Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies

 

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency may lead to weakness, gum disease, skin problems, and weak immune system. People at risk of not having enough vitamin C are those with poor diets, smokers, people who drink too much alcohol, and people with kidney disease on dialysis. The important nutrient is in abundance in many foods, including red and green peppers, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, kiwi, lemons, and grapefruit. Some signs of vitamin C deficiency include dry skin, slow-healing wounds, bleeding gums, and fatigue.

6. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is crucial for the production of red blood cells, nerves, and DNA. The vitamin is also needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia — when red blood cells are larger than usual and there are too few of them, resulting in less oxygen being carried to body tissues. Vitamin B12 deficiency may be caused by a lack of certain protein in the stomach or if the end of the small intestine, which is where vitamin B12 is absorbed, has been removed. As is the case with most vitamins, the body does not make B12 and needs to get it from foods or supplements. Foods containing B12 include beef liver, clams, fish, eggs, dairy products, and fortified foods such as some breakfast cereals.




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