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 As it is
known, vitamin deficiency is a pathological condition, which develops due to
the lack of a certain vitamin in the diet. Fortunately, in the present day medical
practice, cases of vitamin deficiency are very rare. First, fruit and
vegetables as main sources of vitamins are widely available to all segments of
the population. Second, you can buy specific vitamin supplements at any
drugstore, although vitamins are best absorbed in their natural form.
Synthetic vitamin
supplements can only be seen as an acceptable choice when vegetables and fruits
are scarce (for example, in winter), or when there is a need to focus on the
use of a certain vitamin. Given that total vitamin deficiency rarely occurs, we
can only talk about the inadequate amount of specific vitamin in the body, that
is, specific vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin deficiencies usually develop slowly,
over several months to years. Vitamin deficiency symptoms may be subtle at
first, but they increase as the deficiency worsens.
Each
vitamin has a particular physiological function, so vitamin deficiency affects
our health in a strictly specific way. Thus, water-soluble vitamin C plays an
important role in the stability and impermeability of the vascular membranes.
Therefore, vitamin C deficiency can result in gum bleeding and scurvy, today
known mostly from the historical documents. Signs and symptoms of this rare
disease include bleeding under the skin and around the gums. Scurvy can be
terminal due to the blood vessel rupture and internal hemorrhage.
Vitamin D
plays an important role in many places throughout the body, including the
development and calcification of the bones. Adequate exposure to sunlight and
the use of dairy products with vitamin D significantly reduce the incidence of
vitamin D deficiency. However, vitamin D deficiency is still a common problem
in many populations, particularly older adults.
What are
the main causes of vitamin deficiencies? There may be several of them. The most
obvious and most common of them is insufficient vitamin intake. As you know, in
order to ensure optimal functioning of all body systems a certain amount of
vitamins should be taken every day. For example, daily intake of vitamin C
should be not less than 70-80 milligrams. But the daily intake of vitamin A (it
is responsible for the color perception of the world) should be at least 10
milligrams. Excessive vitamin A intake can be associated with side effects,
including liver damage and fractures. However, in some cases, when the daily
intake of vitamins is consistent with the norm, there are signs of vitamin
deficiency. How is it possible? Our body cannot absorb these vitamins. The causes
of vitamin absorption problems can be extremely varied, from gastro-intestinal
diseases to parasitic diseases. Sometimes such problems are congenital, such as
hereditary deficiency of the enzyme involved in the transport of vitamin
through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Another widespread disease,
which can lead to vitamin deficiencies, is dysbiosis, and one of the most
important functions of the normal intestinal microflora is the synthesis of
certain vitamins (B group vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin B9, etc.).
Apart from diseases,
vitamin deficiency can be caused by certain medications (for example, drugs
used for the treatment of tuberculosis or blood coagulation abnormalities).
Therefore, it is necessary to carefully read the instructions for use on the drug
labels and consult the physician before taking any medication.
In some
cases, vitamin deficiency symptoms appear despite the normal vitamins intake and
the absence of any disease. This happens when body's need for vitamins
increases dramatically. That's why vitamin intake should be increased when you
undergo significant physical or mental stress, when recovering from a disease
or surgery, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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