HOW DOES VITAMIN DEFICIENCY EFFECT YOU?

Vitamin deficiency anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells caused when you have lower than normal amounts of certain vitamins. Vitamins linked to vitamin deficiency anemia include folate, vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, just to name a few.

 

Vitamin deficiency anemia can occur if you don't eat enough foods containing folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin C, or it can occur if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins.

 

Vitamin deficiency anemia develops when your body has a shortage of the vitamins needed to produce enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs throughout your body.

 

If your diet is lacking in certain vitamins, vitamin deficiency anemia can develop. Or vitamin deficiency anemia may develop because your body can't properly absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat.

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WHAT SYMPTOMS MIGHT YOU HAVE WITH A VITAMIN OR MINERAL DEFICIENCY?

 

Symptoms

There are a number of different symptoms of vitamin deficiency. Usually, noticeable effects do not begin to develop until you have had several months of low vitamin levels.

 

Common symptoms of vitamin deficiency include:

Fatigue, low energy

 Loss of bone density

 Dry skin and hair

 Depression

 Irritability

Easy bruising or bleeding

Poor wound healing (sores that last for a long time)

Predisposition to infections

Skin color changes

 

Complications

Prolonged vitamin deficiency can cause more serious health issue that may not improve, even with treatment.

 

Severe vitamin deficiencies can cause:

 Decreased sensation of the hands and feet

Weakness of the toes and fingers

Vision loss

Memory loss

Behavioral changes

Shortness of breath

Tachycardia (a rapid Heart rate)

 

Causes

The most obvious cause of vitamin deficiency is related to your diet. Vitamins are complex molecules present in fruit, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, and seafood. Each vitamin is found in more than one type of food, and some foods are fortified with vitamins. For example, milk, naturally contains calcium (which is a mineral, not a vitamin) and it is fortified with vitamin D. Pasta, rice, and cereal are often fortified with a variety of vitamins. In addition to dietary factors, medical conditions can affect your absorption of vitamins, even if your dietary vitamin intake is adequate.

 

Dietary Risk Factors

Some diets can make you prone to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in meats—a vegan or vegetarian diet can increase the risk of vitamin B12 and biotin deficiency. If you are dairy-free, then you can become deficient in vitamin D.

 

A gluten-free diet is a diet low in grains, which are naturally rich in vitamins and are also often fortified with vitamins. So a gluten-free diet can make you deficiency in many vitamins, including folate, and thiamine.

 

A diet that is high in processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables can result in vitamin E and vitamin K deficiency.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency

 

Dry Skin

Dry Eyes

 Night Blindness

Infertility and Trouble Conceiving

Delayed Growth

Throat and Chest Infections

Poor Wound Healing

Acne and Breakouts

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

 

Being Sick or Getting Infections Often

 Fatigue and Tiredness

 Bone and Back Pain

Depression

 Impaired Wound Healing

 Bone Loss

Hair Loss

Muscle Pain

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency

 

Difficulty with Walking or Coordination

 Muscle Pain or Weakness

Visual Disturbances

General Un-wellness

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

 

Bruises Easily

Gets Small Blood Clots Underneath Their Nails

Bleeds in Mucous Membranes That Line Areas Inside the Body

Produces Stool That Looks Dark Black (almost like tar) and Contains Some Blood

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B1 Deficiency

 

Loss of Appetite

Fatigue and Tiredness

 Irritability

Reduced Reflexes

Tingling Sensation in Arms and Legs

 Muscle Weakness

 Blurry Vision

Nausea and Vomiting

Changes in Heart Rate

Shortness of Breath

Delirium

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B2 Deficiency

 

Tiredness or Fatigue

Weakness

Constipation

 Loss of Appetite

Weight Loss

Numbness and Tingling in the Hands and Feet

Balance Problems

Confusion

Poor Memory

 Soreness of the Mouth or Tongue

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency

 

Thick, Scaly Pigmented Rash on Skin Exposed to Sunlight.

 Swollen Mouth and Bright Red Tongue.

 Vomiting and Diarrhea.

 Headache.

Apathy.

 Fatigue.

Depression.

 Disorientation.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B5 Deficiency

 

Fatigue

 Insomnia

Depression

 Irritability

 Vomiting

Stomach Pains

Burning Feet

Upper Respiratory Infections.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

 

Skin Rashes

Cracked and Sore Lips

 Sore, Glossy Tongue

Mood Changes

Weakened Immune Function

Tiredness and Low Energy

Tingling and Pain in Hands and Feet

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B7 Deficiency

 

Fine Scaly Seborrhea Dermatitis and/or a Red Rash.

 Brittle Hair or Hair Loss.

Conjunctivitis.

Poor co-ordination of Body Movements

 Lethargy

Loss of Appetite.

Mild Depression.

 Hallucination.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency

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Rough, Bumpy Skin

Corkscrew-Shaped Body Hair

Bright Red Hair Follicles

Spoon-Shaped Fingernails With Red Spots or Lines

Dry, Damaged Skin

Easy Bruising

Slowly Healing Wounds

Painful, Swollen Joints

Weak Bones

Bleeding Gums and Tooth Loss

Poor Immunity

Persistent Iron Deficiency Anemia

Fatigue and Poor Mood

Unexplained Weight Gain

Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

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Vitamin Deficiency STUDIES:

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Improved Neurologic Function after Long-Term Correction of Vitamin E Deficiency in Children with Chronic Cholestasis

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Long-term neurologic consequences of nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency in infants

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Iron and Vitamin A Deficiency in Long-Term African Refugees

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Ancient Vitamin D Deficiency: Long-Term Trends

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