Understanding the role of vitamins, identifying deficiencies, and adopting remedies are key to living a healthy life. Let’s find out more about how to achieve this.
Micronutrients, basically vitamins and minerals, are essential in small amounts for various bodily functions, including promoting normal growth and maintaining good health. The term ‘vitamin’ is derived from the words, ‘vita‘ meaning life, and ‘amine’ indicating a nitrogenous substance vital for life. Since our body cannot produce vitamins by itself, it relies on food and sunlight as the primary sources of these nutrients.
Vitamins can be classified into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A,D,E, and, K, dissolve in dietary fat and accumulate within the body. Conversely, water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin C and the B complex vitamins (B6, B12, and folate), cannot be stored and must be dissolved in water before absorption. Any excess water-soluble vitamins that are unused by the body are eliminated through urine.
In addition to vitamins, our body requires minerals in trace amounts, such as calcium, sodium, potassium, as well as iodine, copper, and zinc. These minerals play important roles in various bodily processes.
By maintaining a well-balanced diet that includes an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats, we can obtain most of the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
ARE YOU DEFICIENT?:-
Our body possesses remarkable mechanisms that send warning signals when it requires essential nutrients. Different types of vitamin deficiencies can result in various reactions from the body, and it is important for individuals to recognize the symptoms.
Common deficiencies include vitamins A, B9 (folate), B12, D,E,K, iodine, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Typical signs of deficiencies include fatigue, lack of energy, weakness, and dizziness. Other symptoms may include brittle hair and nails, hair loss, scaly skin patches, and mouth ulcers.
Identifying these signs can assist in making dietary adjustments accordingly. For instance, hair and nails may be a result of biotin (vitamin B7) deficiency, which is essential for converting food into energy. While biotin deficiency is rare, it can cause hair to become brittle, thin, or split at the ends. Chronic fatigue, muscle pain, cramps, and tingling in the hands and feet may indicate a deficiency in vitamin B7. Foods rich in biotin include dairy, egg yolks, fish, nuts, and seeds, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato, yeast, whole grains, and bananas.
Hair loss can commonly be attributed to a deficiency in vitamin B3 (niacin), which is necessary for maintaining healthy hair. It can also be influenced by insufficient intake of minerals like iron and zinc.
Mouth ulcers (canker sores) or cracks in the corners of the mouth are often linked to deficiencies in iron or B vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pyridoxine (B6). Iron-rich foods include poultry, meat, fish, legumes, dark greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Vitamin B can be found in whole grains, poultry, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, green vegetables, starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Bleeding gums can be caused by poor brushing techniques, but more commonly, it can be attributed to a diet lacking in vitamin C. Additional signs of vitamin C deficiency include slow wound healing, easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, and dry scaly skin. Vitamin C is essential for immune function, wound healing, and acts as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage. Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help maintain vitamin C levels.
Dandruff and scaly patches ( seborrheic dermatitis) can result from a nutrient-poor diet. Low blood levels of zinc and B vitamins such as niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) may contribute to these conditions. Seafood, meat, legumes, dairy products, nuts, and whole grains are excellent sources of zinc.
By consuming foods that provide sufficient vitamins and minerals, most deficiencies can be treated naturally.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING:-
If you want to ascertain whether you lack specific vitamins or minerals, undergo a blood test. The purpose of a vitamin deficiency test is to identify any insufficiencies of micronutrients within your bloodstream. Following a diagnosis, your doctor can determine whether you require vitamin supplements or if increasing your dietary intake will address the issue.
IS IT NECESSARY TO TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS?:-
Caution should be exercised when starting vitamin supplements without professional guidance. Consuming these supplements without a doctor’s prescription can potentially lead to adverse effects. Just as a deficiency in vitamins can contribute to certain health conditions, an excessive supply of these nutrients can transform them into toxins and negatively impact your well-being.
While obtaining the appropriate amount of vitamins is crucial to maintain good health, it is equally important to prioritize self-care through a balanced diet.
