The body is unable to form vitamins, so you need to get it from food or supplements. Even though the need is small, vitamin deficiency can cause disturbing symptoms to serious health problems.
Causes of vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems worldwide.
This condition, also known as vitamin deficiency or avitaminosis, occurs when the body does not get the vitamins it needs.
This one nutritional problem can affect everyone from every age group.
However, those most at risk are pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. This is because their nutritional needs are greater than other groups.
Unfortunately, vitamin deficiencies are often diagnosed or even detected when the condition is severe enough. In fact, even a mild level of avitaminosis can cause real health problems.
Causes of vitamin deficiencies include an unbalanced diet, taking medications that interfere with the absorption of nutrients, or both.
In addition, there are several medical conditions that can cause vitamin deficiency, such as:
1. Crohn’s disease,
2. gut bacteria imbalance
3. celiac disease,
4. autoimmune disorder,
5. colon cancer, as well
6. thinning of the stomach wall due to gastritis.
A study in the journal Advances in Nutrition also found a link between avitaminosis and bariatric surgery.
This surgery may affect food intake or digestive processes thereby increasing the risk of certain nutritional deficiencies.
Vitamin deficiency symptoms
Vitamin deficiencies can affect vision, bone health, and the condition of the skin and hair.
Each person may show different symptoms, depending on the type of vitamin that is lacking in the body.
Below are various symptoms that may appear based on the type of vitamin.
1. Deficiency of vitamin A
Vitamin A is best known for its benefits for maintaining eye health. In fact, the body actually also needs this vitamin to support immune system function and maintain healthy skin.
The following are common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
1. Night blindness is caused by a lack of a light pigment called rhodopsin.
2. Xerophthalmia, namely thickening of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye.
3. Keratomalacia, which is a condition when the cornea is eroded or injured.
4. The appearance of keratin spots in the eyes so that vision becomes blurred.
5. Dry eyes due to decreased tear production.
6. Wound healing becomes slower.
7. The appearance of pimples and breakouts.
2. Lack of vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Adequate vitamin D intake also plays a role in maintaining the function of the immune system, nervous system, and muscles.
This is why you need to meet the need of vitamin D from the food that is the source.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
1. tired body or pain for no apparent reason,
2. high blood pressure,
3. muscle cramps, weakness, or pain,
4. bone pain, as well
5. drastic change in mood.
3. Deficiency of vitamin E
Vitamin E is a micronutrient as well as an antioxidant that is beneficial to the body.
Avitaminosis E is very rare in healthy people. This condition usually begins with a disease that interferes with digestion or fat absorption.
Once a person has a vitamin E deficiency, symptoms that may appear include:
1. the appearance of a tickling feeling in the arms or legs,
2. movement disorder,
3. susceptible to infectious diseases
4. muscle weakness, and
5. visual disturbances.
4. Lack of vitamin K
The main function of vitamin K is to help the blood clotting process. Deficiencies of this vitamin are rare in healthy people.
However, the risk increases in people who regularly take blood thinners or have impaired fat absorption.
Vitamin K deficiency generally has the following characteristics.
1. Body bruises easily.
2. Small blood clots form under the nails.
3. The stool is black and sometimes mixed with blood.
4. Bleeding occurs in the tissue lining the inside of the body.
5. Deficiency of vitamin B complex
Vitamin B complex includes eight types of B vitamins with their respective functions.
In general, this group of vitamins plays a role in nerve function, energy formation, blood circulation, and cell development.
Vitamin B complex deficiency can cause symptoms such as:
1. lethargic body,
2. muscle weakness,
3. the appearance of tingling in the feet and hands,
4. balance disorders,
5. susceptible to disease,
6. rough and dry skin
7. the appearance of sores on the edges of the lips, as well as
8. changes in skin, hair, or nail color.
6. Lack of vitamin C
Vitamin C apparently is not just a nutrient that can prevent canker sores.
This vitamin also helps protect body cells, helps wound healing, and maintains healthy skin, bones, blood vessels and cartilage.
Vitamin C deficiency usually causes the following signs.
1. Dry, dull, or damaged-looking skin.
2. Nails look like spoons.
3. Body bruises easily.
4. Joints feel sore and swollen.
5. Wounds heal much longer.
6. Bleeding gums and loose teeth.
7. Easy to get sick.
8. Weak body and bad mood.