Vitamin deficiencies can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Our body obtains important vitamins and minerals through diet, with certain food offering higher levels than others. Once we eat these foods and digest them, the vitamins can be absorbed into our blood, where they’re then used for essential functions within the body.
Depending on where you live and your diet, you may be more susceptible to deficiencies than some other people. It’s important to know the signs of a deficiency so you can adjust your diet accordingly and take supplements if needed. Vitamin supplements are one of the easiest ways to do this, and many people now take supplements to ensure they reach their recommended levels of important vitamins. You can find these at a vitamins and supplements shop, and they’re usually very affordable.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency
If you believe you might be deficient in a vitamin or mineral, you should speak to a healthcare professional. They can diagnose you and provide you with treatment and advice on how best to proceed. There are a lot of signs to look out for that can show you may be deficient in a certain vitamin. These include:
- Fatigue, weak bones, and changes in mood – Suffering from fatigue and regular tiredness can be caused by any number of issues. However, if you’re also suffering from mood changes and weak bonuses, you could be deficient in vitamin D. This essential vitamin is produced in our bodies when our skin is exposed to sunlight, and it’s important in a lot of functions throughout the body. Those living in areas that see little sunlight may be badly affected, as well as people who spend a lot of time indoors. You can find vitamin D supplements to help, although you should be careful not to exceed the recommended amount.
- Abnormal heart rhythm and numb or tingling fingers – Abnormal heart rhythm can be a very serious issue if left untreated, potentially leading to a lack of blood supply to your vital organs. Both this and numb or tingling fingers may be caused by a lack of calcium in your diet. Calcium is obtained from dairy products as well as dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli. You can also find calcium supplements if your diet is lacking. These symptoms are usually only seen in cases of severe deficiencies, so you may not know before it’s too late. As a result, it’s important to make sure your diet always contains enough calcium.
- Fatigue, shortness of breath, brittle nails, and cold extremities – These symptoms can often be caused by a lack of iron, which is an essential mineral. The body uses iron to create hemoglobin, a molecule that is responsible for carrying oxygen around the cardiovascular system. A lack of iron is quite common but will often result in anemia and other conditions if left untreated. You can find iron supplements, and it’s also present in a lot of foods. Beef, fortified cereals, beans, oysters, lentils, and spinach all contain high levels of iron and are important in a healthy and balanced diet.
Numbness, fatigue, swollen tongue – While some of these symptoms are found in deficiencies of other vitamins, they can usually be associated with a lack of vitamin B12 when all together. B12 is a very important vitamin for the body, helping to improve neurotransmitter function in the brain as well as maintaining healthy nerves and red blood cells. It’s normally found in meat products, and those who follow a plant-based diet are typically more likely to suffer from this deficiency. You can find vitamin B12 supplements very easily or look for foods that are fortified with B12, such as plant milk.
