Most of us don’t think about it, but vitamin deficiencies affect us in several ways. The thing about it is that more often than not, we attribute the symptoms to other things, and even wonder if we’re sick.
Next thing you know, you’re headed down the rabbit hole reserved for hypochondriacs. Your poor fingers are moving faster than they ever have as you type in different questions and scenarios. Now, there’s all this stress surrounding you, and you have to bust out your CBDfx vape juice in an attempt to calm your nerves.
If this scenario seems more familiar to you than you’d like it to, here’s 5 signs that you can attribute to vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin D
We typically soak up vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet UV-B rays and also by the food that we eat. But sometimes our vitamin D intake can get interrupted for many reasons. Currently, many people might be suffering from a lack of crucial vitamins needed. After all, we’ve been indoors more than ever because everything is closed.
You just need to make sure you get outside and catch some sun rays every day to boost those levels back up. Those individuals with melanin in their skin will need to stay in the sun a little longer because the melanin in their skin actually slows the absorption of vitamin D.
If you find that you’re feeling fatigued, suffering from muscle and joint pain (especially in the back area), or experience frail or thinning bones, you need to contact your doctor to have bloodwork done to see if you’re deficient in vitamin D.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is essential in building up the immune system and boosting collagen production in the skin. Just make sure that when you’re searching for vitamin c supplements, you avoid ascorbic acid because it is a synthetic form of vitamin c. Some say it’s the same, but others say it can produce harmful effects. It’s up to you to do your own research on which side of the fence you want to be on.
Being deficient in vitamin c can produce some of the same effects that vitamin D deficiency produces, such as fatigue and muscle weakness. Still, it also affects the connective tissue in the body.
You’ll see increased energy, firmer skin, and many more benefits from the mighty antioxidative powers of vitamin c.
Vitamin B12
This is perhaps one of the most troubling vitamin deficiencies because it produces some startling symptoms. When you experience this type of vitamin deficiency, you’ll experience numbness in the extremities, the sensation of pins and needles, trouble walking, severe joint pain, yellow skin, and shortness of breath.
With more extreme cases of vitamin b12 deficiency, you’ll experience delusions, paranoia, memory loss, and depression.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’re at a higher risk of this deficiency because b12 is found in meats, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
Final Thoughts
It appears that our parents were onto something when they told us to eat our vegetables. All of the essential nutrients and vitamins that we need are found in a healthy, well-balanced diet.
If you feel like you’re deficient in some way, reach out to your primary care physician to schedule an appointment for blood work.
Until then, eat your medicine!