Vitamins – Deficiency & Excess

Vitamins juices

Last Updated December 20th, 2021

Overview

Vitamins are essential ingredients for a healthy life. Deficiency of these elements can lead to numerous diseases within the human body which are at times incurable. Excess quantity of vitamins also proves to be detrimental, but complications associated with them can be controlled through the reduced intake. At present, the low and middle-income countries, as well as the developing or underdeveloped countries of the world, are suffering from vitamin deficiency. A large percentage of the population in those countries suffer from malnutrition, which is directly impacting the life expectancy. According to the recent epidemiological studies by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), about 12.9% of the current global population is malnourished.

 

What are vitamins?

Vitamins foodsVitamins are a category of organic nutrients (medically termed as micronutrients) which are necessary for a healthy life. These vitamins need to be present in adequate quantities in the regular diet because the human body is incapable of synthesizing them naturally. They play a vital role in metabolism and growth.

All total there are 13 different types of vitamins and each of them has important roles in the growth and development of the body. Proper intake of all these vitamins is necessary especially in the growing years of a child, to ensure healthy development and proper build up of immunity. It is to be noted that all the 13 vitamins cannot be obtained from a single source of food. Hence the daily diet should consist of different types of foods, each having a definite value (in terms of vitamins and essential nutrients).

According to statistics of the World Health Organization, in industrialized countries, the daily food intake by an average adult is about 600 g (dry-weight basis), of which vitamins constitute about less than 1 g.

 

Different types of vitamins

Vitamins are divided into two main classes according to their medium of solubility. These are as follows-

Fat-soluble vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins are those vitamins which are primarily dissolved in fat before they are carried by the circulating blood to different organs of the body. Surplus quantities of fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fat tissues and utilized by the body whenever needed. There are four fat-soluble vitamins namely- Vitamins A, D, E and K.

 Characteristics of fat-soluble vitamins

 Following are the unique characteristics-

  • Storage: These vitamins are stored in liver and fat tissues and utilized whenever necessary.
  • Longevity: They last for a long time since the body does not need them on a daily basis.
  • Absorption and excretion: They are absorbed along with dietary fat through the small intestine and excreted at a slow rate.
  • Toxicity: Fat soluble vitamins stored within the body for a prolonged period can cause toxicity.

 

Water-soluble vitamins: Water-soluble vitamins are necessary on a regular basis via a balanced diet. They dissolve easily in water and are carried to the body tissues which perform several essential functions. The main water-soluble vitamins are- Vitamin B complex group and Vitamin C. 

Characteristics of water-soluble vitamins

 Following are the unique characteristics-

  • Storage: These vitamins are not stored in the body for a long time.
  • Longevity: They do not last for a long period within the body tissues and are easily excreted on a regular basis.
  • Toxicity: Since these vitamins do not stay within the body for a very long period, hence the chances of toxicity are nil.

 

Different sources of vitamins

Vitamins of any category are consumed via daily diet (preferably a balanced diet). There are two primary sources of vitamins – plant source and animal source. The different sources of all varieties of vitamins are discussed below-

  • Vitamin A: Fruits (green or ripened), green leafy vegetables (contain beta carotene and carotenoids), dairy products, cereals, fish oil, liver
  • Vitamin D: Egg yolk, organ meat, fortified milk, fish (cod liver oil), sunlight
  • Vitamin E: Whole wheat, cereals, egg yolk, nuts, avocado, peanut butter
  • Vitamin K: Soybeans, broccoli, spinach, sprouts, turnip
  • Vitamin B1: Yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, organ meat, pork, dried beans, seeds
  • Vitamin B2: Dairy products, green leafy vegetables, organ meat, nuts, whole grain, mushrooms, poultry
  • Vitamin B3: Fish, poultry, whole grains, peanut butter, mushrooms
  • Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): Beef, corn, meat, orange juice
  • Vitamin B6: Yeast, poultry, wheat germ, whole grains, meat, potato, banana, beans
  • Vitamin B12: Fish, poultry, liver, meat, dairy products (cheese, yogurt)
  • Vitamin C: Citrus fruits (lemon, orange), green leafy vegetables, green pepper, black currant, tomato, cooked egg, non-fat yogurt, low-fat milk

 

What are the main functions of vitamins?

