Unfortunately, vitamin deficiencies today are more common than ever before. And, they’re an issue for people all around the globe, including for those living in developed countries like the US.
But, how can we recognize if we’re not getting sufficient amounts of specific nutrients? Do we need to do specific tests at the doctor’s office to find out?
Of course, this is always the safest bet; however, you can also discover an issue thanks to the revealing symptoms. If you experience several of them, let them be your guide to schedule a bloodwork test at your doctor’s office!
Common Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency
- Dry eyes
When your vitamin A levels are low, you may struggle with dry eyes. This is because vitamin A is pivotal for a healthy cornea, i.e. the outer layer at the front of the light through which light enters.
It also plays a role in the production of tears, ensuring the eye remains lubricated. Otherwise, the risk of the cornea becoming inflamed and dry is higher.
- Night blindness
One of the signals indicating vitamin A deficiency is poor eyesight at night. This is due to the lack of a substance abundant in vitamin A known as rhodopsin.
This light-sensitive protein absorbs low levels of light when we enter a dark environment and allows us to distinguish between objects, shapes, and movements.
- Anemia
Your low levels of vitamin A could be causing anemia. This is due to the low iron levels associated with a lack of vitamin A, which may contribute to anemia.
When a person has sufficient levels of this vitamin, the body can absorb iron better and produce new red blood cells.
On the other hand, if the vitamin A levels are low, the red blood cell production reduces. You can correct this deficiency by introducing adequate supplements and enriching your diet with foods that contain beta-carotene that transforms into vitamin A in the body.
These are red, green, and yellow veggies and fruits. For example, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, carrots, etc.
You can also acquire it from animal sources of food like cheese, milk, liver, salmon, egg yolks, and mackerel.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Mouth ulcers
Struggling with mouth ulcers or canker sores often could be a sign of low vitamin B12.
This symptom happens due to the low vitamin B12 levels causing the oral mucosa to weaken and its ability for self-protection from bacteria and other pathogens to decrease.
The connection between this vitamin and mouth ulcers was proven back in 2009 when a group of doctors from Israel found out that the patients who were given a night dose of vitamin B12 didn’t experience canker sores.
- Dizziness
B12 deficiency is associated with pernicious anemia. In this type of anemia, the intestines are unable to absorb vitamin B12 adequately.
This prevents the body from producing a sufficient amount of red blood cells. Their count drops and the oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body diminishes. As a result, you may experience symptoms like dizziness, difficulty walking, and shortness of breath.
- Heart palpitations
If you struggle with heart palpitations and you often feel like your heart will burst out of your chest, it could be due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
This is due to the fact that the blood pressure reduces and the heart rate increases, resulting in episodes of palpitations.
- Inflamed skin
In addition to B12 levels, you should also be cautious of your riboflavin levels or the levels of vitamin B2.
Lack of this vitamin may result in inflamed skin, similar to dermatitis or a rash. In more serious cases, this symptom could cause cracks on the sides of the mouth and a red, swollen tongue.
Up your intake of these two vital vitamins by introducing the right foods and quality supplements.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
- Wrinkles
When you lack vitamin C, your risk of wrinkles is higher. This is due to the role of this vitamin in the production of collagen.
This protein is vital for elastic and youthful skin. Make sure you increase your consumption of fruits and veggies rich in this vitamin, for example, kale, broccoli, bell peppers, citrus fruits, spinach, etc.
- Broken blood vessels
Vitamin C deficiency can increase the visibility of wrinkles and lead to broken blood vessels.
These broken vessels, also known as spider veins, are small and dilated vessels that develop close to the skin’s surface and are recognized by their red, purple, or blue color.
- Swollen gums
When you lack vitamin C, your gums will be easily irritated and may also become red and swollen.
If you’re struggling with this problem, try consuming more foods abundant in vitamin C.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
- Sleeping problems
Vitamin D isn’t just good for the bones, it’s also pivotal for a healthy good night’s sleep. Namely, low levels of this vitamin have been associated with sleeping issues like restless nights and shorter sleep duration.
Moreover, this can also trigger inflammation in the tonsils and nose, resulting in snoring and sleep apnea.
According to research, people with vitamin D deficiency have a 50 percent higher risk of sleep issues.
One of the best ways to get the needed amount of this vitamin is sun exposure, as well as specific supplements and certain foods.
- Hair loss
Due to the role of vitamin D in the production of keratin, a protein that makes up our hair, hair loss can happen as a symptom of this deficiency.
When you supply the body with the right amount of this essential vitamin, you stimulate hair follicles and hair growth.
- Changes in mood
Vitamin D deficiency may cause you to feel depressed or fatigued.
This is due to the role that this vitamin plays in the levels of serotonin, or the happiness hormone, in our body. And, many studies have linked depression with low levels of serotonin.
- Wounds are healing slowly
If your body needs a long time to heal from scrapes, cuts, and other wounds, you may be lacking vitamin D.
This nutrient is pivotal for skin recovery and the regeneration of cells. Getting the recommended daily amount may help promote healing and the formation of new and healthy skin cells in the area.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
- Imbalance
If you’re struggling with poor balance and if you’ve had more fall-related accidents, it may be smart to check your vitamin E levels.
Though this deficiency is less common than other deficiencies, it may occur more often in individuals diagnosed with celiac disease, Crohn’s, and cystic fibrosis.
- Nerve pain
If you’re experiencing a shooting, burning, or stabbing pain, it may be a result of a vitamin E deficiency.
According to studies, you can alleviate neuropathic pain via vitamin E injections. This is because vitamin E is known to protect the fatty sheaths around the nerve cells and reduce the risk of the sheaths being damaged.
- Painful muscles
Vitamin E is crucial for healthy muscles. In a study done in 2013 and published in the Preventive Medicine journal, it was concluded that individuals who took 400 IU of vitamin D daily experienced less muscle damage.
Therefore, if you’re not enough physically active, yet struggle with weak and sore muscles, it may be good to check your vitamin E levels.
Common Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency
- You bruise easily
If you bruise very easily, you may need to check your vitamin K levels. Sometimes, the easy bruising may indicate a lack of vitamin K in the body.
- Bloody stool
Seeing blood in your bowel movement may indicate various problems, including a vitamin K deficiency.
This is because vitamins K1 and K2 are pivotal for normal blood clotting.
Try to boost your intake of vitamin K1 sources via food like green leafy veggies and the intake of vitamin K2 by consuming foods like cheese, egg yolks, sauerkraut, etc.
- Problems with clotting
Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting. The body requires vitamin K to make proteins for blood clotting and ensure wounds stop bleeding and the healing process is optimal.
Individuals with absorption problems like those with ulcerative colitis or celiac disease should pay extra attention to their blood clotting since they’re at a higher risk of vitamin K deficiency.
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