Vitamin Deficiency

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					Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins are necessary in small amounts for normal metabolism and good health. Vitamins are
of vital importance in maintaining human health. Vitamins assist in the formation of hormones,
blood cells, nervous-system chemicals, and genetic material. Vitamins mainly serve as catalysts
for certain reactions in the body. They combine with proteins to create metabolically active
They are required to do many things and their excess or depletion can lead to acute and
chronic disease. Deficiencies of most of the vitamins will result in corresponding diseases.

Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin A deficiency occurs
with the chronic consumption of diets that are deficient in both vitamin A and beta-carotene.
People most at the risk of vitamin A deficiency are children between six months to six years,
pregnant women, and lactating women. For children, vitamin A deficiency causes severe visual
from such common childhood infections as diarrhea disease and measles.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) is essential for the body to be able to use carbohydrate as an energy
source as well as for metabolizing amino acids. Thiamine deficiency occurs as a result of many
factors, including crash dieting, alcohol abuse, liver dysfunction, kidney dialysis, and sustained
periods of IV nutrients. A lack of sufficient thiamine in the diet can cause loss of appetite, poor
digestion, and chronic constipation, loss of weight, mental depression, nervous exhaustion, and
insomnia. It can lead to muscular weakness, leg cramps, slow heartbeat, and irritability,
defective hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and consequent digestive disorders.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is a water-soluble vitamin needed to process amino acids and fats
on adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Riboflavin deficiency has profound effects on the metabolism
of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. The most common cause of riboflavin deficiency is dietary
inadequacy, which occurs in those who do not consume rich dietary sources of the vitamin. A
deficiency of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) may result in bloodshot eyes, abnormal sensitivity to light,
itching and burning of the eyes, inflammation in the mouth, a sore and burning tongue, and
cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is used by the body to release energy from carbohydrates. Vitamin B3
contributes to more than 50 vital bodily processes. A Niacin deficiency often leads to a chronic
illness called pellagra, characterized by gastrointestinal problems, lesions of the skin, and
dementia. If left untreated, death is the usual outcome of pellagra. Because of its unique
relationship with energy production, vitamin B3 deficiency is often associated with general
weakness, muscular weakness, and lack of appetite. The most common symptoms of niacin
deficiency involve the skin, digestive system, and the nervous system. Vitamin B3 deficiency is
rare, but can occur in alcoholics, individuals with poor or irregular diets and in individuals
with medical conditions causing malabsorption from the intestinal tract.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is essential for human growth, reproduction and many normal
bodily processes. Pantothenic acid deficiency is extremely rare in any but the most
impoverished societies and is generally associated with severe nutritional deficiencies such as
Kwashiorkor or marasmus. Pantothenic acid deficiencies may occur in people with alcoholism
but are generally believed to be rare. Symptoms of a vitamin B5 deficiency may include fatigue,
Vitamin B6 is essential in numerous biochemical pathways involving red blood cells, the
immune system, central nervous system function, protein metabolism, homocysteine
metabolism, and also the production of energy. Vitamin B6 deficiency is usually associated with
poor absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract, the taking of certain drugs that
inactivate the vitamin, with genetic disorders that inhibit metabolism of the vitamin, or in cases
of starvation. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause impaired immunity, skin lesions and mental
confusion. People with kidney failure have an increased risk of Vitamin B6 deficiency.

Folic acid is a B vitamin needed for cell replication and growth. The demand for folic acid
increases when human cell growth is very active, such as in pregnancy, during breastfeeding,
growth and some cancers. Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common nutritional
deficiencies and has been observed in alcoholics, pregnant women, and people living in
institutions. Folic acid deficiency may cause poor growth, graying hair, inflammation of the
tongue (glossitis), mouth ulcers, peptic ulcer, and diarrhea. It may also lead to certain types of
anemias. Toxicity from excessive folic acid intake does not normally occur, as folic acid is water
soluble and regularly excreted by the body.

nutrients necessary for cell growth. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of
system. A deficiency of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency can cause pernicious anemia,
which is marked by fewer but larger red blood cells. Deficiencies can cause walking and
balance disturbances, a loss of vibration sensation, confusion, and even dementia.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant vitamin
involved in the development of connective tissues, lipid and vitamin metabolism, biosynthesis of
neurotransmitters, immune function, and wound healing. Vitamin C deficiency results in an
under hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen which results in a lower melting
needed for connective tissue, bones and dentin, the major portion of teeth. A severe form of

calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream. Vitamin D is most often associated with calcium
metabolism and bone formation. In adults, Vitamin D deficiency may result in a softening of the
bones known as osteomalacia. In children, Vitamin D deficiency is called rickets and causes a
bowing of bones not seen in adults with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can be
caused by conditions that result in little exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a powerful antioxidant which protects cell membranes and other fat-
soluble parts of the body. Vitamin E deficiency strikes people with diseases that prevent the
absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble nutrients. Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans.
Vitamin E deficiency affects the central nervous system and may result in progressive
neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle weakness, loss of balance and
impaired ability to coordinate voluntary movements (ataxia).

osteocalcin). Vitamin K deficiency is often the result of impaired absorption rather than not
getting enough in the diet. Individuals with vitamin K deficiency usually have an increased
propensity to bruising and bleeding. Deficiency can occur in persons of any age but neonates
are at risk of developing hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Symptoms of vitamin K
deficiency include easy bruisability, epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding, menorrhagia and

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