Did you know that most people have symptoms they can’t explain simply because of vitamin and mineral deficiencies? Here we review the symptoms of some of these deficiencies and advise you on how to address each of the top 3 vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Vitamin B12:
Do you tire too quickly? Do you feel sluggish and not quite yourself, especially at the end of the day? This could result from a B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for your immune system as well as your nervous system and your brain. In fact, all of the B-complex vitamins are crucial to your health. You can find B12 and the rest of the B-complex vitamins in a supplement. They are sometimes paired with comparable nutrients like fish oil and vitamin D.
Vitamin B and fish oil together is a good combination in one capsule; but if you take them separately, they can sour your stomach. Capsules with both the vitamin and oil are best and easier on the stomach. They also spare you an unpleasant aftertaste. You should at least get B12 in a multivitamin each day, especially when you are not eating green leafy vegetables on a daily basis.
Vitamin C:
For people with a low immune system, vitamin C is an essential vitamin. When you have had too much, you may experience loose stool and belly cramps. Someone with negligible absorption of vitamin C, on the other hand, can suffer from severe symptoms like scurvy and rickets. Such diseases, however, are primarily found only in second and third world countries where foods with vitamin C are not so easily found. Although some people think that exposure to the sun will supply them with vitamin C, this is inaccurate; vitamin C is obtained from food. You actually get vitamin D from the sun, but studies have shown that even for vitamin D, a supplement or food that contains it is necessary.
The issue that places vitamin C among the top vitamin and mineral deficiencies is that, unlike animals, humans can’t produce it. We have to get it from food or a supplement. Moreover, vitamin C is water soluble, so you urinate it out; therefore, you need to keep at least 1000 CU in your system.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is not water soluble, and it is stored in your organs. You need vitamin D for your hormones, bones and teeth as well as for energy and a happy nervous system. However, do not take more than one supplement a day. Vitamin D3 is the most complete and can be found alone or in a supplement with fish oil or vitamin C.