What are the symptoms of vitamin deficiency

Vitamins are trace organic substances that the human body must have. There are mainly two types of vitamins: fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. Many people suffer from symptoms of vitamin deficiency due to various factors. The symptoms of deficiency of different vitamins are also different, and may cause symptoms of disease.

1. Lack of Vitamin A

It will affect the synthesis rate of rhodopsin or stop the synthesis. It causes night blindness and weakened dark adaptation ability. At dusk or when entering a dark place from a bright place, objects cannot be seen quickly. This symptom will disappear as long as enough VA is supplied. Epithelial tissue atrophy, keratinization, dry skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and glandular epithelial lesions reduce the body's resistance and make it easy to get infected by diseases such as upper respiratory tract infections and colds. VA deficiency can also damage the epithelial cells of the lacrimal glands and cause secretion to stop, resulting in dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea and causing dry eye disease, which is manifested by dryness and inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. In severe cases, the cornea may soften, perforate, and cause blindness. It causes reproductive function decline. VA has the special effect of improving nitrogen utilization in young animals. Therefore, it can promote protein synthesis in the body, accelerate the rate of cell division and stimulate the growth of new cells.

2. Vitamin D deficiency

Children will develop rickets, and adults will develop osteomalacia. Pregnant and lactating women are particularly prone to osteomalacia when they lack VD.

3. Lack of Vitamin E

VE is a strong antioxidant in the human body that can prevent the auto-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, thereby maintaining the normal lipid structure and physiological function of the cell membrane. If there is a lack of VE, unsaturated fatty acids will be oxidized and destroyed, and cells will be damaged. If VE is deficient for a long time, premature aging and disease are likely to occur.

VE is mainly found in plant foods, and wheat germ oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil and sesame oil are particularly good sources. It is also rich in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and cabbage. It is also found in meat, cream, milk, eggs and cod liver oil.

4. Vitamin K deficiency

VK is known as the "hero who stops bleeding". It is not only the main component of prothrombin, but also can promote the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver. If it is deficient, the prothrombin content in the blood will be reduced, the bleeding clotting time will be prolonged, and there will be frequent bleeding in the subcutaneous muscles and gastrointestinal tract.