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4 Common Vitamin Deficiencies And How To Remedy Them

01 January 2006 · Viewed 5234 times · Disclaimer & Terms
Tags: vitamin deficiencies, human body, eating healthy
4 Common Vitamin Deficiencies And How To Remedy Them

You would think that in a country like the United States vitamin deficiencies would be rare. But it is really shocking how common some vitamin deficiencies are. Even more shocking is that a lot of people who have them don’t know it. They may believe the malaise they have is just part of life/being old/being a woman. Here are four very common vitamin deficiencies:

 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the very few nutrients that the human body can make on its own. It is made from cholesterol and acts very much like a hormone. Still, about 42 percent of people who live in the United States are deficient in vitamin D, and the number is higher if the person is elderly or dark-skinned.

 

The signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults may take years to manifest, but in children, it can lead to a condition called rickets, where the child’s bones are soft and the child does not grow normally. Eventually, an adult who has a vitamin D deficiency may suffer bone loss that puts them at risk of fractures and weakened muscles.

 

Vitamin D is not abundant in most foods, though cod liver oil and cold-water fatty fish such as salmon and sardines have good amounts of it. Breakfast cereals, milk, and orange juice are also fortified with vitamin D.

 

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin and is found almost exclusively in animal protein. Because of this, vegetarians are most likely to have a B12 deficiency. Elderly people are also more likely to have a deficiency in this vitamin since they are less able to absorb it. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the metabolism of the nerves and supports the functioning of iron in the body.

 

As with vitamin D, the signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency can take years to appear. This is because the body stores the vitamin and over time the stores are depleted. Symptoms include soreness and weakness in the person’s legs and arms, diminished reflexes, difficulty in walking and talking and spasms in the limbs. It may also cause symptoms that resemble dementia. Some older people may be diagnosed with this condition when they really have vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

Vitamin B12 is abundant in organ meats, especially liver and kidneys. Other sources are muscle meats, dairy products, and fish.

 

Vitamin C

This fat-soluble vitamin is an antioxidant, which means it protects the body from damage from free radical molecules. Its main job is to help the body produce collagen, a springy protein that helps build the structures of the body such as skin, bones, and ligaments. It helps heal wounds and burns, helps form red blood and fight infections. It is abundant in fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

Signs and symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency are shortness of breath, bleeding gums, weakened tooth enamel and lowered resistance. People with the deficiency bruise easily, and their wounds heal slowly. A severe deficiency results in a disease called scurvy.

 

Vitamin B6

Lso called pyridine, vitamin B6 is required for the proper absorption of vitamin B12. It is a three-part nutrient made up of pyridoxine, pyridoxine, and pyridoxamine. It helps the body produce magnesium and the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for digestion and the breakdown of vitamin B12. It supports the production antibodies and red blood cells, helps the liver release glycogen for energy and helps the body use proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

 

Symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency include low blood sugar and low glucose tolerance, hair loss, cracks around the mouth and eyes, cramps and numbness in the arms and legs, arthritis and edema during pregnancy. The best sources of vitamin B6 are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, and meats, including desiccated liver.

 

Buying Supplements

Besides adding foods rich in the vitamins you are deficient in, you can purchase supplements from a pharmacy or natural food store or search for them online. If you buy online, be sure to check out reviews like these Xyngular reviews to be sure the product is what you’re looking for.

 

First, you will need to have a consultation with your doctor to find out which nutrients you are deficient in. You should discuss whether you should take it as a liquid, powder or pill, how long you should take it and which are the best brands that manufacturer and sell the vitamins. Some vitamins shouldn’t be taken with certain drugs or even foods, and you may have to interrupt their use if you are considering surgery. With this knowledge in hand, you should be able to find a supplement that can bring the levels of the vitamin you lack back to normal.

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