C in the body. They have anti-inflammatory activity by stabilizing the cell membranes and making them less likely to release their fatty acids and thus preventing the eicosanoid cascade.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Vulnerable to Insect Bites

Being vulnerable to insect bites is a classic sign of B complex need. For some reason people with low B vitamins in their body are very susceptible to mosquito and flea bites. It has been hypothesized that the B vitamins put out a certain odor that biting insects do not like, or that we still bitten but the bites goes unnoticed and go away very quickly. Whatever the reason, you need to take a low does naturally occurring B complex before going on that summer camping trip.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Loss of Muscle Tone, Heaviness in Arms / Legs

Loss of muscle tome and heaviness in the arms and legs are signs of either a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency or amino acid needs.  For some people there is a compromise in the digestive system that prevents adequate digestion of protein. Hypochlorhydria and or pancreatic insufficiency will cause incomplete breakdown of protein, and prevent the release of amino acids from the proteins. Certain amino acids including Tryptophan, arginain, and lysine are very vulnerable to certain cooking methods e.g. high heat baking which destroys the basic structure of the amino acid, rendering them unusable by the body.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Wake Up Without Remembering Dreams

Waking up without ramembering dreams is a classic sign of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) defieciency. There may also be sleep disturbance issues, especially if you are not able to enter REM sleep.  During REM sleep the whole body enters a deep state of relaxation and it provide the deepest sleep we can get. Without REM sleep we do not dream. An increased cortisol output at night and low blood sugar may interfere with sleep patterns.  Also consider the possibly of sleep apnea, a condition of brief stoppages of breathing during the night. Please visit a specialist of sleep apnea is suspected.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Numbness, Tingling or Itching in Hands or Feet

There are many causes of numbness, tingling, or itching in the extremities including disc problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes and any type of nerve entrapment or impingment. A through orthopedic and neurological examination should be performed to rule out any of the above structural causes.

In the elderly population, who are achlorhydic, B12 deficiency is very common. B12 deficiency can have a long-term irreversible neurological complications. Assess for the presence of hypochlorhydria and grate what you find, to increase the absorption of B12 in these peoples. For those who are deficient consider injectible B12. Consider additional supplementation of folic acid, another vitamin that can have neurological complications when deficient.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Polyps or Warts

The presence of polyps or warts is a sign of folic acid need and other B vitamins. Warts as also an indication of an increased viral load in the body, which constantly has to deal with the virus. The virus is walled off in a growth and will stay around as long as the environment of the body supports it.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Fragile Skin, Easily Chaffed, as in Shaving

Fragile and friable skin is a common sign of bioflavonoid deficiency, liver congestion, and thiamin need. In Chinese medicine the skin is an expression of the liver. Treating the liver congestion and providing the correct nutrients can go a long way to helping clients with Thie complaint.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Cracks at Corner of Mouth (Cheilosis)

Cheilosis can be a sign of digestive dysfunction, especially the colon. Increased toxins in the colon from constipation can cause the corners of the mouth to split an crack. Another cause is calcium and / or thiamine need.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a sign of calcium, magnesium or potassium need with a possible digestive dysfunction that causes a decreased absorption of minerals. Vitamin E and folic acid ma be needed as a co-factor.

Other Indications
1. Vitamin E need
2. B Vitamin need

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Night Sweats

Night sweats may be an indication of an infection or other pathology, which should be ruled out. A common functional cause of night sweats include a need for liver and kidney support and a deficiency in riboflavin.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Whole Body or Limp Jerk as Falling Asleep

This is a sign of calcium, magnesium, or potassium need with a possible digestive dysfunction that causes a decreased absorption of minerals. Vitamin E may be needed as a co-factor. Also may need Vitamin B.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Can Hear Heart Beat on Pillow At Night

Being able to hear one’s pulse beat on the pillow at night is a sign of circulatory stress. Circulation of the blood through the arteries, veins, capillaries is dependent on the health of these vessels. Bioflavonoids are essential nutrients for the health of the linings of blood vessels. Clients who are deficient in calcium and / or Vitamin B1 may also experience this symptom.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Feeling of Insecurity

There can be psychological reasons for this symptom. But some of the functional problems would include hypo-functionsin of the adrenal glands and / or deficiency in the folic acid and other B vitamins.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Pulse Slow / Below 65

When the pulse is below 65 the following possible cause of the problem should be considered:

1. A need for Vitamin B1
2. Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood)
3. Adrenal hypofunction
4. Parasympathetic dominance
5. Endocrine hypofunction
6. and / or food / environmental sensitivites

It is important to remember that a person who exercises regularly may have a pulse below 65. This is physiologically normal.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Ringing in the Ear / Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an acoustic stimulus. It is more common in the elderly population yet it can occur in a person of any age. Unfortunately the cause is often not determined in every person.

The most common causes of tinnitus are noise-induced damage and age-related hearing loss. It is important to remember that tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom, and often serves as an important marker for other conditions. Causes include spine, cranial, or TMJ dysfunction, hyper - and hypo-tension, damaged or reduced circulation resulting in nerve damage, infection with resulting mucous, adrenal hypo-function, thiamine deficiency and food allergies /
sensitivities. People with an overactive thyroid, which leads to an increased heart rate, often suffer from tinnitus due to the consequent increased blood flow through the ears causing the ringing. Tinnitus is also one of the symptoms of Ménière's disease. Some people may experience tinnitus for a week or so after a cold or flu, this is annoying but usually subsides after the infection has gone.

There are a number of substances that can exacerbate tinnitus, due to their vasoconstriction properties. These include nicotine and caffeine. Clenching or grinding the teeth, a sign of increase stress, will often trigger ringing in the ears. Reducing stress and relieving TML dysfunction improves the tinnitus.

One of the theories for the mechanics of tinnitus suggests that damage to the fine hair cells of the inner ear from loud noise etc. causes them to remain in a constant state of irritation. Any type of stimulation of the auditory nerve is random and spontaneous instead of occurring as a direct consequence of sound wave transmitted to the inner ear.  These random electrical impulses are interpreted as noise, usually perceived as high-frequency ringing because the hair cells that are most frequently damaged respond in the high-frequency range.  The distress can be minimized by putting the person on an individualized nutritional protocol and by avoiding aggravating factors, such as nicotine and caffeine.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Muscles Become Easily Fatigued

Muscles that become easily fatigued are a sign of essential fatty acid deficiency and / or Vitamin B1 (thiamine). Most people take their B vitamins in a vitamin B complex. Dr. Royal Lee considered the B complex to be two distinct complexes, with different physiological actions. According to Dr. Lee, Vitamon B was thiamine based and contained the other B vitamins that were soluble in alcohol including B12, B5, and B4. Vitamin G, on the other hand, was riboflavin based and contained the B vitamins that were not soluble in alcohol.

People who have muscles that are easily fatigued should be assessed for essential fatty acid deficiency, and the B complex they should be on is a naturally occuring thiamine. This symptoms could also be due to gallbladder dysfunction and lack of tissue oxygenation requiring supplemental vitamin E.






Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Heart Races

This is symptom that should be checked out by a specialist in cardiovascular medicine. It is important to rule out pathology because heart racing or arrhythiamas can have dire consequences if not treated properly. There are, on the other hand, some simple nutritional approaches that can have significant impact on this symptom. For instance, many people with arrhythmias respond very well to magnesium, which often brings the symptoms of heart racing under control.






Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.