What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Vitamins

You may think that food is just something that tastes delicious and keeps you full until the next meal. However, food goes far more than that! The food you eat is a complex delivery system for your body to get the nutrients it needs, some of which it can’t make on its own!

The vitamins and minerals you get from food and supplements like Integrative Therapeutics from Supplement First are crucial for optimal physical and mental health. So, what happens if you don’t get enough nutrients?

Obviously, your body won’t be able to function properly, resulting in short- and long-term consequences. Let’s take a look at what may happen when you are vitamin deficient.

What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Vitamins?

While vitamin and mineral deficiencies are rare in the USA, there are a few nutrients of concern, such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

Depending on the vitamin you are deficient in, there will be different symptoms directly related to that nutrient’s function. Here are a few examples:

• Potassium deficiency may cause muscle cramps and an irregular heartbeat
• Vitamin D deficiency may result in osteoporosis, muscle weakness, or bone loss
• Calcium deficiency increases your risk of osteoporosis and weak bones
• Iron deficiency can cause anemia, a condition when your body can’t produce adequate amounts of red blood cells. The symptoms of anemia are paleness, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue, among others.
• Folate deficiency in pregnant women can increase the risk of neural tube defects in newborn children. Moreover, this vitamin deficiency can increase the risk of cancer or depression
• Vitamin A deficiency may cause dry eyes and anemia
• Vitamin C deficiency may cause anemia and scurvy. Scurvy is a condition with symptoms like fatigue, depression, joint pain, skin discoloration, gum inflammation, and tooth loss, to name a few.
• Magnesium deficiency may cause muscle spasms, tremors, or loss of appetite

Among the nutrient deficiencies mentioned above, most Americans tend to fall short on magnesium, as well as vitamins A and C. There are various reasons why people are vitamin deficient, such as a poor diet, underlying medical conditions, medications, cancer treatments, restrictive diets, smoking, alcoholism, or pregnancy.

That is why it’s crucial to always speak with your healthcare provider about how much vitamins and minerals you should be taking and the appropriate steps to get enough of them daily.

How to Prevent a Vitamin Deficiency

You can solve a vitamin deficiency through a balanced diet. However, in some cases, doctors may recommend supplementation from brands like Pure Encapsulations at Supplement First.

This may be recommended in case people don’t meet their daily needs through diet alone. For example, maybe you might not meet your daily vitamin D requirements as it isn’t found in many foods. You mainly receive vitamin D from sun exposure, which may not be possible for everyone, particularly those who live in areas where they do not get enough sun. 

Wrapping It Up

Make sure you consult with your doctor about the supplements you’ll need to take for great health.