Vitamin Deficiency and Its Impact on Health
Though your body needs only a tiny amount of vitamins, lacking them can cause big problems. A vitamin deficiency happens when your body does not get enough of an important nutrient. This can affect how different body parts work and lead to serious health problems.
According to PubMed Central, micronutrient deficiencies affect more than 2 billion people worldwide. Pregnant women and children under 5 are especially affected. So, knowing vitamins and their functions, along with the diseases caused by their deficiency, is important for staying healthy.
Which Diseases Can Different Vitamin Deficiencies Cause?
Unlike our belief, deficiencies do not always mean that a person is not eating enough. When a certain nutrient is missing from our diet for a long time, it can cause deficiency-related health problems. This is why a balanced diet is so important.
Here is a vitamin deficiency chart that shows the disease the lack of it causes:
| Vitamin | Deficiency Disease |
| Vitamin A (Retinol and Beta-Carotene) | Night blindness |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | Beriberi |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Ariboflavinosis |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Pellagra |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | Paresthesia |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | Anemia |
| Vitamin B7 (Biotin) | Dermatitis and Enteritis |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | Folate Deficiency Anaemia |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Megaloblastic Anemia |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Scurvy and Swelling of Gums |
| Vitamin D (Calciferol) | Rickets and Osteomalacia |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherols and Tocotrienols) | Ataxia |
| Vitamin K (Phylloquinone and Menaquinone) | Coagulopathy (non-clotting of blood) |
What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency Diseases?
Vitamin deficiency symptoms depend on the type of vitamin your body is lacking. However, hidden hunger refers to deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals that may occur even when a person consumes enough calories. It often develops without obvious symptoms in the early stages. The other symptoms are as follows:
1. Vitamin A
Known to cause night blindness, a lack of vitamin A can lead to xerophthalmia, which is drying and damage to the eye surface. Some of the symptoms you must not neglect are difficulty seeing in dim light; dry, itchy, or gritty eyes along with rough or flaky skin, etc.
2. Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is required by the body to make energy and keep your brain, heart, and nerves healthy. So, a long-term deficiency can affect the nervous system. Consult a healthcare professional if you experience unexplained weight loss, tiredness, tingling in the limbs, etc.
3. Vitamin B2
Riboflavin has been studied as a preventive treatment for some people with migraines, possibly through its role in cellular energy production. Apart from this, it helps your body make energy and absorb iron. Deficiency symptoms are cracks or soreness at the corners of your mouth, pale skin, and more.
4. Vitamin B3
This micronutrient helps the body stay healthy and supports the skin. Niacinamide, a common form of Vitamin B3, is often used in skincare products. Symptoms of lack of Vitamin B3 are diarrhoea, skin rashes or dermatitis and memory loss, confusion or dementia.
5. Vitamin B5
Though rare, the deficiency of Vitamin B5 can cause Paresthesia, an abnormal skin sensation. It causes feelings such as tingling, numbness, or a ‘pins and needles’ sensation. Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, lack of focus, etc.
6. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps the body make red blood cells, support brain function, and carries out important chemical processes. A few of the common signs that show you lack this micronutrient are feeling tired or weak due to anaemia, skin rash and depression.
7. Vitamin B7
Your body needs vitamin B7 to turn food into energy and support healthy nerves, skin, hair, and nails. Deficiency is rare, but not getting enough of it shows as hair loss or thinning, brittle nails and red, scaly skin around the eyes and nose.
8. Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9, or folate, is especially important during pregnancy. Therefore, low levels increase the risk of serious birth defects such as Spina Bifida. Common symptoms to look out for are extreme tiredness, pale skin, gums, inner eyelids, along with brittle nails and hair loss.
9. Vitamin B12
The presence of Vitamin B12 preserves the health of blood cells and nerves. Therefore, a lack of it can affect your nerves and memory. So, visit a healthcare professional immediately if you experience tiredness, poor balance, memory problems, or mood changes.
10. Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, stay healthy, and absorb iron from plant foods. A long-term lack can cause scurvy and weaken immunity. Common signs include bruising easily and slow healing of bruises and cuts, as well as dry or rough skin.
11. Vitamin D
A long-term lack of vitamin D can affect your bones and lead to conditions such as rickets, osteomalacia, or osteoporosis. Some common signs of vitamin D deficiency include constant pain in the bones or lower back and getting colds or infections often.
12. Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps protect cells and supports healthy muscles and nerves. A deficiency can lead to problems with movement, vision, and muscle strength. Common signs you must not overlook are muscle weakness, reduced reflexes and vision problems in serious cases.
13. Vitamin K
The vital function of Vitamin K is to help our blood clot properly. Therefore, a lack of it can cause serious issues. Common symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency include heavy menstruation and bleeding from small cuts and easy bruising.
Why Does Vitamin Deficiency Occur in Our Body?
So, if not the lack of food what causes vitamin deficiency in our body? It can also occur due to reasons such as drinking too much alcohol for a long time, which can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamins.
Here are the other reasons which may cause vitamin deficiency diseases:
- Some autoimmune or inherited conditions can affect how your body absorbs and uses certain nutrients from food.
- Vegetarian or vegan diets may provide less vitamin B12 unless suitable foods or supplements are included.
- Spending very little time in sunlight can reduce your body's ability to make enough vitamin D.
- Some medicines can affect how your body absorbs, uses, or stores certain vitamins and other nutrients.
- Weight loss surgeries can sometimes change your digestion process, which makes it harder for your body to absorb important nutrients.
Final Words
Though vitamins are needed in small amounts, they play a big role in keeping your body healthy. Eating a balanced diet with different foods can help the body get these important nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, dairy products, eggs, meat, and fish can provide many vitamins.
Paying attention to vitamin deficiency is also important because a lack of certain nutrients can cause serious health problems. So, eat a colourful and varied diet, follow healthy habits, and speak with a doctor if you notice unusual symptoms.
Reader Information: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience symptoms that may indicate a vitamin deficiency, consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.
