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What Causes Tiredness, Headache And Vertigo After Changing Diet?
Question: I recently switched to a vegetarian with fish diet, no red meat, no poultry, no pork. I still eat everything else and have tried to get enough protein and iron but I'm not sure I am getting the right amounts. The past week I have been very tired and a light headed feeling that occassionally feels like vertigo. There is a pressure feeling to my head which sometimes turns into a headache. I am wondering if I am possible not getting enough of some nutrients and if so which ones? I dont feel bad otherwise. Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
B vitamins and multivitamin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
You probably do not need the iron. It can be toxic to the liver so have your doctor see if you are anemic before you continue the iron. If you are not having iron deficiency anemia it will not help you and could be harmful.
On the other hand, vegetarians often have a deficiency of B vitamins so taking a multivitamin/multimineral supplement daily and an extra B50 (a mix of 50mg each of several B vitamins) could be very helpful and boost your energy. Take these in the morning because B vitamins are activating and can interfere with sleep if you take them at night. Unlike iron they are not harmful and your body will just clear what you do not need. If you are eating fish you are probably getting enough protein but adding some nuts and beans to your diet daily can help you get enough protein.
Getting some protein at breakfast is important to help with energy so adding some nuts to cereal or fruit may help.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, the head pressure/headache sounds a bit like dehydration. Also avoiding caffeine, salt and alcohol may help with avoiding the headaches.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Dr. Robinson
B vitamins and multivitamin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
You probably do not need the iron. It can be toxic to the liver so have your doctor see if you are anemic before you continue the iron. If you are not having iron deficiency anemia it will not help you and could be harmful.
On the other hand, vegetarians often have a deficiency of B vitamins so taking a multivitamin/multimineral supplement daily and an extra B50 (a mix of 50mg each of several B vitamins) could be very helpful and boost your energy. Take these in the morning because B vitamins are activating and can interfere with sleep if you take them at night. Unlike iron they are not harmful and your body will just clear what you do not need. If you are eating fish you are probably getting enough protein but adding some nuts and beans to your diet daily can help you get enough protein.
Getting some protein at breakfast is important to help with energy so adding some nuts to cereal or fruit may help.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, the head pressure/headache sounds a bit like dehydration. Also avoiding caffeine, salt and alcohol may help with avoiding the headaches.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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