Cracked Corners in my mouth
Blu3Hea7en
Posts: 45 Member
Ever since I started LCHF the corners of my lips have split and haven't seemed to heal at all. Anyone else experience severe dry mouth?
Before anyone asks- yes I drink water. Half my body in ounces. EVERYDAY. I'm moisturizing my lips to the MAX! I don't know whats going on.
Before anyone asks- yes I drink water. Half my body in ounces. EVERYDAY. I'm moisturizing my lips to the MAX! I don't know whats going on.
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Replies
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What about sodium. You can be dehydrated drinking lots and lots of water if it's just going right through you because sodium and other electrolytes are deficient.
You need lots more sodium on low carb. Especially if you drink lots of water.0 -
Yes if your electrolytes are off that can throw off that balance. We don't hold water like when high carb so as you lose that and you lose your sodium you alter your sodium water balance and get dehydrated even when drinking lots of water. I know when my sodium is low when I wake up and my lips are peeling. And no amount of balm helps it. Once I get that back in check it's almost amazing how quickly my lips are back to normal0
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Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.0
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lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!0 -
lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
This for angular chelitis. Should fix quickly, if not, see you doctor because it can be lots of things like candida. B complex should cover which B.
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Yes! I experienced this in the first 2 weeks or so, along with insatiable thirst. It's evened out, but I also got the advice to make sure I was getting more sodium than previously.0
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lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!
We get B vitamins from grains among other places. Reduce grains, reduce B vitamins.0 -
lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!
Riboflavin, specifically. A lot of people are chronically deficient in B vitamins, not necessarily because they aren't eating enough of them, but because there are many ways to lose them or not absorb them in the first place. Taking B complex ought to cover it, and take care of any other B deficiencies, assuming that your absorption is normal.0 -
see this -->http://goop.com/vitamin-b-and-why-its-important/
Q
What are the effects of low Vitamin B? What are the symptoms?
A
Symptoms of a deficiency depend on what type of Vitamin B you lack. The most common deficiency is B12 deficiency, which is actually relatively common. It causes lethargy, fatigue, weakness, anemia, memory loss, and neurological problems and even psychiatric problems.
But B vitamin deficiencies can cause all sorts of problems ranging from headaches, irritability, and confusion to anemia or a compromised immune system, to fatigue. Skin rashes, dry skin, cracks at the corners of the mouth, frequent bruising, and wounds that require a long time to heal can be symptoms. Muscle weakness, a lack of coordination, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes may also occur.0 -
dasher602014 wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!
We get B vitamins from grains among other places. Reduce grains, reduce B vitamins.
Grains are actually a very small amount of our B vitamin intake, between the fact that most are processed to the point that the nutrients have been removed, and what is in the grain products has been enriched, the bioavailibility of the vitamin and mineral content of nearly all grain products is actually very low (and even more so when the phytates and other nutrient-binding compounds found in grains are taken into account). The B vitamins are also found in abundance in most of the LCHF staple foods (most of these foods have the added benefit of fewer anti-nutrients, which bind to the vitamins and make them unusable, so bioavailability is also higher).
B2 (riboflavin): spinach, eggs, asparagus, almonds, turkey, mushrooms, yogurt
B3 (niacin): tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, beef, sardines
B5 (pantothenic acid): eggs, mushrooms, avocado, chicken, turkey, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, salmon, beef
B6 (pyridoxine): tuna, turkey, beef, chicken, salmon, sunflower seeds, spinach
B7 (biotin): almonds, eggs, walnuts, salmon, romaine lettuce, salmon, yogurt
B9 (folate): asparagus, spinach, broccoli, eggs, parsley, brussels sprouts, celery, cabbage, strawberries, avocado
B12 (cobalamin): sardines, salmon, chicken, beef, eggs, lamb, cod (pretty much all animal products)
So while a B-vitamin deficiency is possible, it's not as likely as sodium deficiency. Also, taking a B-complex is arguably overkill, as most of it would be (literally) flushed away. It's arguably better to figure out which one's the most likely and specifically target it.0 -
I would go with B-complex, because other types of b deficiencies can also cause those little mouth cracks. If it doesn't help, you'll know within a few days, and you can go to the doctor to figure out if it's an infection, like candida, as someone mentioned earlier, or some other problem. If B fixes the problem, you've saved yourself a doctor's visit. Trying B-vitamins separately would waste time, if you actually have an infection that should be treated.0
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Dragonwolf wrote: »dasher602014 wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!
