A diet lacking crucial nutrients can result in numerous unpleasant symptoms. When you see these symptoms, understand that they are your body’s way of communicating and signaling the signs of the vitamins and minerals it lacks. Vitamin deficiencies can affect all ages, but the most susceptible could be young children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly.
In simple terms, vitamin deficiencies alter how your body functions and disrupts processes. Once these signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are spotted, it is critical to resolve them promptly. These deficiencies can even lead to diseases and life-altering conditions. For example, inadequate iron can cause anemia, while you may experience brittle bones due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
Here’s what to look out for as signs of vitamin deficiency.
1. Mouth Ulcers: Vitamin B12
Visible cracks in or near the corners of your mouth may be a cue that your intake of vitamin B is insufficient. If unsure, you should schedule an immediate medical house call with concierge Medicine in San Francisco, where they can evaluate and diagnose you and begin treatment to correct the vitamin deficiency.
You can also reach for foods rich in iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and pyridoxine, such as legumes, seeds, nuts, meat, fish, and poultry, to help relieve symptoms.
2. Poor Night Vision: Vitamin A
If you are experiencing difficulty or an inability to see in low light or darkness, also called night blindness, you might have a Vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A produces rhodopsin, a pigment that aids in seeing at night. Your eyes require specific pigments for proper retinal function. Vitamin A deficiency disrupts your eye’s capacity to manufacture these pigments, which can result in night blindness.
If you struggle to drive or see clearly at night, incorporate more vitamin A-rich foods like eggs, fish, and dairy into your regimen.
3. Hair Loss: Iron, Niacin, Biotin, and Zinc
Many people experience hair loss by the time they reach age fifty, which could be due to genetics, medications, hormone imbalances, and more. Hair loss can also stem from a lack of iron, niacin, Biotin, Zinc, Linoleic, or alpha-linoleic acid.
Alleviate these deficiencies by consuming a diet rich in fish, meat, legumes, nuts, and wholegrain, which are high in zinc and iron. For niacin, add leafy green vegetables to the mix.
It is also essential to state that unless healthcare professionals confirm a deficiency, you should be cautious about self-diagnosing or treating yourself due to the risk of overdosing on key vitamins and nutrients.
4. Bleeding Gums: Vitamin C
Those experiencing frequent bleeding of the gums may lack sufficient Vitamin C levels. The role of Vitamin C is an active antioxidant with a direct role to play in wound healing and immunity and also helps prevent cell damage.
However, you should know that your body cannot produce the Vitamin C required, necessitating healthy levels obtained through dietary sources or with supplementation.
Reduce your risk of vitamin C deficiency by loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables, the primary source of this crucial nutrient. Aside from bleeding gums, delayed wound healing, frequent nose bleeds, and dry, scaly skin may be due to diminished levels of vitamin C in your body.
Last Thoughts
If you are concerned about a possible vitamin deficiency, your immediate action should be to call a health professional to address your situation, get a formal diagnosis, and discuss an appropriate action plan. Nonetheless, ensure that you eat a diet rich in all nutrients your body needs to function at its best.
