| The majority of Americans suffer from at least one | | | | deficiency could be apparent with a failure to grow |
| vitamin deficiency, but don't even know it. It's easy | | | | properly. |
| to pass off that fatigue as not getting enough sleep, | | | | Vitamin B: There are several vitamins included in this |
| or attribute the brittle hair to stress. It's a growing | | | | group. B1 causes beriberi in its absence, a disease |
| problem, however, and it helps to know what you're | | | | that results in muscle weakness and brain damage. |
| looking for so you can live a fuller life. | | | | Lack of B2 can cause hair loss, ulcers in the mouth |
| What Causes Vitamin Deficiency | | | | and on the skin, rashes and itchiness, among other |
| The SAD (Standard American Diet) is one of the | | | | symptoms. |
| more varied diets on the planet. We have access to | | | | If you don't have enough B3, you could develop |
| so many different foods that it should be easy to | | | | pellagra, which usually presents itself in the form of |
| get all or most of the vitamins we need. | | | | stomach problems and diarrhea, as well as rashes |
| Unfortunately, so many foods are processed that | | | | caused by the sun. Too little B5 and you'll suffer from |
| they've lost the majority of their nutrients. Some of | | | | fatigue, nausea, headaches and tingling in the hands |
| the most important vitamins are replaced, which is | | | | and feet. B6 deficiency usually results in anemia, |
| why you'll find cereals and milk that are fortified with | | | | feelings of dizziness and loss of hair. |
| things like iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin D. What many | | | | Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is particularly |
| don't realize is that there are far more vitamins and | | | | important for women of child-bearing age. A lack of it |
| minerals that are required in order for our bodies to | | | | during pregnancy could cause spina bifida in the |
| function properly. | | | | unborn child or spontaneous abortion. B12 is another |
| Even if you eat well, plenty of fresh fruit and | | | | important vitamin, without which you suffer from the |
| veggies, it can be difficult to cover all the bases and | | | | same symptoms as B5 deficiency. |
| it's not uncommon even for those who pay careful | | | | Vitamin C: It's fairly rare to find a deficiency in |
| attention to their diet to be lacking in one or more | | | | Vitamin C, since so many processed foods are |
| vitamins. | | | | already fortified, but taking extra means your |
| Correcting a Vitamin Deficiency | | | | immune system will be stronger. Signs that you are |
| While the ideal solution would be to eat the perfect | | | | lacking in this important vitamin include fatigue, |
| combination of foods to get the right amount of | | | | bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds. |
| vitamins, it isn't very practical in today's hectic world. | | | | Vitamin D: The lack of this vitamin has been named |
| Most people simply don't have the time to | | | | as a cause of certain kinds of cancer, such as breast |
| meticulously plan and source their meals for maximum | | | | and colon cancer. Less severe symptoms of |
| vitamin absorption. Eating right is definitely a step in | | | | deficiency include twitching muscles, sleep issues |
| the right direction, but you will probably need to use | | | | (particularly in small children), pain in the joints and |
| supplements, as well. | | | | osteoporosis. |
| Vitamin supplements can be purchased individually or | | | | Vitamin E: Not enough Vitamin E usually results in eye |
| in multi-vitamins. If you just want to be sure that | | | | problems, especially a limit to how far you can move |
| you're getting a good mix of vitamins, then the multi | | | | your eyes upwards. Severe deficiency could result in |
| is a good choice. However, for those who are | | | | blindness. Lack of this vitamin can also cause fertility |
| receiving what they need in their diet and are only | | | | issues, miscarriages, as well as problems with the |
| deficient in one or two things, then the individual | | | | liver, brain and bone marrow. |
| supplements can be the way to go. This allows you | | | | Vitamin K: Anyone low on this vitamin will find that |
| to tailor the mix to fit your individual needs. | | | | they bruise easily and tend to bleed more than |
| Signs of Vitamin Deficiency | | | | normal with small cuts and scratches. Frequent |
| While each vitamin has its own problems brought on | | | | nosebleeds could be a sign that you are low on |
| by its lack, there are some general indications that | | | | Vitamin K. |
| you need to look into a multi-vitamin. When your | | | | Even if you feel that you get enough of each |
| body doesn't receive the nutrition it needs, you'll find | | | | vitamin, that might not be true. Some foods, such as |
| that you are worn out, even after sleeping a full | | | | carbonated beverages, act as barriers, preventing the |
| night. Fatigue is a very common symptom of a | | | | absorption of certain vitamins, so while you may be |
| deficiency. Excessive hair loss, skin rashes and anemia | | | | ingesting enough, your body might not be actually |
| are also signs that you are lacking something. | | | | absorbing everything. This is one area that |
| When the body is low on one or more vitamins, the | | | | multi-vitamins treat well, since they have the |
| immune system is often compromised, as well. This | | | | optimum mix of vitamins to enhance the actual |
| means that diseases like a simple cold or the flu will | | | | absorption. |
| tend to last longer than normal and you may find | | | | To stay strong and healthy, it's important to let your |
| that you are more prone to infections than usual. If | | | | body have what it needs. Vitamin deficiencies are |
| you pay attention to your body, you will notice if | | | | often mild in Western countries, but they do affect |
| something is wrong. | | | | the quality of life and when it's something so easy to |
| Vitamin A: When you are low in this vitamin, eye | | | | treat, why not fix the problem? |
| problems result. First, night blindness and dry eyes, | | | | Remember, this article is not intended to diagnose or |
| then more severe issues indicate problems. In | | | | treat any disease. If you suspect there is something |
| countries where Vitamin A is not available readily, | | | | wrong, be sure to see your doctor. |
| people can even go blind from lack of it. In children, a | | | | |