Different vitamins have different roles in the growth and nutritional development of the body. These are discussed below-

Vitamin A

  • Hair, skin and nail growth
  • Bone and teeth development
  • Healthy maintenance of respiratory and intestinal tract
  • Protection and regeneration of mucous membrane
  • Eye health

Vitamin D

  • Healthy maintenance of bone, teeth, brain
  • Regulation of blood calcium level

Vitamin E

  • Maintenance of healthy cell, skin and tissue
  • Protection and development of red blood cells
  • Antioxidation
  • Immunity enhancement

Vitamin K

  • Assists in blood coagulation
  • Prevents excess bleeding
  • Maintenance of liver health

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)

  • Enables carbohydrate and protein metabolism
  • Maintenance of normal functioning of heart, muscles and digestive system
  • Growth and development

Vitamin B2 (Riboflabin)

  • Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
  • Maintenance of health of eyes and oral health
  • Skin, hair and nail growth

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

  • Carbohydrate and fat metabolism
  • Regulation of cholesterol level
  • Maintenance of oral health

Vitamin B6

  • Protein metabolism
  • Production of red blood cells, hormones, enzymes, antibodies
  • Proper transmission of nerve impulse

Vitamin B12

  • Maintenance of nervous system health
  • Production of red blood cells
  • Improves protein metabolism
  • Enhances appetite

Vitamin C

  • Maintenance of oral health
  • Collagen synthesis
  • Healing after surgery or injury
  • Facilitates calcium and iron absorption
  • Improves immunity

 

What are the deficiency symptoms of vitamins?

A regular intake of all forms of vitamins is important for the proper growth and development of the human body. A balanced diet is essential to achieve the same. Shortage of any type of vitamin in the body can give rise to several deficiency symptoms which are discussed below-

Vitamin A deficiency symptoms

  • Night-blindness
  • Dry and reddish eyes
  • A weakness of bone and teeth
  • Stomach discomfort

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms

Vitamin E deficiency symptoms

Vitamin K deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B1 deficiency symptoms

  • Beriberi
  • Insomnia
  • Vomiting
  • Impaired growth (in children)
  • Complications of the nervous system

Vitamin B2 deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

  • Pernicious anemia
  • Loss of memory
  • Mental instability
  • Cognitive impairments
  • General weakness

Vitamin C deficiency

 

What are the symptoms of hypervitaminosis?

Vitamins capsuleExcess intake of any kind of vitamin (hypervitaminosis) is as bad as vitamin deficiency. The complications associated with hypervitaminosis are discussed below-

Vitamin A hypervitaminosis symptoms

  • Dry, itchy skin with rashes
  • Peeled off scales
  • Hair loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Liver dysfunctions
  • Headache
  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • Extreme fatigue

Vitamin D hypervitaminosis symptoms

  • Excess calcium salt depostion in body tissues and cartilages (calcification)
  • Arrhythmia due to the presence of excess calcium ions in the blood
  • Kidney damage (due to inability to filter larger calcium molecules)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Sore eyes
  • Itchy skin

Vitamin E hypervitaminosis symptoms

Vitamin K hypervitaminosis symptoms

  • Blood clots within arteries
  • Liver damage

Vitamin B3 hypervitaminosis symptoms

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Fatigue
  • Listlessness
  • Headache

Vitamin B6 hypervitaminosis symptoms

  • Numbness of limbs leading to difficulty in walking
  • Temporary loss of sensation

Vitamin C hypervitaminosis symptoms

How to manage and prevent nutritional deficiencies?

