Q: I recently went on a crash diet, and I have been completely covered in bruises for the past two weeks. I have always bruised easily, but what could be causing this? Vitamin deficiency?
A: First, I would discourage you from crash dieting. If you are already thin, this is especially important. Starvation diets are bad for you in many ways, both physical and psychological.
Just to cover all the bases, and to make sure you don’t have a blood or clotting disorder, you should go see your physician. She may want to order some lab tests to check for anemia, high blood sugar, poor clotting mechanism or a prolonged bleeding time.
In the meantime, strengthen your capillaries by taking vitamin C supplements (3000 mg.) and bioflavonoid supplements (1,000 to 2000 mg.). Also, start eating a more well-rounded diet that includes quality protein, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
