The majority of Americans suffer from at least one vitamin deficiency, but don’t even know it. It’s easy to pass off that fatigue as not getting enough sleep, or attribute the brittle hair to stress. It’s a growing problem, however, and it helps to know what you’re looking for so you can live a fuller life.
What Causes Vitamin Deficiency
The SAD (Standard American Diet) is one of the more varied diets on the planet. We have access to so many different foods that it should be easy to get all or most of the vitamins we need. Unfortunately, so many foods are processed that they’ve lost the majority of their nutrients. Some of the most important vitamins are replaced, which is why you’ll find cereals and milk that are fortified with things like iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin D. What many don’t realize is that there are far more vitamins and minerals that are required in order for our bodies to function properly.
Even if you eat well, plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, it can be difficult to cover all the bases and it’s not uncommon even for those who pay careful attention to their diet to be lacking in one or more vitamins.
Correcting a Vitamin Deficiency
While the ideal solution would be to eat the perfect combination of foods to get the right amount of vitamins, it isn’t very practical in today’s hectic world. Most people simply don’t have the time to meticulously plan and source their meals for maximum vitamin absorption. Eating right is definitely a step in the right direction, but you will probably need to use supplements, as well.
Vitamin supplements can be purchased individually or in multi-vitamins. If you just want to be sure that you’re getting a good mix of vitamins, then the multi is a good choice. However, for those who are receiving what they need in their diet and are only deficient in one or two things, then the individual supplements can be the way to go. This allows you to tailor the mix to fit your individual needs.
Signs of Vitamin Deficiency
While each vitamin has its own problems brought on by its lack, there are some general indications that you need to look into a multi-vitamin. When your body doesn’t receive the nutrition it needs, you’ll find that you are worn out, even after sleeping a full night. Fatigue is a very common symptom of a deficiency. Excessive hair loss, skin rashes and anemia are also signs that you are lacking something.
When the body is low on one or more vitamins, the immune system is often compromised, as well. This means that diseases like a simple cold or the flu will tend to last longer than normal and you may find that you are more prone to infections than usual. If you pay attention to your body, you will notice if something is wrong.
Vitamin A: When you are low in this vitamin, eye problems result. First, night blindness and dry eyes, then more severe issues indicate problems. In countries where Vitamin A is not available readily, people can even go blind from lack of it. In children, a deficiency could be apparent with a failure to grow properly.
Vitamin B: There are several vitamins included in this group. B1 causes beriberi in its absence, a disease that results in muscle weakness and brain damage. Lack of B2 can cause hair loss, ulcers in the mouth and on the skin, rashes and itchiness, among other symptoms.
If you don’t have enough B3, you could develop pellagra, which usually presents itself in the form of stomach problems and diarrhea, as well as rashes caused by the sun. Too little B5 and you’ll suffer from fatigue, nausea, headaches and tingling in the hands and feet. B6 deficiency usually results in anemia, feelings of dizziness and loss of hair.
Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is particularly important for women of child-bearing age. A lack of it during pregnancy could cause spina bifida in the unborn child or spontaneous abortion. B12 is another important vitamin, without which you suffer from the same symptoms as B5 deficiency.
Vitamin C: It’s fairly rare to find a deficiency in Vitamin C, since so many processed foods are already fortified, but taking extra means your immune system will be stronger. Signs that you are lacking in this important vitamin include fatigue, bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds.
Vitamin D: The lack of this vitamin has been named as a cause of certain kinds of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. Less severe symptoms of deficiency include twitching muscles, sleep issues (particularly in small children), pain in the joints and osteoporosis.
Vitamin E: Not enough Vitamin E usually results in eye problems, especially a limit to how far you can move your eyes upwards. Severe deficiency could result in blindness. Lack of this vitamin can also cause fertility issues, miscarriages, as well as problems with the liver, brain and bone marrow.
Vitamin K: Anyone low on this vitamin will find that they bruise easily and tend to bleed more than normal with small cuts and scratches. Frequent nosebleeds could be a sign that you are low on Vitamin K.
Even if you feel that you get enough of each vitamin, that might not be true. Some foods, such as carbonated beverages, act as barriers, preventing the absorption of certain vitamins, so while you may be ingesting enough, your body might not be actually absorbing everything. This is one area that multi-vitamins treat well, since they have the optimum mix of vitamins to enhance the actual absorption.
To stay strong and healthy, it’s important to let your body have what it needs. Vitamin deficiencies are often mild in Western countries, but they do affect the quality of life and when it’s something so easy to treat, why not fix the problem?
Remember, this article is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. If you suspect there is something wrong, be sure to see your doctor.
Related posts:
- Will You Pick A Multi-Vitamin That Works?
- B12 Vitamin overdose, is it a myth or a real possibility?