  • Vitamins juicesA majority of the population is deficient in vitamin D. The daily requirement of vitamin D is 2000 IU. Vitamin D2 comes from plants while D3 comes from animal products. D3 is also produced in our bodies when we expose ourselves to sunlight. Thus a balanced diet rich in fish, eggs, liver, and milk can help prevent vitamin D deficiency.
  • Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, bok choy, and cauliflower are rich in essential nutrients and also help your body Detox.
  • It is important to address the major reasons behind nutritional deficiencies among low and middle-income countries. These mainly include – maternal nutritional anemia, protein-energy malnutrition, lactation failure, and vitamin A deficiency.
  • Include healthier eating habits – consume whole grains instead of refined, fruits in place of sweet desserts, and water in place of artificially sweetened beverages.

 

 

Dos and Don'ts

Dos
  • Remember that in order to absorb any form of calcium you need vitamin D as well. This can be obtained from diet and natural sunlight.
  • Women should try to maintain a healthy level of iron in their bodies since they experience regular blood loss during menstrual cycles.
  • Note that Vitamin A, D, E, & K (fat –soluble) will only be absorbed in the body if these are taken with food that has a little fat content.
Don'ts
  • Consume prenatal vitamins if you are not pregnant or trying to conceive. Many women take such supplements for hair growth. But such a condition might lead to abnormally high iron levels.
  • Assume that just because you are taking vitamin supplements you can skip healthy foods. As the name suggests, these pills need to be supplemented along with food.
  • Consider that vitamin pills will compensate for heavy drinking, smoking, or eating unhealthy food.

 

 

 

