Your Tongue and Your Health!

So many health conditions lay hidden under the surface for quite a while, before they erupt in spectacular fashion. Heart disease is probably the best known of these (many seemingly healthy people have died of sudden heart attacks), but there are actually many more conditions. However, there is a sneaky way to check on your body's general health, without spending the cash for a full checkup with the doctor. Simply stick out your tongue and have a look in the mirror! Here we look at how your tongue can tell you which organic vitamins you need to take.

White coating on your tongue

If your tongue is covered in white pasty stuff, it's usually an indication of candida overgrowth. Sometimes your diet actually contributes to candida overgrowth (too many refined carbs, too much sugar). It could also be a symptom of an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis or HIV. However, you would most likely have other prominent symptoms in conjunction with one of these serious diseases.

Brown or black tongue

This isn't a sign of sickness in itself … but does tell you that you’re drinking too much coffee, too much tea, or chewing/smoking too much tobacco! The papillae on the surface of your tongue can become stained easily. If your tongue looks black or brownish, your nutritionist will tell you to cut out the ciggies and caffeinated drinks.

Sore spots

If you've been drinking more citrus juice than usual or have a cold, then you are more predisposed to mouth ulcers. Having sore spots on your tongue usually tells you that your immune system is run down in general - take an immune boosting supplement like Probiotic Immune Support by New Chapter.

Bumps that hurt

Keep an eye on any bumps on your tongue, or the inside of your cheeks, that start hurting, and don't heal within a few days or a week. They could be signs of oral cancer.

Dark red, painful tongue

This may be caused by an extremely rare (nowadays) nutritional deficiency called pellagra, in which you don't get enough niacin. Since the introduction of breakfast cereals fortified with whole food vitamins, it hasn’t really been an issue in the Western World, though.