- Vitamin Supplements, Vitamins And Mineral Supplements, Supplements Vitamins, Vitamin Supplement Best
- Vitamins – the Basics
Tags: Could, Deficiency, Signs, Vitamin
Good facts, a lot of thanks for the author. It can be incomprehensible to me now, but in basic, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!
A person important factor I enjoy about blog posts is the fact that they spark an concept in my brain. Soon after that comes about, I really feel as I must comment with all the hope it is beneficial to many people.
Good articles! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing a nice info.I came across your web site and it really is wonderful for my situation. It covers excellent and beneficial posts. I read just about all of them and got so much from them. If you ask me, you are accomplishing an excellent work. Keep on! I would like to thank you for making a very fantastic web site.
This is probably the most outstanding blogs Ive study inside a very long time. The volume of info in here is stunning, like you practically wrote the book on the subject matter. Your blog is excellent for anyone who would like to fully grasp this subject matter additional. Great things; please keep it up!
I dont know what to say. This can be certainly one of many greater blogs Ive study. Youre so insightful, have so much real things to bring towards the table. I wish that a lot more men and women go through this and get what I got from it: chills. Fantastic job and good website. I cant wait to study additional, continue to keep them comin!
People who had looked at the pictures of people sneezing, coughing, or otherwise showing signs of disease had a stronger immune response than people who had looked at pictures of men aiming guns at them. This kind of response to the sight of diseased people may have been evolutionarily adaptive, according to Schaller and his colleagues. Although an aggressive immune response has infection-fighting benefits, it’s also costly – it consumes energy and can be temporarily debilitating. It may have been adaptive for the immune system to react especially aggressively when additional information indicates that the threat of infection appears high. According to Schaller, “The things we see around us, such as the sight of sick people, can provide that kind of information. And it makes sense for the immune system to respond to it. colon cleanse can helps restore healthy immune
I think this is one of the healthiest vegetables. It always helps satisfies my hunger and doesn’t have much calories versus the amount.
It is a terrific article, but I was questioning how do I suscribe for the RSS feed?
Your writing style is pretty great, do you have a medical background?
I take it that in the medical field, do you think the nurses still are mistreated?
Bear and Find the best Smokeless Cigarette brands. Parade and purchase all the latest and Surmount Rated Smokeless Cigarettes that are available.
Hi very nice blog here, you can get more info from http://www.eurovoxsoftware.com too i will share your blog with friends. Thanks alot
Smokeless cigarettes are those cigarettes which beat a hasty retreat on battery and they coerce no flame. These cigarettes include no tobacco in them and give.
Surprise, the article is in reality the newest on this deserving topic. I harmonize with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates. Just saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the best lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Genuine work and much success in your business enterprise!
Electronic cigarette smokers like the mental image of smoking. The motivation may be inspired close to the mouthful of the nicotine or the physical skit of having an.
Vitamin K is one of the important vitamins. But what kind of foods with vitamin k taste the best for my baby?
Although it is basic science, a lot of people don’t have clue about what causes vitamin D deficiency. If you are in the same boat, you may study something about vitamin D by reading this article on my blog. What was your first symptoms of vitamin d deficiency?
Looking at several of your articles or blog posts I must say i found this specific one to be really good. I have a blog site also and would like to repost a few snips of your respective articles on my personal blog website. Would it be ok if I use this so long as I reference your site or generate a back link to the write-up I took the snip from? If not I am aware of and would not do it without your authorization . I have book marked this particular write-up to twitter as well as squidoo account for reference. Anyway thank you either way!
Comfortably, the article is in reality the greatest on this noteworthy topic. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be enough, for the extraordinary lucidity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Genuine work and much success in your business efforts!
In the world of Trance Music, the term Trance Albums covers a lot of territory. Going to see Roger Shah Tonight. Its gonna be impressive. There playing with Kaskade. Then next saturday ill be seeing Ferry Corsten. excellent nights ahead . Some trance music, like that of Armin Van Buuren or Tiesto, sounds very close to Classical music. Carl Cox and ATB create music that is equally at home on the dance floor, in the car, or at home on headphones. At the other end of the spectrum, artists like Myon & Shane 54 and John B are pushing the boundaries of popular electronic music with their more abstract trance music .
This is the third era I came to your blog, I like your blog very much, likelihood your extra noble …
Some very interesting points but i think your research and bias leaves a lot to be desired. Then of course, that’s just my opinion. Have a great day definitely a thought-provoking post.
Look for for Electronic Cigarette PCC Starter Kits. Approximate Smokeless Cigarettes to unearth the most desirable prices.
Keep up the good work. Everyone is opened to there opinion. Excellent blog here, i am still reading
Thank you very noble blog
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
These are impressive articles. Keep up the sunny handiwork.