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Bubble Tea: Bubbling with nutrition or a hidden sugar mine? The tapioca pearls present in the tea looks like bubbles and hence the name bubble tea became popular.…
Barium-enema
Barium Enema Barium enema is also known as colon x-ray. Here, the patient is asked to consume small amount of…
cystatin C
Cystatin C Test Cystatin C is a specific single-chain protein that is found in body fluids and is a biomarker for…
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid Profile Thyroid profile is a panel of blood tests performed to check if an individual is suffering from any…
hidden benefits walking
9 benefits of walking we bet you didn’t know! Did you know walking can be the miracle pill for eternal youth? Everyone knows walking is good for…
eating disorder anorexia
Eating Disorders: Lifestyle choice or a psychological condition? Is eating disorder just a harmless bad habit? Or does it represent grim psychological disorders? Do you want…
oral hygiene tips
6 shocking consequences of bad oral hygiene (and how to avoid them) Did you know bad breath is not just turning off, but also harms your body in ways you…
Moringa drink
Moringa: This could be the most nutrient-dense food known to us! Moringa is a lush green tree brimming with over 90 essential nutrients required for a healthy mind and…
Shilajit: A miracle Himalayan herb for an active and happy life The Himalayas contain more wonders than you thought. Shilajit is a miracle herb that is widely used in…
Love tea, hate tannins? Rooibos tea is just what you need The market is brimming with a multitude of herbal teas. But what makes rooibos tea (or red bush)…
BRAT Diet: What is the right way to follow this diarrhea-relieving diet? BRAT diet, a simple diet consisting of just bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, can help you combat the…
Mood swings
The real reasons for your mood swings and how to overcome them Are you prone to heated moods frequently? Do you also feel bouts of depressive feeling creeping up on…
What is the right way to take a pregnancy test? A pregnancy test is undertaken to determine if you have conceived. A home pregnancy test is the most…
SIBO Diet: The important dos and don’ts of this gut-healing diet A SIBO diet is a diet that works by eliminating certain sugars from your diet and adding fibers…
beta hcg test
Beta hCG Test A Beta hCG test measures the level of human gonadotropin hormones present in the blood that is primarliy…
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) test Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme that is found in every cell of the body and it plays…
Rubella IgM test
Rubella IgM Test The Rubella IgM test is a blood test that is performed to diagnose the presence of the rubella…
Kava: Is it the healthy substitute for alcohol you have been waiting for? Native to the beautiful South Pacific islands, Kava is a famous beverage rooted in the local culture. It…
Find all the instant ways to get rid of blackheads Blackheads - Not only are they aesthetically unappealing but if left untreated these can cause bacterial overgrowth on…
sodium chloride
Halotherapy: How inhaling salt can work wonders for your body Halotherapy is quickly gaining popularity amongst those with respiratory diseases. It has shown promise in its treatment.
Balneotherapy jacuzzi
5 things you didn’t know about balneotherapy and how you can do it at home Sauna baths have been popular since a long time. But how much more beneficial can balneotherapy be as…
ASTtest-liver
AST- Aspartate Aminotransferase Test AST test is a blood test that is used to measure the level of a particular liver enzyme…
colposcopy
Colposcopy Colposcopy is a simple, quick and non- invasive diagnostic tool to look closely inside the vulva, vagina, and…
Bloodtestalbumin
Albumin Test Albumin test or blood serum test is a liver function test that measures the amount of the protein…
CEA_test
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test CEA or carcinoembryonic test detects the presence of CEA antigen in your blood mainly & determines the effectiveness…
vdrl test syphilis
VDRL Test The VDRL test is a blood test that is used to diagnose sexually transmitted or venereal diseases, primarily…
iron deficiency profile
Iron Deficiency Profile An iron deficiency profile is a battery of blood tests which are performed in order to determine the…
woman with abdominal pain holding ovulation calendar
Ovulation – facts to know about ovulation Learn how and when ovulation occurs, demystify common misconceptions, identify symptoms, methods of detection and right period for…
Jack in the box fast food
Jack In the Box : The perils of surging fast food culture in the USA Jack in the Box - How a culture of fast-food can clog your arteries, weaken your heart, fatten…
CLA: A breakthrough weight loss supplement with minimal side effects Tried every weight loss supplement in the market with no substantial gain? Why not try CLA supplements, derived…
Astaxanthin: Why experts believe it could be 550x more potent than vitamin E! What is astaxanthin and why is this new supplement on the block touted as the most powerful antioxidant…
Experts reveal the safest ways to perform an enema at home The idea of pushing some up your rectal area might make you queasy but an enema could actually…
Tart Cherry: The healthiest excuse for taking that second serving of pie Tart cherry has been traditionally used in delectable desserts such as pies. Recent studies have revealed that its…
Gua sha: Scraping away layers of pain with this ancient healing tool Gua sha is an ancient oriental healing method which focuses on scraping the body with specific tools to…
Vagus nerve: 7 health benefits of stimulating the “gut-brain” connection As a matter of fact, there are two vagus nerves namely the left and the right but is…
