If you're frustrated that your dedication to a well rounded, vitamin rich diet is still leaving you feeling less than perky, it's probably because your body can't absorb all the amazing nutrients you're trying to give it. Testing for a vitamin deficiency can lead you to answers about what your body is and is not absorbing properly.
1. Effects of vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiency is characterized by a shortage of healthy red blood cells produced by low levels of specific vitamins, also known as anemia. Folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C are the three main vitamins connected with typical vitamin deficiency, however there are a few other common ones. Anemia can develop if you don't get enough folate, vitamin B-12, or vitamin C in your diet, or if your body has difficulties absorbing or processing these nutrients.
Testing for a vitamin deficiency at home is tricky because symptoms normally occur over a period of months to years. The signs and symptoms of vitamin insufficiency may be minor at first, but as the shortage increases, they become more noticeable. The signs and symptoms of vitamin deficiency include:
The three main anemia causing deficiencies:
Folate, or vitamin B-9, is a nutrient found primarily in fruits and leafy green vegetables. A deficiency might result from a diet that is persistently low in these foods. If your body is unable to absorb folate from meals, you may be deficient. The small intestine absorbs the majority of nutrients from food. If you're having trouble absorbing folate, it's possible that:
Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, as well as persons who are on dialysis for kidney illness, have a higher demand for folate. If this increased demand is not met, a shortage may occur.
A diet low in vitamin B-12, which is found primarily in meat, eggs, and milk, can cause vitamin B-12 insufficiency also known as pernicious anemia. People with autoimmune illnesses of the endocrine system, such as diabetes or thyroid disease, may be at a higher risk of developing pernicious anemia. However, the most common cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency is a lack of a chemical known as intrinsic factor or IF, sometimes the immune system will attack the cells that create IF.
Intrinsic factor is a protein made by the stomach that binds to vitamin B-12. IF transports the B-12 through the small intestine and into circulation throughout the body. Vitamin B-12 cannot be absorbed without intrinsic factor and is excreted as waste. Deficiency in vitamin B-12 can also develop if your small intestine is unable to absorb vitamin B-12 for causes other than intrinsic factor deficiency. This may occur if:
Vitamin C is especially important to our hair, skin and nails among many other things. If you don't obtain enough vitamin C from your diet or if your ability to absorb vitamin C from meals is impaired you may experience a deficiency. Certain chronic conditions, such as cancer, increase your risk of vitamin C insufficiency by interfering with the absorption of the vitamin. Other factors that can lead to a vitamins C deficiency include:
Having a vitamin deficiency will not only make you feel awful, it also increases your risk of many serious health problems, including:
If you think that you are experiencing a vitamin deficiency, the first step is to monitor your symptoms. Keep a journal, take note of things like diet, sleep, energy level, etc. Be detailed! The more information you have the easier it will be for your doctor to determine the correct course of action. Your doctor will almost certainly ask you a series of questions. Being prepared to respond to them may free up time for you to go over areas where you wish to spend more time.Your doctor might ask you:
These are not only good to be able to answer for you doctor but they are great questions to reflect on by yourself when you are wanting to make obtainable goals around healthy lifestyle changes.
Written by Kiana St. Onge
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