How Vitamin Deficiencies Can Affect Your Health?
9th Apr 2024 Health Conditions
3 min read
Do you prepare meals at home or rely on that pizza takeaway down the road? Is the meal prepared from organic ingredients or ready-to-cook products? Do you take supplements like supergreens powder, or just hope what you eat is enough? Well, in any case, chances are that you lack essential vitamins.
The modern lifestyle is fast-paced and
artificial. Our diet comprises heavily processed and refined foods that don't
provide us with important vitamins, leading to deficiencies. But why are
vitamins important? How does a vitamin deficiency affect our health? If these
questions are in your mind, we are glad you found this post! Read on!
1. Dryness
Vitamin deficiencies can appear as dryness in
various parts of the body. This is particularly true for vitamins A and E.
Vitamin A is essential for skin health. It promotes cell turnover and moisture
retention. So, its deficiency can lead to dry, rough skin and even hair loss.
Similarly, Vitamin E is known for its
antioxidant properties and protects skin cells from damage. It helps maintain
healthy hair and scalp. Insufficient levels of it can cause dryness and
brittleness.
2. Fatigue
Being tired after work and feeling tired all
the time are two different things. If you wake up feeling drained and have to
rest a lot during the day, you're experiencing a vitamin deficiency. Lack of
essential vitamins like B12 and iron can cause fatigue and low energy levels.
B12 is crucial for red blood cell production
and energy metabolism, while iron deficiency affects oxygen transport. So, you
can understand why a deficiency of these vitamins can make you feel so weak and
lethargic.
3. Bruises & Bleeding
Vitamin K deficiency can result in issues
related to blood clotting, which include:
●
Easy bruising
●
Prolonged bleeding
●
Slow wound healing.
You see, this vitamin is very important for
the production of certain substances that are necessary for the formation of
blood clots and stop bleeding. Without enough vitamin K, the body's ability to
clot blood properly is impaired. This increases the likelihood of bruises from
minor injuries, prolonged bleeding after cuts or surgeries, and delayed wound
healing.
4. Infections
Vitamin C is not only important for better
skin. It also plays an essential role in the production and function of immune
cells, like white blood cells and antibodies. These cells defend our body
against pathogens, keeping us healthy.
However, if you're deficient in vitamin C, the
body becomes more susceptible to infections. It can't fight germs and diseases,
which means you fall sick more frequently and easily.
5. Fractures
Calcium and vitamin D are crucial for bone
density and strength, while vitamin K supports proper calcium utilization and
bone mineralization. So, an inadequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and
vitamin K can weaken bones and increase fracture risk. You may also experience
conditions like osteoporosis that make bones more fragile and prone to
fractures.
6. Changes in Skin Color
Deficiencies of certain vitamins can also
change the color of your skin. For example, if your body doesn’t have enough
vitamin C or B (6, 9, and 12 specifically), the skin may turn pale and whitish.
Similarly, a lack of vitamin D can result in
dark pigmentation (in dark-skinned individuals) and loss of pigmentation (in
light-skinned individuals). However, you should note that your entire skin
color won’t change. Only a few spots or patches will be different.
7. Bumpy Skin
Having red or white bumps on your skin is not
normal. This condition, Keratosis pilaris, usually occurs due to your genetic
makeup. If your ancestors had this issue, you might have it, too. But genetics
isn’t the only cause. People with insufficient levels of vitamins A and C also
experience these bumps on their cheeks, legs, and arms. These areas come with
ingrown hair, too.
8. Further Complications
Severe vitamin deficiencies are known to cause
certain health complications, like behavioral changes, rapid heartbeat,
shortness of breath, and shaking hands and feet. Some people may also
experience vision or memory loss.
A vitamin deficiency can become highly
dangerous for pregnant women. The lack of important nutrients can hinder the
growth and development of the baby, especially in the first ten weeks.
So, What Should You Do?
Vitamin deficiencies are common in today's
modern world. So, don't panic if you find some of the problems and signs above
relatable. These deficiencies can be reversed with the right nutrient intake.
You should visit a doctor to get a proper report of your vitamin deficiency
type and severity levels. Then, adjust your diet accordingly to make up for the
lost vitamins.
In case of severe and prolonged deficiencies,
you should consider taking supplements, like multivitamins, NMN, and super
greens powder. These nutrient-rich supplements help improve the condition
quickly. However, it's best to consult your doctor about the most suitable
options first.