Vitamin Deficiency Tips

Are you aware of the importance of vitamin D in your body, and why you should keep away from vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D, referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is produced by your body in response to your skin’s exposure to sunlight. It is found naturally in certain food items such as egg yolks, fish liver oils, and fish. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones as it helps your body in using calcium from your diet.

Causes of vitamin D deficiency

There are various reasons that lead to vitamin D deficiency. The most common ones are as follows:

1. It happens when you are a vegan and do not consume any animal-based products, as it is common in foods like fish, egg yolks, beef liver, and fortified milk.
2. You have limited exposure to sunlight, in such a case your body fails to make required vitamin D
3. If you spend a lot of time indoors or live in the northern latitudes, or wear robes and covering as part of religious requirements, you may become vitamin D deficient.
4. In case you have dark skin, as a pigment known as melanin reduces your skin’s ability to make vitamin D based on your exposure to sunlight.
5. Aged adults having a dark skin tone are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Symptoms

• The primary symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness and pain in the bones.
• In some people, the symptoms are not prominent.

Management of vitamin D deficiency

• The treatment of vitamin D deficiency aims at getting more vitamin D via diet and health supplements.
• Usually, there is no consensus about vitamin D levels that are required for optimal health, and it depends on a person’s health condition or age.
• The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D is stated to be 600 international units for all people within the age of 70.
• For people above the age of 70, the allowance is stated to be 800 international units.
• It is also possible for a doctor to prescribe over 4000 international units for correcting vitamin D deficiency.

It is recommended for you to consult a doctor regarding vitamin D deficiency in case you do not spend enough time in the sun, or when you always cover your skin by applying sunscreen, which restricts the production of vitamin D. You may need to take vitamin D supplements, as prescribed by the doctor.

During pregnancy, it is essential to have a wholesome nutrition to ensure the growing baby receives a wholesome nutrition too. Extremely essential are some minerals and vitamins which have a significant role in the development of the baby. The skeletal development, for instance, is one such crucial event, and the onus is on the mother to ensure the required ingredients in the required quantity are reaching the growing fetus.
Read on to know the importance of vitamin D during the pregnancy period.

Why is it important: With the skeletal development in place, the baby’s teeth and bones begin to take shape. Both these are highly matrix-driven structures and require a good amount of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D is essential to maintain good amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the body.

Complications: Insufficient amounts of vitamin D can produce a range of symptoms from absolutely no issues to severe bone malformations. If not sufficient, the bones and teeth could become hypomineralized and weak leading to fractures, brittle bones, and rickets in newborn children. There are also reported incidents of low birth weight, preterm birth, and higher risks during pregnancy, but these need to be proven yet.

Sources: Top 10 Vitamin D Rich Foods- Sunlight, Cod liver oil, Sardines, Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna, Raw Milk, Caviar, Eggs and Mushrooms.

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency: People with darker skin, obesity, and fat malabsorption conditions are more prone to develop vitamin D deficiency. With the importance of vitamin D and its role in skeletal development well established, ensure you get the right amounts of it, whatever be the source.

Vitamin D Deficiency!

1. He listens to your complaints properly and not just starts writing prescription before you explain your problem.
2. He examines you properly and explains about examination and importance of particular examination.
3. Explains about probable causes of your complaints and investigations needed and importance of each investigation
4. He explains you about your disease, preventive, dietary, rehabilitative, and treatment (conservative or operative) and pros and cons of each.
5. Let us come to point. Your report shows severely deficient vitamin d level. Or severely deficient vitamin b12 level. Did your doctor explain you about importance of vitamin d. Did you doctor tell you how imp is vitamin b12. You have chronic backache did your doctor tell you about proper posture, precautions needed, exercise regime if not not then your not at right place.
Ok I will explain vitamin d deficiency; rampant in society. Diabetes, depression, cancer eg breast cancer, weakening of bones decreased immunity, inflammation of small vessels which could even lead to cardiac arrest all these are related to vitamin d deficiency. Did your doctor made you understand how important is vitamin d if you have been diagnosed with deficiency of of vitamin d. Did your doctor explain you role of b12, supplementation if you are a vegetarian.
6. Doctors just treat healing is by god. We follow principles of treatment and lord heals. Good doctor listens, explains, makes you comfortable so that you could explain your problem properly, not just writes prescription or asks for surgery but makes you sure that your at right place. Makes you feel why our elders used to call medical profession a noble profession. 

