Nutrients are normally absorbed by the body through eating a well-balanced diet. However, many people don’t eat nutritious foods and regular meals, so vitamin supplements should be a regular part of your plan for good body, mind and skin health.
A poor diet that lacks essential nutrients can cause nutritional deficiencies that lead to a variety of health issues like digestive and gastrointestinal problems, stunted or weak bone growth, skin problems, and mental problems including dementia. Since the body stores nutrients, nutritional deficiencies can go undetected, so it’s important to pay attention to the warning signs and symptoms.
What are the Warning Signs?
Depending on which nutrients your body is lacking, symptoms of nutritional deficiencies often cause general symptoms seen in other illnesses. A nutritional deficiency can be diagnosed through a blood test that includes a complete blood count. Warning signs include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Light-headedness
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Poor concentration
- Memory loss
- Heart palpitations
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Pale skin
Most health problems caused by nutritional deficiencies will stop once the deficiency has been resolved, but long-term, severe deficiencies can result in permanent health issues. Luckily, these days there are a number of reputable vitamin manufacturing companies producing high-quality supplements that can help prevent these deficiencies and their related health problems.
What are the Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies?
- Iron – Anemia, or the lack of adequate iron in the diet, is among the most widespread nutritional deficiencies. Iron helps to produce healthy red blood cells. Dark green, leafy vegetables, red meat and egg yolks are all high in iron.
- Vitamin A – Vitamin A is essential for good eye health, and the lack of it is the leading cause of childhood blindness. Vitamin A deficiencies can be completely prevented with a diet that includes yellow and green fruits and vegetables and daily vitamin supplements.
- Vitamins B1 and B3 – Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is essential for healthy muscles and nerves. A deficiency can lead to heart damage and beriberi. Vitamin B3 (niacin) is essential for healthy digestion and skin. A deficiency can lead to pellagra.
- Calcium – Calcium builds strong bones and teeth. It also keeps your muscles, nerves and heart functioning properly. Calcium deficiencies can lead to serious health problems like osteoporosis, abnormal heart rhythms and convulsions. Dairy products, green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified grains are excellent sources of calcium.