Signs you need a vitamin supplement
Dear Donovan,
What are some signs that I may need a vitamin supplement?
Vitamins are organic compounds found in foods that are needed by the body in small amounts for growth and maintaining good health. In the absence of sufficient amounts of vitamins, deficiency diseases can result. There are two main types of vitamins — fat-soluble vitamins which include vitamin A, D, E and K, and water-soluble vitamins which include B and C vitamins.
Vitamin A is very important in the promotion of growth and repair of body tissues. It is also important in reducing the susceptibility to infection. Vitamin A is also important in the formation of bones and teeth. Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness. Vitamin D deficiency can result in bone diseases, for example, osteoporosis and rickets. Vitamin D is very important to improve the absorption of calcium, which is very important for healthy bones and teeth.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in anaemia. B12 is very important for the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin C is one of the antioxidants that is necessary for healthy teeth, gum, and bones. This vitamin is also important in the healing of wounds. Vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy.
Vitamin E is a major antioxidant which is important in supplying oxygen to the blood. It is also important in preventing blood clots and also slows down cellular ageing.
It should be noted that some vitamins play only one role in the body, while some vitamins play a number of unrelated roles. Therefore, some vitamin deficiencies can result in one type of effect while other vitamin deficiencies may result in more than one deficiency diseases.
Under normal conditions we should be able to get our vitamins from the foods we eat. However, in recent times, with our diet of processed foods as well as unbalanced meals, it is very easy to become vitamin deficient. In addition, our digestive system might not absorb some of these vitamins properly.
It is therefore very important that we ingest and absorb these vitamins. Vitamins are also cofactors for all biochemical reactions in the body.
In a nutshell, we need vitamins to function properly. It is very important to know some of the signs and symptoms which might tell us that we may be experiencing a vitamin deficiency. These include fatigue, loss of appetite, cold intolerance, pale appearance, dry skin, cracks at corner of the mouth, brittle, flaky nails, poor night vision, dandruff and hair loss.
It should be noted that these signs and symptoms might not only occur because of vitamin deficiency. If these signs and symptoms remain after supplementation or eating properly, it is best to consult with your doctor.
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Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com.
