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Vitamin Deficiency

Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:30:00 PM Posted by Food Supplement

Vitamins are essential for the growth and development of the human body. Vitamins are found in natural foods. A good diet virtually ensures an abundant supply of vitamins. Vitamin A deficiency is a common disease in poorer parts of the world and causes night blindness. Vitamin A is found in fish, liver and green vegetables. Failure to consume sufficient quantities of meat, milk or milk products leads to a deficiency in Vitamin B12. This deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and, if severe enough, can result in irreversible damage to the nerves, liver and intestinal tract. Vitamin C, found in green vegetables, berries and citrus fruits, helps prevent infection, enhances immunology and can help prevent cancer. A lack of Vitamin C can cause anemia, bleeding gums, muscle degeneration and blood clots. A deficiency in Vitamin D affects the bones, heart, kidneys and the thyroid gland. Vitamin D also enhances the immune system.

A deficiency may cause an enlargement of the prostate gland, gastrointestinal disease, impotency and decreased circulation. Vitamin E helps prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin K plays an important role in the formation of bones and blood clotting. A lack of Vitamin K leads to a low platelet count and poor blood clotting.
Folic acid is found in beans, beef, barley and chicken, amongst others. A deficiency of folic acid causes depression, anxiety and birth defects in pregnant women.
Vitamin deficiency can treated by recommending dietary regulations, oral supplements, or by injections. Oral supplements are useful for those unable to consume food rich in vitamins. Injections are useful for persons with diseases that prevent absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin A and Deficiency
Vitamin A is known as Retinol. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin. Your body requires an adequate amount of Vitamin A for healthy vision, bone growth, immune functions, and reproduction. In addition, Vitamin A promotes the development and maintenance of a healthy overall appearance. A person’s skin and hair appear healthier when the recommended intake of Vitamin A is met on a daily basis.

Do you know how to get enough Vitamin A? Some reliable food sources where Vitamin A can be found are: spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, bell peppers, turnips, peaches, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, oatmeal, milk, liver, and eggs. As you can see, Vitamin A is very friendly to the Vegetarian and Vegan diet.
Persons over the age of nineteen should watch their daily diets and Vitamin A intake. It’s suggested that males over the age of nineteen consume meals which from which they will obtain 900 micrograms of Vitamin A on a daily basis. Through research and surveys, statistics show that most North Americans do not suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. Excess alcohol depletes Vitamin A in your body.

Nevertheless, there are millions (if not billions) of people that suffer from Vitamin A deficiency on a global level. For instance, when you examine developing countries with malnourished citizens, Vitamin A deficiencies can be observed. Vitamin A is required for proper immune functions. Without a proper intake, a person’s body can not fight infections properly. Hence, many children die each year from infections throughout developing countries. Studies also link vitamin A deficient individuals with Pneumonia. When deficient, the cells that line the lungs lose their ability to remove disease causing microorganisms.

Unfortunately, Vitamin A deficiency can have life-altering or life-threatening effects. According to the World Health Organization: “An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.” These tragic consequences require sustainable solutions.
Those who feel that they are lacking Vitamin A in their diets should talk to their family physician about a scheduled diet or Vitamin A supplements.


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