Common Vitamin Deficiency Problems

When the body doesn’t get enough of the vitamins that it needs, problems can occur. While vitamin deficiencies are relatively uncommon in industrialized nations such as the United States or the United Kingdom, there are unique and special reasons that cause vitamin deficiencies may occur. Industrialized nations use fortification to allow citizens to get the daily required amount of vitamins. Foods such as bread, cereal, and milk are often loaded up with vitamins and minerals to help our bodies get the fuels that they need to function properly. In this article, we will address the different problems associated with getting a lack of vitamins, and what might be the cause behind the deficiencies.

Vitamin A is found in fish, liver, and a host of fruits and vegetables including apricots, broccoli, garlic, parsley, papaya, sweet potatoes and asparagus. Since Vitamin A is used by many parts of the human body, a lack of Vitamin A can result in problems with acne, allergies, a loss of appetite, and even blindness. In the third world, thousands of children per year go blind due to a lack of this crucial element. Night blindness is a precursor to full blindness due to a lack of Vitamin A. The body’s immune functions are depressed when deficient in Vitamin A, weakening the self-defense system against bodily invaders.

The Vitamin B Complex is a collection of vitamins which can be found in dairy products, high protein nuts and vegetables, oatmeal, raisins, and brown rice. A person deficient in Vitamin B can experience many unfortunate side effects. Loss of appetite, hair loss, high cholesterol, hypertension, and anemia are some side effects caused by this deficiency.

Vitamin C is one of the most commonly discussed vitamins, and it can be found in citrus fruits, beef liver, and most other fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C helps to form procollagen, an important connective substance used throughout the body. A lack of Vitamin C can contribute to anemia, bleeding gums, shortness of breath and muscle degeneration, as well as the dread condition known as scurvy.

Vitamin D is unique in that it can be found in fish and dairy products, but also be produced by our own bodies! Rays of sunlight that touch our skin help our body to create this necessary nutrient. A lack of this vitamin can contribute to brittle, fragile bones, diarrhea, insomnia, and low blood calcium levels.

Vitamin E is a substance that is found mostly in plant oils and whole grains. People with deficiencies in Vitamin E may suffer from gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting, and decreased circulation.

Vitamin K comprises the last of the lettered vitamins, and it can be obtained through eating dark and leafy vegetables. It works in tandem with Vitamin D, and brittle, fragile bones can occur as well as poor blood clotting when the body is lacking this crucial compound.

As you can see, it is of utmost importance for you to maintain the levels of vitamins that your body needs. While a proper diet can account for most of the nutrients we need, multivitamins are available for sale to help you supplement your diet, ensuring that you receive all the vitamins that you need.