10 Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms
We tend to hear quite a lot about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet. It is for very good reasons as well because it is very important to our health. It is important to have a varied diet because this helps to ensure we get all the nutrition that we need.
Vitamins are a very important part of this nutrition as they help with numerous functions in our body. They help to keep everything running smoothly and help to keep us in good health overall.
If you don’t get enough vitamins in your diet then you could fall quite ill. Here are just a few of the signs that you have a vitamin deficiency.
Symptom #1: Poor Wound Healing
This is a non-specific symptom that is associated with many conditions such as diabetes and particularly with vitamin C deficiency. When our body is lacking vitamin C, we can expect our wounds to heal slower, we can also have easy bruising and if this condition is left untreated, it can cause many other complications like anemia.
Symptom #2: Mouth Ulcers
Ulcers can appear pretty much anywhere on the body, including in the mouth. Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, can be quite painful and will often arise when somebody is feeling run down. They can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies. While they can be painful, they will usually pass harmlessly in time.
Canker sores have been linked with insufficient vitamin B or iron. When caused by vitamin deficiencies, mouth ulcers are often found in the corners of the mouth. They are fairly easy to deal with, though, as all it takes is to include the right types of food in your diet.
Symptom #3: Poor Night Vision
There is a well-repeated saying that carrots help you to see in the dark. This actually originates from WWII when the RAF was trying to make people think their pilots had excellent night vision due to eating the vegetables. They were really trying to hide the fact that their fighter planes were equipped with top-secret radar.
That is not to say that diet cannot affect our vision, though. If you are not getting enough vitamin A in your diet, then it could mean that you begin to lose your ability to see when it is dark.
Symptom #4: Brittle Hair
Many people spend a lot of time getting their hair just right. This is often done with shampoos, conditioners, and other products while eating a healthy diet can also help. If you don’t get enough vitamins in your diet then you could end up finding it even harder to keep your hair looking good.
Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is common in our food, making vitamin B7 deficiencies quite rare. It can happen though, particularly among people that have certain conditions. People with a vitamin B7 deficiency can find that their hair becomes brittle, while their nails can also become brittle.
Symptom #5: Hair Loss
Hair loss is just a part of life for many men, while very few women will experience the problem. It is usually just a matter of age, although there are some other factors that can contribute to it. It will often be overlooked as being just one of those things, but it can be a sign that you are not getting the right vitamins in your diet.
Hair loss can be down to a deficiency of a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Thankfully, even a reasonably healthy diet should have all the vitamins that you need. If your hair is beginning to fall out and you think something might be wrong, you should arrange to get it checked out.
Symptom #6: Dandruff
Many people have had dandruff at some point in their lives. It is caused by a skin disorder that causes the skin on the scalp to become flaky. This can cause unsightly white flakes in the hair, although it is harmless otherwise.
There are numerous potential causes for dandruff and a vitamin deficiency is one of them. Various B vitamins, in particular, may be responsible while a lack of various minerals can also lead to the condition. Medications are available that can help ease the symptoms. Ensuring you get enough vitamins can also be of use.
Symptom #7: Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that is quite similar to dandruff. It is caused by a type of yeast that feeds on the oils on the skin. It can lead to red, inflamed skin and can affect the face, groin, armpits, and chest. There are various potential causes and a vitamin deficiency is one of them.
As with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis can be caused by a deficiency of B vitamins and certain minerals. Fortunately, these vitamins and minerals are fairly common so it should not be difficult for us to replace them, although supplements are available if needed. Patients with seborrheic dermatitis can also try using washes such as Selsun to ease the symptoms.
Symptom #8: Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums are often down to gum disease, but not always. The symptom can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, in particular, a lack of vitamin C. In fact, bleeding gums is a symptom of scurvy, which itself is well known for being a symptom of a vitamin C deficiencies. In the age of exploration, ships would carry a supply of limes to make sure sailors had all the vitamin C that they needed.
Vitamin C is present in many fruits and vegetables so it should be quite easy for you to get plenty of it. You will also find plenty of vitamin C supplements if needed.
Symptom #9: Weakened Bones
A strong and healthy skeleton is very important to us so we should take as much care of it as we can. We need our bones to remain as strong as possible and this means eating the right foods. If our bones become weaker than usual then we are more likely to suffer breaks. This can be extremely painful, as well as limiting our mobility.
If you don’t get enough vitamin K, then your bones can become weaker as a result. The same goes for calcium and some other minerals. Some green, leafy vegetables are very high in vitamin K content, while it can also be found in a lot of other foods.
Symptom #10: Diarrhea
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is essential for our body’s well-being. Without it, we can suffer from a condition known as Pellagra. This disease is due to niacin deficiency and causes severe diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis.
If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications.