Oxalates: How healthy greens can sometimes be bad news for your kidneys Oxalates are compounds present in a majority of healthy foods. However, at times an overconsumption of these could…
Urologist: When should you visit one and why? A urologist can treat not only genitourinary problems of both men and women but also can treat various…
The Cabbage Soup Diet: The healthiest way to instant weight loss Cabbage soup diet rapid weight loss diet for those who want to shed those extra pounds in less…
valproic acid test
Valproic Acid Test Valproic acid test is performed to generally check for psychiatric and even neurological conditions such as bipolar disease…
malarial antigen test
Malaria Antigen Test A malaria antigen test is a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that can detect malarial antigens (proteins) in your…
liver detox facts
7 liver detox facts and why ignoring these could kill you! Are you taking care of this organ that handles over 500 different vital functions in your body? Your…
dance health benefits
5 unbelievable effects of dance on your overall health! You enjoy dancing, but did you know what else it does to your body? Dancing is not only…
aspartame or sugar
Aspartame – Hidden truths about this storm in a teacup Aspartame, the artificial sweetener, has gone under the scanner on several occasions for allegedly doing more harm than…
High Fiber Diet – Fire up your fiber intake for these health benefits! Regular bowels, healthy detox, higher immunity, and guaranteed weight loss - a high fiber diet can bring all…
Is it possible to achieve full body detox with Master Cleanse? Master cleanse is a diet consisting of a lemonade based beverage, a salt water drink and a herbal…
How can berberine supplements help you live longer and healthier? Berberine is a turmeric look-alike herbal extract that is credited with numerous health benefits ranging from diabetes cure…
Carb Cycling: Weighing the pros vs the cons of this diet routine Completely discarding carbs from your life will do you more harm than good. Read more about carb cycling,…
How accurate is the hair follicle drug test? Hair follicle drug test is one of the best ways to identify drug use in professional circles. But…
Appendix pain: Recent findings on this not-so vestigial organ The exact function of the appendix is still not clear. Some consider it as an organ that once…
Hysteroscopy_procedure
Hysteroscopy Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive tool to help specialists view the uterus to diagnose and even treat several…
ANTIPHOSPHOLIPIDANTIBODY(APL)_IgG
Antiphospholipid (APL) antibody-IgG The Antiphospholipid Antibody testing is a blood test used to determine an autoimmune disorder called Antiphospholipid syndrome linked…
amylase test
Amylase Test Amylase test is done by checking the level of this protein in the blood sample and also in…
Diabetes blood test
Diabetic Profile The diabetic profile is a set of tests used for testing and monitoring the various kinds of Diabetes…
Okra: How can this nutrient-dense vegetable help you fight diabetes? Okra is a food which is rich in nutrients and minerals which are extremely essential for a healthy…
shoudler exercises
Keep your shoulders pain-free with these shoulder exercises Shoulder exercises are important in order to prevent chronic back and neck pain. Learn more about how you…
yoga health benefits
How to practice yoga for astounding health benefits Can a 5000-year-old system be the ultimate body healer? Did you know yoga can make you smarter and…
Drinking water benefits
8 reasons why you should grab a bottle of water now! Did you know you don't have to be thirsty for hours to be dehydrated?You could be dehydrated right…
ginger benefits healthy
Ginger: Why is it called the root of all remedies? Be it in form of tea or juice, ginger has a lot to offer when it comes to…
The right way to prepare Alfalfa sprouts at home Alfalfa or lusan ghas is not just a nutritious animal fodder. This flavonoid-rich herb has some amazing health…
Psyllium Husk: More than just an effective natural laxative Psyllium husk, or isabgol, is a popular natural laxative . But did you in addition to regulating bowels,…
sodium blood test
Blood Sodium Test A blood sodium test measures the amount of sodium (an important electrolyte) in your body. It is also…
lipase test
Lipase Test A lipase test is a blood test performed to quantitatively measure the level of the enzyme lipase in…
Period sanitary napkin-menstruaion-blood-colors
Period blood – what it says about your health Your period blood color and consistency indicate what is happening in your body. Is your blood bright red…
kshar sutra
Kshar sutra treatment for piles, fissures and fistula Read to know the benefits and side effects of kshar sutra to treat anal piles, fissures, and fistula…
lose weight fast
12 easy and instant steps to successful weight loss Do you want to lose weight without losing your mind? Does weight loss always mean saying goodbye to…

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Test Your Knowledge

Welcome to your Nutrient Deficiency Quiz

What type of sun rays help synthesize vitamin D?
Which disorder is characterized by inability to speak in certain social situations?
Beriberi is caused by the lack of this micronutrient-
Can stuttering be genetic?
Which of these vitamins are needed for calcium absorption by the body?
What is scoliosis?
People with darker skin are more prone to vitamin D deficiency.
If you have thiamine deficiency, which of these should you avoid consuming with your thiamine rich diet?
Which of the following is a speech disorder that affects the pronunciation of letters like s, z, r?
Consumption of mushrooms exposed to UVB rays help with low vitamin D levels.

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