Which Are Most Common Type Of Vitamin Deficiencies? Know From Expert

Nutrition is extremely important for our survival. Nutrition provides us with essential ingredients that keep us healthy and also provide health benefits. Due to abundance in variety of foods present right now, some of them choose to have less healthy options in their diet that prevents them from taking all the nutrients in their body. Due to lack of nutrients, especially vitamins, it can cause vitamin deficiencies. This could be problematic for digestive health and for the functions to perform smoothly. Today we will discuss about some common types of vitamin deficiencies that might affect your health with help of expert Ms. Shilpa Singh, Clinical Nutritionist, from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow.

5 Extremely Common Vitamin Deficiencies

1. Iron Deficiency

Reduction in iron in body leads to decline in the production of red blood cells. This also affects the hemoglobin that is responsible to transport oxygen to all the cells present in the body. Iron is an essential nutrient and can cause severe damage to your health. Iron deficiencies are more common towards women. This is also one of the most common types of nutrient deficiency which occurs to people. About one third of total women one their pregnancy have this issue. Children also get iron deficiency these days more often. You can include these foods to treat iron deficiency-

• Organ meat or red meat
• Beans
• Seeds
• Dark and leafy green vegetables

2. Deficiency of Vitamin-D

Vitamin D is basically a fat soluble vitamin that functions like a steroid hormone in the body. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause problems in your bloodstream because it could be a reason for many blood disorders. Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol that could be taken up on the skin due to exposure of sunlight. These days, many people are having vitamin D deficiency because they do not take sunlight because of sitting inside home or in the office. Inadequate amount of vitamin D makes the muscles weak, causes bone loss and increases the risk of fractures.

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3. Vitamin B12 deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin B12 could also be very harmful to your health. This is because it is a water soluble vitamin that is used in formation of blood. It is one of the most important vitamins for brain and nerve functions in the body. Hence deficiency of this vitamin could lead to risk of nervous disorders and blood disorders. Around 20% of older adults have mild deficiency of vitamin B12 and it usually increases with age. 

This disorder can cause impaired brain function and elevated homocysteine levels. Therefore you need to make sure that you consume adequate amount of vitamin B12 in your diet. You can fulfill your requirements of this vitamin through food such as-

• Eggs
• Meat 
• Milk products

4. Calcium Deficiency

As we know that calcium is very important for our body. It keeps all the cells healthy and functioning. Calcium is used in maintaining your teeth, nails, and bones. It also serves signaling molecule that helps heart, muscles and nerves to function properly. Calcium deficiency should not be neglected because if there is lack of calcium in your blood, then the body takes it from your bones. This will make your bones weak and cause several types of bone problems such as arthritis and osteoporosis. You can fulfill your calcium requirements by adding dark green vegetables, dairy products and boned fish in your diet.

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5. Vitamin A Deficiency

Deficiency in vitamin A can be due to lack of fat soluble vitamins. This is also a common type of deficiency of vitamin that affects skin, teeth, brain and cell membrane in your body. Vitamin A is required to have proper vision, in making eye pigment and other reasons. Deficiency of this vitamin can be of two types. 

1. Preformed vitamin A that is found in meat, fish, poultry and dairy products
2. Pro-vitamins-A that is found mostly in plant based food such as fruits and vegetables. It also forms beta carotene. 

People who are more indulged towards western style of eating have more vitamin A deficiency than other problems. This is because their diet lacks food that provides you with essential amount of vitamin A nutrient. A study tells that 45% of pre-school kids get vitamin-A deficiency and it is also more common towards women.

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