For example, suppose that you have a long-standing zinc deficiency. As your deficiency develops, you may at first notice increased acne, slow healing of wounds, a change in your body odor, a decrease in your vision, or a reduced sense of smell, but you may not realize that these problems are all related to zinc. Finally, if you are a man, you may notice pain in the prostate, or have difficulty urinating. These prostate-related problems, also perhaps due to the zinc deficiency, may finally drive you to the medical doctor where the problem is identified. But all your earlier symptoms were also early warnings that your zinc reserves had been depleted.
Many chronic diseases begin during periods of nutritional deficiencies.
Similarly, the prevalence of heart disease in our society is evidence that our nutritional and metabolic needs are not being met. By the time the cardiovascular system has begun to deteriorate, many other problems have already developed. People may ignore all these other problems, and the end result is heart disease. By believing that common every day aches and pains are normal, we more easily lull ourselves into believing that we are healthy and that disease is for other people. The stores of nutrients and other vital substances in your body are known as your metabolic reserve.