When embarking on a journey to get healthier, many people fall into the common mistake of focusing only on their external appearance. They think that it’s all about the fats, carbs, and proteins, and only a few understand and acknowledge the vital role vitamins play in our health. Micronutrients, which generally refer to vitamins and minerals that the body needs to properly carry out its physiological functions, are an integral part of a healthy diet. Moreover, vitamins aid the absorption of minerals so the body can use them efficiently. This being said, every body works differently, so it might be a good idea to get genetic methylation testing carried out to check exactly what your body needs to work at its best before you start buying every supplement you can find.
Vitamin C, for example, facilitates the absorption of iron to help the body cells regenerate and recover. Being deficient in any of the essential vitamins such as vitamin d3 k2 will reflect on your overall health, which is why you need to learn how to decipher the different signals that your body sends you. To help you get started, here are the most common signs of vitamin deficiency.
Fatigue and Exhaustion
Fatigue and exhaustion are among the most common signs of vitamin deficiency. If you always feel tired and energy depleted, you should consider taking a vitamin deficiency test. Like many people, you might be suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is responsible for maintaining bone density. You can fulfill your vitamin D needs by getting enough sun exposure and adding foods like salmon, mushroom, and egg yolks to your diet. Failing to meet your daily vitamin D requirements will result in body aches and an overall feeling of tiredness.
Pale Skin
Pale skin and a dull complexion signify low levels of vitamin B in the body. Folic acid is a type of vitamin B that is directly associated with the production of red blood cells in the body. When your body doesn’t get its needs of vitamin B, you will experience a drop in the count of your red blood cells due to insufficient blood flow resulting in a pale complexion and unhealthy looking skin. You can boost your vitamin B levels by increasing your intake of red meat and leafy greens or adding methylfolate multivitamins supplementary pills after consulting with your doctor.
As per your individual needs, your doctor will recommend the right dosage as well as the length of treatment. Instead of wasting money on skincare and beauty products to only fix the symptom, dig a little deeper, and understand the root cause of your paleness issue. You will be surprised to see firsthand the effect nutrition has on your physical appearance.
Hair Loss
Although genetics play an important role in the occurrence of hair loss, vitamin deficiency can be blamed for worsening the problem. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 helps maintain strong and healthy hair follicles. If you are not eating enough egg yolks, bananas, or not taking a Biotin supplement, you will most likely experience brittle and thinning hair or worse yet, severe hair loss. However, make sure you verify a Biotin deficiency before you start taking any supplements since increased levels can actually exacerbate your hair loss problem.
Compromised Night Vision
Vitamin A helps your body produce rhodopsin in your eyes to help you see better at night. Carrots of course are an excellent source of vitamin A, but also dark greens and fish can help improve your vitamin A levels. Similar to Biotin, overconsumption of vitamin A can trigger health problems. So make sure you take the proper tests beforehand to confirm that you are vitamin A deficient before consuming any dietary supplements.
Scaly Skin
The rough and scaly patches all over your body are more common than you might think and can actually be the result of vitamin B complex deficiency. Vitamins B3, B6, and B12 were all found to have a direct effect on the skin. In addition to dryness, having dandruff and itchy scalp are also considered amongst the signs of deficiency in this important group of vitamins. However, you can considerably improve your dry skin condition by adding more legumes, whole grains, and organ meats like beef liver to your diet.
Slow-Healing Wounds
If you notice that your wounds relatively take longer time to heal, there’s a good chance you are vitamin C deficient. As an adult, you need around 60 mg of vitamin C each day to allow your body to heal faster and patch up any wounds. Since the human body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, you have to rely on external sources. Bell pepper, citrus fruits, and spinach are only a few examples of vitamin C-rich foods that you can rely on to maintain healthy levels.
Now that you have a better idea about the importance of vitamins and how vitamin deficiency can affect your health, it’s your responsibility to pay attention to your body. If you notice any of the above signs, be proactive, and make an appointment with your doctor. Identifying a deficiency early on will make it much easier for you to reverse your condition and enjoy the healthy life that you always wanted.
