Many people suffer from a deficiency in one or more vitamins or minerals. Sometimes this occurs because you don’t eat the right foods. Other times, you may have a health condition that makes it difficult for your body to absorb the necessary vitamins it needs. Sometimes, other medications or treatments actually make it difficult for your body to absorb these vitamins and minerals. No matter what the cause, it’s important that you work with a doctor to deal with whatever deficiency you have. Generally, taking a supplement is all you need to do. Here are some of the most common deficiencies.
Vitamin D
Many people suffer from a deficiency in vitamin D. That’s because most people get this vitamin from absorbing sunlight. However, people who don’t go outdoors or who always wear heavy amounts of sunscreen simply don’t get the sunlight needed. Some foods and supplements can help with this, of course, but those sources rarely provide enough vitamin D. In fact, most health experts anticipate that as much as 50% of the population is at risk for a vitamin D deficiency.
Signs that you’re suffering from this deficiency include feeling achy, being obese, and having a poorly functioning immune system. Those over 50 or with darker skin are more likely to suffer from this issue.
K Vitamins
There are a number of different vitamins in the K family. Most people suffer from a deficiency of vitamin K2. K2 is directly related to vitamin D in that without a sufficient amount of K2, your body can’t make use of vitamin D correctly. The opposite is also true. The body needs vitamin D to fully make use of K2. These two vitamins are considered to be adjuncts. Vitamin K1 is also important. It helps the blood clot after being cut.
Most people absorb their K vitamins from green leafy vegetables, fermented vegetables, and dairy products.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the different B vitamins that the body uses for energy. It helps with the formation of blood, the creation of DNA, and more. Most people get their vitamin B12 through the food they eat. Some people do have an inability to fully absorb this vitamin, however, which quickly leads to a deficiency. If you don’t have enough vitamin B12 in your system, you may have difficulty remembering things or thinking clearly, or experience fatigue, apathy, and a tingling feeling in your fingers and toes.
Vitamin B12 is found in beef, lamb, fish, eggs, poultry, and other meat. Vegans and vegetarians may need to seek injectable B12 supplements since the body does not effectively absorb oral B12 supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is necessary for healthy brain functions and to regulate your cholesterol levels. If you’re deficient in this vitamin, you may suffer brain damage and be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E is a group of eight different antioxidant compounds that can be found in green vegetables, almonds, pecans, walnuts, olive oil, and sunflower seeds.
