8 Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency

There are numerous symptoms of vitamin deficiency that you will need to be aware of. If you want to stay as healthy as possible, you will definitely want to know what some of these signs are. A lot of people are vitamin deficient but don’t even know it. Once you take the time to learn about some of these symptoms, you might just be surprised at how much they may apply to you. Here are 8 symptoms of vitamin deficiency that you should look out for.

High Blood Pressure

One of the bigger symptoms of a vitamin deficiency is high blood pressure. Research has linked fat-soluble vitamins with lower blood pressure. This means that getting your daily dose of vitamins could help you stave of hypertension, which is a crucial part of getting healthy. Adults need about 600 international units of vitamin D each day, and there are plenty of foods that you can get it from. High blood pressure is a big problem when it comes to health for males, but the right vitamin supplements could help with preventing it.

Low Blood Pressure

Being deficient in certain vitamins can actually cause low blood pressure an unhealthy degree. Lack of B12 in the bloodstream can have quite a few harmful effects on the body, including below healthy blood pressure. Adults need about 2.4 micrograms of B12 each day. Some of the best food sources for B12 include milk, eggs, and fortified cereals.

Cramping in leg muscles

Some people who have a vitamin deficiency experience cramping in their legs, though this is not always the case. A potassium deficiency can cause this problem, as well as diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating and loss of fluid. There are so many different food sources for getting potassium that you shouldn’t experience any problems with doing so.

Fatigue

If you have started feeling fatigued all the time, it could be due to a serious vitamin deficiency. Smokers tend to have the greatest risk of a vitamin C deficiency, though non-smokers can also certainly have this problem as well. The average woman needs 75 mg of vitamin C each day, while men require about 90 mg. Those who smoke need an extra 35 mg of vitamin C each day. Some of the best foods for getting vitamin C into your diet include bell peppers, pineapple, kiwi and cantaloupe. This is one of the vitamins that are best for men.

You can learn more about the connection between vitamin deficiency and fatigue here.

Decrease in thyroid hormone production

While you would only know about this symptom if you got blood work done, low levels of thyroid hormone can be fairly serious. And while it is fairly rare inside the U.S., extremely low iodine levels can sometimes reduce production of the thyroid hormone. Low iodine and vitamin D intake can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, so you will need to remember that if you are carrying a child. Most adults needs about 150 mcg of iodine each day, while pregnant women need around 22 mcg.

If you could with salt or add any to the food you eat, choose iodized salt instead of sea salt.

You have experienced numerous fractures recently

If you are calcium deficient, you may experience numerous fractures because of low bone mass. Those who do not get enough calcium in their diet are at a much higher risk for developing osteoporosis as well as bone breaks. Bones reach maximum strength at age 30, at which point they start to slowly lose calcium. It is incredibly important that you get enough calcium in your diet on a regular basis. Some of the best foods for calcium include turnip greens, kale, yogurt, milk and cheese. Men and premenopausal women need 1,000 mg of calcium each day to keep their bones healthy. Calcium is an incredibly important part of health for males in particular.

Cracking at the corners of your mouth

Although not incredibly common, cracking at the corners of the mouth could suggest a vitamin B6 deficiency. This type of deficiency can manifest itself in the form of skin conditions, including scaling on the lips or even an inflamed tongue. Some people who have this particular type of vitamin deficiency even experience feelings of depression. Those who are up to 50 years old need 1.3 mg of vitamin B6 each day, and older women need 1.5 mg. Some of the best foods to get this vitamin from include salmon, chickpeas, bananas, cereal and even marinara sauce.

Brittle Nails

A shortage of the mineral iron can result in certain parts of the body becoming weaker as well as pale. Some people who have an iron deficiency develop brittle fingernails or toenails, and in some rare cases pale inner eyelids. Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding are particularly at risk for developing iron deficiency, as well as vegetarian women. Premenopausal women should get at least 18 milligrams of iron each day, and men should get 8 mg. Animal-based iron is the best because your body absorbs it the quickest. Some of the best foods to eat if you have iron deficiency include chickpeas, seafood, poultry and other types of meat.

Conclusion

Even though it may not seem like it, a vitamin deficiency can become a very serious problem over time. It is important that you know whether or not you have a vitamin deficiency by visiting your physician and getting the necessary blood work done. Your doctor will be able to tell you which vitamins you need to get more of on a regular basis. Most people are vitamin deficient to some extent, so you will certainly want to see your doctor to find out. Getting the proper dosage of each vitamin in your diet will make you much healthier overall.