Vitamins are essential for good health. The deficiency of vitamins and minerals in your body can lead to several health disorders that increase the risks of more serious health issues. However, deficiencies can be detected quite promptly and corrective measures are undertaken because of some easy-to-spot symptoms.
The first signs of vitamin and mineral supplementing deficiency are abnormalities of the skin, hair, eyes, nails, and mouth. It is however important to ascertain that these are true symptoms of nutritional deficiencies rather than other health problems or allergies caused by say, inadequate metabolism of fats or imbalance of blood sugar levels.
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Listed below are the various nutritional supplements and the health risks that occur because of their deficiency.
Essential fatty acids
Dry hair and hair loss, dry skin, diarrhea, PMS, immune system inefficiency, eczema, possible infertility, presence of gall stones, liver-related problems, and gall stones
Iodine
Weight loss, hypothyroidism, and cretinism
Calcium
Rickets, brittle nails, insomnia, irritability, depression, palpitations, teeth problems, and osteoporosis
Potassium
Swelling of feet, tendency to consume more water, constipation, fatigue, mental impairment, insomnia, heightened nervousness, impaired reflexes, cholesterol imbalance, intolerance for glucose, and increased weakness of muscles
Magnesium
Anxiety, restlessness, hyperactivity, and the possibility of an impending heart attack
Iron
Anemia, brittle nails, irritability, confusion, nausea, constipation, fatigue, inflamed tongue, dizziness, and depression
Zinc
Brittle nails, appetite loss, white spots on the skin, lethargy, lowered immune system efficiency, impaired growth, loss of tasting sensation, eczema, acne, memory abnormalities, the possibility of paranoia, and impotence.
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Vitamin A
Night blindness, dryness of hair, acne, rough skin, weight loss, insomnia, impaired growth, and fatigue
Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
Digestive problems that include constipation, memory impairment, confusion, higher sensitivity to pain, general weakness, frequent numbness of fingers and toes, and coordination problems
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Loss of sensation, numbness, similar neurological symptoms, the possibility of seizures, mouth lesions, dermatitis, light sensitivity, blurring of vision, eye inflammation, increased risk of cataract, hair loss, persistent sleepiness, dizziness, and depression.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Depression, confusion, memory problems, nausea, bad breath, fatigue, weakness in muscles, inflammation, and skin problems
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Eczema, low blood pressure, pain in the abdomen, hair loss, burning feet, lowered immune system functioning, muscle spasms and poor coordination, insomnia, and nausea.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
The oily complexion, acne, arthritis, lesions in the mouth, slow healing of wounds, appetite loss, eye problems, hair loss, anemia, nausea, and depression
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
Sores in the mouth, anemia, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, appetite loss, fetal abnormalities, general disinterest
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Digestive problems, dizziness, depression, fatigue, mouth lesions, spinal cord problems, headache, and numbness
Vitamin C
Quick to wound and slow to heal, joint pain, weak teeth, bleeding gums, depression, and fatigue
Vitamin D
Insomnia, short-sightedness, osteoporosis, diarrhea, discomfort in the mouth, undue sweating of the scalp, and nervousness
Vitamin E
Reflex disorders, loss of sense of balance, vibration and position gait abnormalities and weak red blood cells,
Vitamin K
Uncontrolled bleeding of the wound
The health care provider should accurately detect the cause of the deficiency and provide the right amount of supplementation in order to minimize health risks.