The human body requires the basic nutrients for its normal functioning which are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. However, there are certain vital vitamins and minerals too, that are equally important because these help in maintaining the proper health of a human body in various ways. One such vitamin is Vitamin Bcomplex of which, there is a crucial vitamin known as Vitamin B12 or scientifically called as Cobalamin.

Functions of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 plays a major role by controlling several factors of the human body. These are necessary for the body to run well and stay healthy. Some of the key functions of Vitamin B12 are listed below:

1. It is responsible for the conversion of raw carbohydrate matter that enters into the body in the form of food into glucose that is the driving energy for the body. Therefore, in a way it helps to keep the continuity of energy production in the human body and its deficiency, therefore, can lead to fatigue or weakness.
2. Every single nature of human cells is related to the DNA and RNA that define the genetics and hereditary factors of a human body. Vitamin B12 assists in the creation of this DNA and RNA.
3. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of nerve cells in the human body by maintaining the covering of the nerve cells or neurones known as the myelin sheaths. This helps to free the body from the reach of toxins and free radicals that can be very harmful to the human body. Hence, any shortage of Vitamin B12 can damage the nerve cells in a considerable manner.
4. The bones of the human body need Vitamin B12 as well and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause osteoporosis and other bone issues.
5. Vitamin B12 in association with another vitamin known as Vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) helps in the manufacture of red blood cells that help in impressive iron functioning, which is the main oxygen carrier of the human blood. Quite evidently, its deficiency can lead to shortness of breath and other breathing disorders.
6. Even heart requires an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 along with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9 so that appropriate levels of amino acid named homocysteine are produced that is a deciding factor in heart diseases.
7. Vitamin B12 is an essential component affecting the brain health too, and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can often lead to various brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and the like.

In fact, Vitamin B12 has also been found to regulate mood and emotions of humans. Above all, Vitamin B12 is vital for keeping an individual happy and healthy by revitalising the body cells and making him or her feel youthful and vibrant all the time.

The question, "are vitamins vital" is in fact a rhetorical question, one that answers for itself. Vitamins are organic compounds and important nutrients which are required by human beings in appropriate quantities. They provide a host of benefits, affecting metabolism, digestion as well as immunity and are imperative for the existence and survival of human beings.

Few reasons that establish their importance are-

1. Digestive system

The digestive system, like the rest of the body, requires important minerals and vitamins for proper functioning. Your body requires ample amount of vitamin B and vitamin C to improve and maintain digestive health. In fact, folate acid is required by the body to prevent you from an impending danger of colon cancer. At the same time, vitamin B is also responsible for breaking down the carbohydrates and converting them into energy. 

2. Boosting the immunity system and eye sight

The proper functioning of your physical and mental health requires a sound immune system. The invasion of diseases can be deterred and treated on its own if you have a proper functioning immunity system. Vitamin A, found in carrots pepper and sweet potato is very crucial for boosting the immune system, at the same time it helps repairing the cornea and improving the eyesight. 

3. Improving the nervous system

Vitamin B12 found in beef liver and octopus is very important in strengthening and improving the nervous system. If there is a deficiency of this vitamin in your body, chances are you will suffer from depression, anemia and even a potential threat to your central nervous system.

4. Helps the heart and removes toxicity from the body

Among other advantages, vitamins are also responsible for maintaining the heart and preventing an accumulation of toxic substances in your body. Vitamin C, found primarily in fruits like oranges and lemons performs this function. 

5. Helps in losing weight

Certain food products like fish, chickpeas and chicken are rich in vitamin B6, which in turn help in boosting the metabolic rate and consequently in losing weight.

Are you aware of the importance of vitamin D in your body, and why you should keep away from vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D, referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is produced by your body in response to your skin’s exposure to sunlight. It is found naturally in certain food items such as egg yolks, fish liver oils, and fish. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones as it helps your body in using calcium from your diet.

