For robust health, you need your vitamins. Yet, for the average person, vitamins can seem like a mysterious and unneeded expense.
After all, recent studies appear to point toward the ineffectiveness of ingesting vitamins in pill form. So which is it? Should we be taking vitamins as pills? Or should we focus on finding foods that are rich sources of vitamins?
The answer is YES to both questions. As one example, you should be taking vitamins after bariatric surgery. Nutrition deficiency is a concern after weight loss surgery. So doctors will frequently prescribe a multivitamin to individuals once they come through on the other side. Particularly since bariatric surgery and other intestine issues can cause vitamin B12 deficiencies.
There are other times, too, where food sources are not able to give us the number of vitamins we need to reach our daily required amount. But overall, you should be shooting for vitamins from food. Then, consider supplementing it with vitamins in pill form for the vitamins that can’t be easily sourced otherwise.
Here, are some common questions and answers on vitamins for better health and wellness.
Am I vitamin deficient?
Vitamin deficiency anemia is when there is a lack of certain vitamins in your blood, which causes you to have a low red blood cell count. If your doctor diagnoses you with vitamin deficiency anemia, you likely have not had enough folate, vitamin C, and Vitamin B12 in your diet. Or it could be that your body has difficulty absorbing these vitamins.
Mayo Clinic provides the following list of symptoms associated with a vitamin deficiency.
- Mental cloudiness, confusion, or memory loss
- Unsteadiness on one’s feet
- Personality swings, moodiness
- Weakness in one’s muscles
- Tingling in one’s hands or feet
- Loss of weight
- Irregular heartbeat
- Abnormal skin color
- Dizziness, feeling faith
- fatigue and tiredness
- Feeling short of breath
If you suspect that you are vitamin deficient, the first step is to see your doctor. It could be that your vitamin deficiency is a symptom of a larger issue. Or it could be a simple matter of boosting your vitamin intake. Your doctor will be able to diagnose your situation and help you know the best way forward.
How are vitamin deficiencies caused?
Contrary to what might seem obvious, a vitamin deficiency is not always caused by a lack of nutritious foods. You could be eating the most nutritious foods around. But some intestinal problems may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins from food.
Additionally, many medications block your body’s ability to absorb vitamins. Also, if you drink too much, you are also increasing your risk of becoming vitamin deficient, since alcohol blocks your body’s ability to absorb vitamin C and folate.
Which vitamins are people at most risk of not getting enough of?
Certain lifestyle choices, your age, your sex, whether you are pregnant, etc., all play a role in what your body needs to maintain good health.
On average, however, experts frequently see the following deficiencies in a large number of the population.
· Iron deficiency
It affects over 25 percent of people worldwide. This deficiency is often even more prevalent in young children. Pregnant women and menstruating women, too, are at high risk of iron deficiency.
Iron is a mineral present in our red blood cells. When you do not consume enough iron, your red blood cell count decreases and your blood carries less oxygen throughout your system. The result? You feel weak, tired, unable to think clearly, and your immune system is impaired.
Fixing an iron deficiency can be easy to do through food sources. Eat red meat, sardines, kidney beans, seeds, or broccoli, kale or spinach. To boost your body’s absorption of iron, eat vitamin C alongside that serving of iron-rich food.
· Vitamin D deficiencies
It can be difficult to diagnose in the short term, but the long-term effects of a vitamin D deficiency are bone loss and muscle weakness. According to Healthline.com, 42 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient.
To fix a vitamin D deficiency, make sure you regularly take yourself outdoors when the sun is out. Sunshine is one of the primary ways the body produces vitamin D.
Harvard Health Publishing notes that few people wear enough sunscreen to entirely block out vitamin D from sunlight. So you can wear sunscreen and still get vitamin D benefits! For food sources of vitamin D, look to beef liver, egg yolks, and fatty fish.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
