Signs of a vitamin deficiency - how to identify and defeat

Признаки нехватки витаминов — как определить и победить

Irritability, drowsiness & fatigue — these are the first signs of a lack of vitamins in the body. With the arrival of autumn or spring, many people feel a deterioration in well-being and a decrease in working capacity. Most often, the cause of ailments is a deficiency of vitamins and minerals.

However, you should not immediately run to the pharmacy for a vitamin complex. This can be a waste of time and injure health unless understand the reasons and consult doctor

The main signs of a lack of vitamins in the human body
Hypovitaminosis and hypervitaminosis: what is it and what causes
How to know which vitamin you are lacking
What to do if you suspect hypovitaminosis

The main signs of a lack of vitamins in the human body

For normal functioning, the human body needs vitamins. He does produce them himself, but gets them along with food. Vitamins perform important tasks for human health: they support the immune system and participate in metabolism.

Two categories of vitamins

Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) vitamins are stored in the body, so deficiency is rare. But an excess of these substances (especially A and D) threatens with serious consequences.
Water-soluble (C and group B, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin) vitamins do not accumulate, and their surplus is excreted in urine. Therefore, they must enter the body daily.

When any vitamin or group of vitamins is completely absent in the body, such a disease is called beriberi. It causes severe complications, disability and can lead to death of a person.

Hypovitaminosis and hypervitaminosis: what is it and what causes

In in we are dealing with hypovitaminosis, when there vitamins in the body, but they is not enough. That is why we feel worse in cold seasons or after taking certain antibiotics and medicines.

An excess of vitamins is called hypervitaminosis. It usually occurs against the background of improper intake of vitamin preparations and leads to various failures in the body.

Hypovitaminosis is common and can last for several years until the person becomes seriously ill. Lack of certain vitamins may not reveal itself in any way, but may cause disruption of the thyroid gland and digestion, baldness, rapid aging and the development of malignant tumors.

Signs of a lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis) in the body can be suspected by the general symptoms:

irritability and constant fatigue;
sleep disturbance or drowsiness;
poor appetite;
flaky skin, bleeding gums, whitish coating on tongue;
dry, split ends & dull hair;
thin, yellow nails;
skin rashes, dryness, excessive oiliness, acne;
eye inflammation, decreased vision;
frequent headaches, bad memory.

At the same time, each vitamin has its own symptoms, which are also worth paying attention to.

How to understand which vitamin you are lacking

With a lack of vitamin A there may be various visual impairments (decreased visual acuity in the evenings, conjunctivitis), brittleness and hair loss, dry and flaky skin, frequent colds, dry cough, a whitish grooves can be seen on the nails. Most vitamin A in animal products, seaweed, liver, broccoli and cottage cottage cheese.

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Lack of vitamins B1 and B2 manifests itself in constant irritation, decreased performance, poor memory and appetite. There are cracks in the corners of the mouth, conjunctivitis, an increased risk of developing skin infections and problems with the skin. For prevention, you should eat nuts, eggs, cereals, unpolished rice, milk and meat.

Vitamin B6 is especially necessary for those who have taken antibiotics for a long time. With its deficiency, dermatitis, mental disorders, poor memory and sleep can occur. Most of all, this vitamin is found in liver, bran, potatoes, bananas, beans, pork, cabbage and carrots.

With a deficiency of vitamin B12, anemia develops, cardiovascular diseases, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, poor appetite, tinnitus, goosebumps and tingling appear. Found in dairy products, liver, chicken, cheese and fish.

With a lack of vitamin C

, bleeding gums, scurvy, and dental disease can occur. Increases the risk of developing heart disease, and children experience developmental and growth retardation. Today, deficiency of this vitamin is rare, and it can be replenished by eating a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits.

If the body lacks vitamin D

, then brittle bones, weakness, lethargy, weak immunity appear, and rickets develop in children. Increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The best source of vitamin D — these are the rays of the sun. But according to recent studies, more than half of the world's population suffers from its lack. Therefore, some doctors recommend that adults and children regularly take it in the form of dietary supplements. It is also found in salmon, mackerel, eggs, dairy products and mushrooms.

What to do if you suspect you have hypovitaminosis

Of course, our body sends us signals about disturbances in the form of various symptoms. But not you can always figure out on your own what exactly it is connected with . The diagnosis of hypovitaminosis should be made by a doctor who will select a suitable vitamin complex and calculate its dose.

It's not worth prescribing vitamins on your own. Remember that an overdose of fat-soluble vitamins has a toxic effect.

To determine if you have a vitamin deficiency in the body and which ones, your doctor may order blood, urine, stool, and other laboratory tests. He will conduct an examination, clarify the lifestyle and analyze external symptoms. You may also need to consult a gastroenterologist, who will prescribe treatment based on the results of the tests..

Goal of treatment of hypovitaminosis — This is to replenish the lack of vitamins in the body. To do this, special attention is paid to a balanced diet, since most vitamins come to us through food. Multivitamin complexes are also prescribed in the form of capsules or injections.