Causes of vitamin D Deficiency
There are various reasons that lead to vitamin D deficiency. The most common ones are as follows:

1. It happens when you are a vegan and do not consume any animal-based products, as it is common in foods like fish, egg yolks, beef liver, and fortified milk.
2. You have limited exposure to sunlight, in such a case your body fails to make required vitamin D
3. If you spend a lot of time indoors or live in the northern latitudes, or wear robes and covering as part of religious requirements, you may become vitamin D deficient.
4. In case you have dark skin, as a pigment known as melanin reduces your skin’s ability to make vitamin D based on your exposure to sunlight.
5. Aged adults having a dark skin tone are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Symptoms

1. The primary symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness and pain in the bones.
2. In some people, the symptoms are not prominent.

Management of vitamin D deficiency

1. The treatment of vitamin D deficiency aims at getting more vitamin D via diet and health supplements.
2. Usually, there is no consensus about vitamin D levels that are required for optimal health, and it depends on a person’s health condition or age.
3. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D is stated to be 600 international units for all people within the age of 70.
4. For people above the age of 70, the allowance is stated to be 800 international units.
5. It is also possible for a doctor to prescribe over 4000 international units for correcting vitamin D deficiency.

It is recommended for you to consult a doctor regarding vitamin D deficiency in case you do not spend enough time in the sun, or when you always cover your skin by applying sunscreen, which restricts the production of vitamin D. You may need to take vitamin D supplements, as prescribed by the doctor.

The human body requires the basic nutrients for its normal functioning which are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. However, there are certain vital vitamins and minerals too, that are equally important because these help in maintaining the proper health of a human body in various ways. One such vitamin is Vitamin B complex of which, there is a crucial vitamin known as Vitamin B12 or scientifically called as Cobalamin.

Functions of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 plays a major role by controlling several factors of the human body. These are necessary for the body to run well and stay healthy. Some of the key functions of Vitamin B12 are listed below:

1. It is responsible for the conversion of raw carbohydrate matter that enters into the body in the form of food into glucose that is the driving energy for the body. Therefore, in a way it helps to keep the continuity of energy production in the human body and its deficiency, therefore, can lead to fatigue or weakness.
2. Every single nature of human cells is related to the DNA and RNA that define the genetics and hereditary factors of a human body. Vitamin B12 assists in the creation of this DNA and RNA.
3. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of nerve cells in the human body by maintaining the covering of the nerve cells or neurones known as the myelin sheaths. This helps to free the body from the reach of toxins and free radicals that can be very harmful to the human body. Hence, any shortage of Vitamin B12 can damage the nerve cells in a considerable manner.
4. The bones of the human body need Vitamin B12 as well and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause osteoporosis and other bone issues.
5. Vitamin B12 in association with another vitamin known as Vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) helps in the manufacture of red blood cells that help in impressive iron functioning, which is the main oxygen carrier of the human blood. Quite evidently, its deficiency can lead to shortness of breath and other breathing disorders.
6. Even heart requires an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 along with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9 so that appropriate levels of amino acid named homocysteine are produced that is a deciding factor in heart diseases.
7. Vitamin B12 is an essential component affecting the brain health too, and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can often lead to various brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and the like.

In fact, Vitamin B12 has also been found to regulate mood and emotions of humans. Above all, Vitamin B12 is vital for keeping an individual happy and healthy by revitalising the body cells and making him or her feel youthful and vibrant all the time.

The benefits of vitamin c: why your child needs it?

Vitamin c benefits in kids

Vitamin c has long been touted for its potential health benefits when battling a cold — i’m sure we’ve all been told to load up on it when we are sick. But did you know this vitamin is crucial for children’s good health and development? with winter and cold and flu season getting started, it’s important to know what vitamin c does and doesn’t help.

How vitamin c helps your body?

Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in specific food sources, such as citrus fruits, berries, potatoes and peppers. You can also find vitamin c as a dietary supplement.

Vitamin c is important in the formation of:

Collagen, blood vessels, cartilage and muscle, and so it helps to maintains the integrity of many body tissues, including the skin.
Neurotransmitters, the chemicals that are important for signaling in the nervous system.
Carnitine, a chemical that supports the transport and breakdown of fatty acid to generate energy.
In addition, vitamin c is vital to the body’s maintenance of overall health, and is seen in high concentration in immune cells. This raises the possibility that vitamin c is an immune-boosting agent, although the mechanism isn’t clear.

The human body cannot form or produce vitamin c and so depends on outside sources. Plant sources, including tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and kiwi, are the best sources of vitamin c.

