Vitamin D is essential for bone health and can help prevent diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If you have the above symptoms and have ruled out other health conditions, you may be suffering from a nutrient deficiency. Preventing and detecting the most common ones, such as calcium, essential fatty acids, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, B12, C, and D, can be achieved by monitoring and adjusting your diet, considering taking dietary supplements, and talking to your healthcare provider if you suspect you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
In the USA. UU. Folic acid, one of many B vitamins, plays a role in keeping red blood cells healthy and is particularly important during pregnancy, as women with low stores of folic acid are more likely to have a baby with a neural tube defect (such as spina bifida). Outside of pregnancy, folic acid helps prevent anemia and heart disease.
People who don't eat enough fruits and vegetables (or who overcook vegetables) are at the highest risk of developing folate deficiency. People who consume large amounts of alcohol or who take certain medications (such as phenytoin, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, triamterene, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and barbiturates) are at greater risk of developing folic acid deficiency. Symptoms may be similar to those caused by iron deficiency, such as fatigue, lethargy, hair loss, and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency anemia can cause general fatigue, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, pale skin, and chest pain.
In pregnant women, iron levels should be routinely monitored, as pregnant women are at greater risk of developing this condition. Vitamin A is essential in replacing skin cells and for maintaining optimal vision and a healthy immune system. For this reason, people with a vitamin A deficiency are at greater risk of getting a serious infection. Because children are prone to infections, it's crucial for children under 5 to get enough vitamin A in their diets or through supplements.
In adults, one of the main warning signs of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. Vitamin B12, one of eight types of B vitamins, helps form red blood cells, improves neurological function and provides building blocks for DNA. People most at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency are vegans, people with intestinal problems that limit vitamin absorption, older adults, and people who take long-term heartburn medications. The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are similar to those of anemia, such as weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and mood changes.
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in the body, helping to prevent damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps in the formation of hormones and amino acids; it also helps with the absorption of iron. The most well-known effect of vitamin C deficiency is scurvy, a fatal disease if left untreated that causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums, easy bruising, weakness, fatigue, skin rashes and difficulty healing wounds. While scurvy is rare today, adequate vitamin C intake is still crucial for optimal health, as vitamin C regulates collagen production.
Vitamin D is unique in that most vitamin D can be produced in our bodies when exposed to adequate amounts of UVB radiation from sunlight. The key function of vitamin D is to regulate calcium absorption. People with a vitamin D deficiency can't absorb that calcium and, in turn, strengthen their bones. However, vitamin D plays other important roles for general health, such as supporting bone health, cardiovascular health, testosterone and immune function.
The body cannot produce micronutrients. You must acquire them through diet (. Some very common nutrient deficiencies include vitamin A, iodine, folic acid and iron deficiencies, which can have devastating consequences. .