We get B vitamins from grains among other places. Reduce grains, reduce B vitamins.
Grains are actually a very small amount of our B vitamin intake, between the fact that most are processed to the point that the nutrients have been removed, and what is in the grain products has been enriched, the bioavailibility of the vitamin and mineral content of nearly all grain products is actually very low (and even more so when the phytates and other nutrient-binding compounds found in grains are taken into account). The B vitamins are also found in abundance in most of the LCHF staple foods (most of these foods have the added benefit of fewer anti-nutrients, which bind to the vitamins and make them unusable, so bioavailability is also higher).
B2 (riboflavin): spinach, eggs, asparagus, almonds, turkey, mushrooms, yogurt
B3 (niacin): tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, beef, sardines
B5 (pantothenic acid): eggs, mushrooms, avocado, chicken, turkey, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, salmon, beef
B6 (pyridoxine): tuna, turkey, beef, chicken, salmon, sunflower seeds, spinach
B7 (biotin): almonds, eggs, walnuts, salmon, romaine lettuce, salmon, yogurt
B9 (folate): asparagus, spinach, broccoli, eggs, parsley, brussels sprouts, celery, cabbage, strawberries, avocado
B12 (cobalamin): sardines, salmon, chicken, beef, eggs, lamb, cod (pretty much all animal products)
So while a B-vitamin deficiency is possible, it's not as likely as sodium deficiency. Also, taking a B-complex is arguably overkill, as most of it would be (literally) flushed away. It's arguably better to figure out which one's the most likely and specifically target it.
@Dragonwolf Thanks for this list. I got 'lost' in my government diet training at school. You are quite right. On this diet, there are lots of food.0 -
I get angular chelitis after visits from the dentist in the winter. There is small irritation and cut in the corners of my mouth from opening wide and then because it is a moist area it gets infected. The only thing that will cure it for me is nystatin cream. Please google this as it is a fungal infection at the corners of your lips. It starts out painful and sore then gets red. Please have your Dr. check it out. It takes 4-6 weeks to heal as fungal infection heal slower than bacterial infections. It not treated properly a bacterial infection can set it. It might be due to low B vitamins but once an infection sets in all the lip balm in the world will not help.
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Dragonwolf wrote: »dasher602014 wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Take a vitamin B complex supplement. If that doesn't start fixing it within a few days, you should see your doctor.
I'm curious what makes you suspect a B Vitamin and not sodium. ??
Any B vitamin in particular?
Thx!
We get B vitamins from grains among other places. Reduce grains, reduce B vitamins.
Grains are actually a very small amount of our B vitamin intake, between the fact that most are processed to the point that the nutrients have been removed, and what is in the grain products has been enriched, the bioavailibility of the vitamin and mineral content of nearly all grain products is actually very low (and even more so when the phytates and other nutrient-binding compounds found in grains are taken into account). The B vitamins are also found in abundance in most of the LCHF staple foods (most of these foods have the added benefit of fewer anti-nutrients, which bind to the vitamins and make them unusable, so bioavailability is also higher).
B2 (riboflavin): spinach, eggs, asparagus, almonds, turkey, mushrooms, yogurt
B3 (niacin): tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, beef, sardines
B5 (pantothenic acid): eggs, mushrooms, avocado, chicken, turkey, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, salmon, beef
B6 (pyridoxine): tuna, turkey, beef, chicken, salmon, sunflower seeds, spinach
B7 (biotin): almonds, eggs, walnuts, salmon, romaine lettuce, salmon, yogurt
B9 (folate): asparagus, spinach, broccoli, eggs, parsley, brussels sprouts, celery, cabbage, strawberries, avocado
B12 (cobalamin): sardines, salmon, chicken, beef, eggs, lamb, cod (pretty much all animal products)
So while a B-vitamin deficiency is possible, it's not as likely as sodium deficiency. Also, taking a B-complex is arguably overkill, as most of it would be (literally) flushed away. It's arguably better to figure out which one's the most likely and specifically target it.
