- 1. Lack of vitamin A
- 2. Lack of B vitamins
- 3. Lack of vitamin C
- 4. Lack of vitamin D
- 5. Lack of vitamin K
Hypovitaminosis occurs when there is a lack of one or more vitamins in the body, being almost always caused by a very restricted diet and poor in some foods, as with animal products in the case of vegetarians.
However, the lack of vitamins can also happen due to some health problems such as liver problems, changes in the intestine or more serious diseases like anorexia or cancer.
1. Lack of vitamin A
Although rare, a lack of vitamin A can happen when there is a reduction in the intake of foods rich in this vitamin, such as milk, cheese, carrots or spinach, for example. However, a lack of vitamin A is also common in people with liver problems or malabsorption syndrome, for example.
Main symptoms: the main symptom consists of changes in the eyes, such as dry eye and spots, which can cause night blindness. But in addition, other signs include colds and colds, dry skin and mouth, poor appetite and headaches.
How to treat: Treatment is usually done with vitamin A supplementation, which should be taken every day. However, the amount of vitamin A must always be calculated by a doctor or nutritionist, as the excess of this vitamin can be toxic to the body.
2. Lack of B vitamins
Complex B vitamins can be divided into several subgroups, so the lack of all type B vitamins is very rare, especially in cases of anorexia, where there is a marked reduction in the intake of almost all foods.
The B complex vitamins that are most often lacking are:
- Vitamin B1
The lack of vitamin B1, also known as beriberi, can happen due to several problems such as reduced food intake with carbohydrates, cancer, hyperthyroidism, liver problems or excessive use of diuretic drugs. In addition, during pregnancy there may also be a deficiency of this vitamin, since it is a stage in a woman's life where the body needs greater amounts of the vitamin.
Main symptoms: symptoms such as weakness and excessive tiredness, frequent muscle cramps, general malaise, heart palpitations, fluid retention or lack of memory, for example, may appear.
How to treat: supplementation of this vitamin is usually used for at least 6 months. However, it is recommended to make changes to your diet, stop drinking alcoholic beverages and increase your intake of vitamin-rich foods. See a complete list of foods with vitamin B1.
- Vitamin B6
In addition to reduced intake of foods with vitamin B6, the lack of this vitamin can also happen in people with kidney problems, bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis or excessive alcohol consumption.
Main symptoms: this vitamin is very important for the nervous system, therefore, its lack can cause confusion, depression, weakened immune system, swelling of the tongue, skin problems and anemia.
How to treat: the use of vitamin B6 supplements is recommended, in addition to increasing the intake of foods rich in the vitamin, such as salmon, chicken or bananas, for example. Meet other foods rich in vitamin B6.
- B12 vitamin
The deficiency of this type of vitamin is more frequent in vegetarians, since the main sources of vitamin B12 are products of animal origin, such as egg, meat or cheese, which are not part of the most restricted vegetarian diets. However, the lack of this vitamin can also happen in people with decreased intrinsic factor, which is a substance produced in the stomach that helps to absorb vitamin B12.
Main symptoms: lack of vitamin B12 is one of the main causes of anemia and, therefore, some symptoms of its lack in the body can include excessive tiredness, weight loss, tingling in the hands and feet, confusion, lack of balance or sores in the mouth, for example.
How to treat: it is advisable to make changes in the diet, increasing the consumption of foods rich in this vitamin. However, in the case of vegetarians or people with a lack of intrinsic factor, injections of the vitamin may be necessary. Learn more about the lack of this vitamin.
Check also a complete list of the symptoms of the lack of each B-complex vitamin.
3. Lack of vitamin C
Vitamin C cannot be produced by the human body and, therefore, must be ingested in the diet through foods such as orange, spinach or tomatoes. In addition, people with changes in intestinal absorption, as in the case of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, also have a high risk of deficiency of this vitamin.
Main symptoms: the first signs include tiredness, muscle pain and purple spots on the skin, however, with the worsening of the problem, swelling and bleeding gums, recurrent infections or loss of teeth, for example, may arise.
How to treat: in addition to the intake of vitamin C supplements, it is necessary to increase the intake of foods rich in the vitamin. See which foods have the highest concentration of vitamin C.
4. Lack of vitamin D
In addition to reducing the intake of foods with vitamin D, such as salmon, eggs or sardines, the lack of this vitamin can also happen when there is not enough exposure to the sun, for example.
Main symptoms: the most common signs are bone pain and muscle weakness. However, over time more serious problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer or severe asthma may arise in children.
How to treat it: increase the intake of foods with vitamin D and use supplements of this vitamin D. In addition, it is recommended to increase safe sun exposure, as the body is able to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. See what foods to add to your diet.
5. Lack of vitamin K
The lack of vitamin K is more frequent in babies, being caused by problems such as low transmission of the vitamin by the placenta, prematurity of the liver or reduced amount of vitamin K by the maternal lens. However, vitamin K deficiency can also happen in adults with changes such as alcoholism, malabsorption syndromes or use of antibiotics, for example.
Main symptoms: lack of vitamin K can cause symptoms such as blood clotting problems, frequent bleeding and bruising on the skin.
How to treat: It is recommended to use vitamin K supplements, which should be calculated by a doctor. In addition, it is important to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin K. See the list of foods with the most vitamin K.
