Vitamin deficiencies can arise from various causes such as nutritional insufficiency, an inadequate or unbalanced diet, especially in malnourished children who often lack multiple vitamins.
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| Fruits Rich in Vitamins (Photo: .linux-magazin) |
However, there are cases where individuals consume a sufficient diet but still suffer from vitamin deficiencies due to gastrointestinal diseases or medication use.
The symptoms vary depending on which vitamin is lacking:
– Vitamin A deficiency leads to dry eyes, night blindness, and can even result in blindness (commonly seen in severely malnourished children). To prevent complications from vitamin A deficiency, mothers are advised to take high doses of vitamin A after one month postpartum, and children aged 0-36 months are also recommended to receive vitamin A.
– Vitamin B1 deficiency causes beriberi, also known as wet or dry beriberi, leading to numbness, dermatitis, neuropathy, and can even result in heart failure.
– Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, with primary symptoms including gum inflammation, swollen and bleeding gums, and bruising. Vitamin C deficiency is often due to a diet lacking fresh fruits and vegetables.
– Vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets.
– Vitamin K deficiency is a cause of prolonged bleeding…
To prevent vitamin deficiencies, it is essential to follow a balanced diet. An appropriate diet can help prevent most diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin A is abundant in liver (pork and beef), mackerel, and egg yolks. Pro-vitamin A (carotene) and vitamin C are found in yellow fruits like oranges, mangoes, papayas, carrots, tomatoes, and dark green vegetables such as amaranth, water spinach, and bok choy.
Vitamin B1 is rich in rice bran, heart, kidney, dried shrimp, crab, beans, brewer’s yeast, straw mushrooms, and dark green vegetables. However, if suffering from vitamin deficiency-related diseases, vitamins can be supplemented in tablet form, but one should avoid overconsumption as excessive intake can be harmful; for example, excess vitamin A can lead to toxicity. It is best to consult a healthcare professional before supplementing vitamins in pill form.