Thanks for the explanation and handy list.
If there's an absorption problem, then testing and retesting would tell you if you have a deficiency and not able to cure it with oral supplements.
So....maybe get on the doctors' dance cards and start taking B-complex in the interim?0 -
Mouth issues can definitely be caused by a vitamin B deficiency! I take vitamin B12 shots, weekly, and when I am a couple of days late I will develop mouth ulcers. They go away once I get my shot!0
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This just sounds like classic dehydration to me. Since pretty much everyone gets dehydrated to some degree in low carb, it's the most obvious first step to get the needed sodium and magnesium to fix hydration. This happens so quickly that you'll know if you're on the right track within a day if you're taking enough.0
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I think it's just an absorption issue. As far as I know, the best oral form is methylcobalamine and should be taken in high doses so that you can meet your needs. But the most common form is cyanocobalamine, which is just a waste of money.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »This just sounds like classic dehydration to me. Since pretty much everyone gets dehydrated to some degree in low carb, it's the most obvious first step to get the needed sodium and magnesium to fix hydration. This happens so quickly that you'll know if you're on the right track within a day if you're taking enough.
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Lack of gastric intrinsic factor, leading to lack of absorption, is one reason.
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Yep! Malabsorption from gastric bypass keeps me from absorbing B12. It was actually my neurologist who began the shots after I complained to him about my toes hurting, and the mouth sores. He said that even with normal lab values, the malabsorption keeps one from absorbing enough to sustain a healthy central nervous system (it was neuropathy setting in my feet and the B12 helps!).0
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I don't know how helpful this will be, for the OP, but in my experience, by taking a daily multivitamin (I like the Flintstones Complete chewable one, which has a lot of the US RDAs at 100%) and a daily calcium gummy (I like Vitafusion with Vitamin D, too, which helps the body absorb the calcium), by using facial moisturizer daily, and by using chapstick, I can minimize the dry, red, chapped spots on my face. I also eat quite a bit of sodium and fat from boullion cubes in cups of hot water (one per cup) throughout the day. This helps me stay clear-headed and relatively crack-free.
I've never really been a fan of crack
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@Blu3Hea7en This is a common complaint that we see in the clinic. As people have posted above, it is usually associated with Vit B deficiency, riboflavin in particular. A Vit B complex supplement is advised. If the problem persist you should see a doctor0
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »
I think it's just an absorption issue. As far as I know, the best oral form is methylcobalamine and should be taken in high doses so that you can meet your needs. But the most common form is cyanocobalamine, which is just a waste of money.
I had no idea there were different types of B12. I'll have to dig into it.
Thanks for the information - much appreciated!0 -
Blu3Hea7en wrote: »Ever since I started LCHF the corners of my lips have split and haven't seemed to heal at all. Anyone else experience severe dry mouth?
Before anyone asks- yes I drink water. Half my body in ounces. EVERYDAY. I'm moisturizing my lips to the MAX! I don't know whats going on.
So, you could certainly be deficient in vitamin B, most people probably are. But, the bold typed statement tells me this is dehydration. Why would B Vitamins suddenly plummet?
Get you some sodium and a good magnesium. If you already have, take more.
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@Blu3Hea7en have you found any relief from the cracked lips0
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Blu3Hea7en wrote: »Ever since I started LCHF the corners of my lips have split and haven't seemed to heal at all. Anyone else experience severe dry mouth?
Before anyone asks- yes I drink water. Half my body in ounces. EVERYDAY. I'm moisturizing my lips to the MAX! I don't know whats going on.
So, you could certainly be deficient in vitamin B, most people probably are. But, the bold typed statement tells me this is dehydration. Why would B Vitamins suddenly plummet?
Get you some sodium and a good magnesium. If you already have, take more.
Yeah, that's my thought, too, especially since a whole foods based LCHF diet (ie - not living on Quest bars and Atkins shakes) contains plenty of sources of the entire complex.0
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