Vitamin c is also available as an oral supplement, but over-the-counter sources of vitamins have to be well-researched before taking them on a routine basis. If needed, enlist the help of your physician or pharmacist to choose the right supplement for you.

How to know if you have a vitamin c deficiency?

Diagnosis of vitamin c deficiency requires special blood tests, but the main condition caused by deficiency of vitamin c is known as scurvy, and it’s currently very rare. Scurvy was described by the ancient egyptians, and it was a leading cause of death during long ship voyages in the industrial revolution era.Since vitamin c is important for formation of collagen, symptoms of scurvy is related to improper deposition of collagen, the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues.

The clear benefit for optimizing intake of vitamin c is to prevent scurvy, especially in children at risk, like those who are malnourished, have limited dietary choices or are at risk for malabsorption.Much has been discussed on the benefit of vitamin c in preventing the common cold. This topic has been extensively researched, and all the evidence suggests vitamin c does not prevent or helps in treating the common cold.Though the research evidence is not overwhelming, there is some suggestion that vitamin c may reduce the duration of illness. However, vitamin c supplementation on a routine basis does not decrease the incidence or reduce the severity of a common cold.It’s on this basis that some physicians recommend vitamin c for the common cold, and given the safety profile and the low cost, it may be ok to take a short course of vitamin c during a cold – but this should be discussed with your physician.

The role of vitamin c in the treatment of rheumatological illness is still unclear. Similarly, using vitamin c in cancer management or prevention is not recommended. The role of vitamin c in prevention of cardiovascular illnesses also is not supported by good evidence.Overall, vitamin c is an essential nutrient, but overt deficiency is very rare in the united states. Vitamin c may have an immune-boosting effect, and appears to be safe to take as a supplement. And although the medical evidence is not overwhelming, this vitamin may help reduce duration of common cold.

If a parent chooses to give vitamin c to his or her child to reduce the duration of common cold, it’s recommended that they discuss this first with the child’s pediatrician.It’s ultimately not necessary, and not recommended, to take vitamin c on a daily basis during the winter months as a common cold preventative measure.
 

How many of us know that a deficiency of Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine can make you susceptible for heart disease, brain degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s as well as muscle pain, depression and dragging fatigue?

Vitamin B6 is one of the most crucial vitamins for health and it’s a part of the vitamin B complex family. Now, all B vitamins, including vitamin B6, play an important role in a number of life-altering physical and psychological functions. All of them have a vital role to play in helping to maintain a healthy metabolism, nerve and liver function as well as skin and eye health, as well as good amount of energy levels.

Role of Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine has a number of derivatives, including pyridoxal, pyridoxal 5-phosphate and pyridoxamine. And all of these are involved in major body functions like movement, memory, energy use and blood flow. This is the primary reason why a vitamin B6 deficiency can show up in a range of symptoms from physical to psychological, temporary to chronic and serious.
Vitamin B6 also helps your body to

Maintain a healthy nervous system

1. To make more hemoglobin, blood cells that carry oxygen in blood
2. To provide energy from our food
3. To balance blood sugar levels
4. To act as a natural pain relief
5. To boost mood
6. To create antibodies for self-protection

Preventing a Vitamin B6 Deficiency
The recommended amount of vitamin B6 for an adult under the age of 50 is 1.3 milligrams. Normally, this amount is easy to get from your diet, assuming you are eating a balanced diet with enough calories. However, the amount the body’s requirement for vitamin B6 jumps up as you age. Experts recommend that adults over 50 get up to 1.7 milligram daily of this vitamin.

As this requirement is not met, older people get more prone to a vitamin B6 deficiency and so do malnourished children and adults. Foods like poultry, pork, nuts and beans contain high levels of vitamin B6 and you can include more of these to get the recommended dose of vitamin B6. However, since vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin, so you need to replenish your body with it daily as it doesn’t get stored in the body.

Other symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency are:

1. Changes in mood, such as depression, irritability, and anxiety
2. Confusion
3. Muscle pains
4. Fatigue
5. A worsening of PMS symptoms
6. And worsening of symptoms of anemia
7. As vitamin B6 is so important for nerve function, a deficiency is linked with neuro-psychiatric disorders like seizures, migraines, and chronic pain.
8. An increased risk of heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis
9. Higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia