How to Detect Vitamin Deficiencies?

In today’s modishly complex world, people are often unable to consume a properly nutritious diet. As a result, they counter vitamin deficiencies. These people may suffer from severe diseases if not treated at the time. But how to detect these deficiencies? Well, the answer is simple. Look at your body for symptoms and regularly keep a check of the health depreciation. The symptoms of vitamin deficiencies appear in the form of body degradation and negative changes in health. Let’s investigate the matter further and find out ways to detect vitamin deficiencies in different parts of the body.  

Mouth

When a lack of minerals affects our oral health, the restrictions and unavoidable unease and irritation do not let us live in harmony for a second even. From lips to the throat, various types of sores and cracks seem to claim residence. And in extreme cases, leaving us with a soft, light baby food diet only.

If you’ve ever had painful lesions in your mouth, which healed without medication, or seems to visit you infrequently, then it’s time for you to pay attention to the obvious hints that your body seems to be throwing at you. It’s subsisting with immense difficulty on that minimal dose of iron, riboflavin, B12, and thiamine that you’re providing it.

For example, if you have cracks or splits (that bleed or pain) on your lips or in the oral cavity, then you might be suffering from a B12, iron, or riboflavin deficiency. To counter it, you can increase your intake of green vegetables, poultry, and seeds. Another common symptom of iron or B12 deficiency is the appearance of canker sores in the mouth. These are round or oval-shaped and usually, appear under the tongue or inside cheeks. They bring a tingling and burning sensation. Similarly, bleeding gums caused by Vitamin C cause the gums to swell, bleed, and cause tooth loss. For this, you should increase citrus fruits like oranges and vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower.

Hair

As a teenager or adult, have you suffered from hair loss?

If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, then you are likely to be deficient in Niacin (vitamin B3) and Biotin (vitamin B7). Together, these vitamins work to keep your hair healthy and alive. Niacin and Biotin-rich foods include meat, dairy, fish, leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Also, another symptom associated with vitamin deficiency is hair thinning and becoming brittle. These particular symptoms appear due to deficiency in Biotin (vitamin B7), which converts food to energy. Although this type of deficiency is rare, it can cause excessive hair thinning and splitting. Some other symptoms of Biotin include weakness, cramps, and muscle pain. To overcome this deficiency, consume egg yolks, fish, organ meat, nuts, sweet potatoes, bananas, whole grains, yeast, and seeds. Avoid eating raw egg whites as it contains a protein called Avidin, which combines with Biotin and reduces absorption levels.

Nails

Changes in the shape, texture, growth, and even color of your nails depict whether your body is receiving the required amount of vitamins or not. When nails develop a thin, spoon-like shape, such that it can hold a small drop of water, then you must address the iron and vitamin needs of your body. The same applies when you nail start developing longitudinal ridges that run from the tip to the cuticle. The condition is scientifically known as Vertical Nail Ridging. To address this issue, you need to increase your Vitamin B intake by consuming more dairy foods, chia & poppy seeds, fish, almonds, lentils, and beans.

Another common issue is the development of Hapalonychia, in which the top of the nails become brittle, extremely thin, and soft. It occurs due to the deficiency of Vitamin A, C, D, and B6. You can treat it by consuming more fish liver oil, cereals, fruits, dairy products, etc.

Eyes

Vitamin deficiencies symptoms can also include vision problems and sight issues, such as night blindness. Night blindness is a serious vision problem that impairs one’s ability to see properly at night or low light. Primarily, it is because of vitamin A deficiency as it produces rhodopsin. The rhodopsin is a pigment in the retina that helps one see properly at night. If a person suffering from night blindness leaves it untreated, then he/she may suffer from Xerophthalmia. In this eye disease, the cornea gets permanently damaged, and the person becomes blind.  In its early stage, when Bitot’s spots form on the conjunctiva, the disease may get cured with a high vitamin A intake. Vitamin A rich food includes liver, cheese, butter, hard-boiled egg, sweet potato, kale, and carrots.