Severe vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiency: symptoms, causes, treatment

Vitamin deficiency is a deficiency of one or more vitamins in the body. The degree of development of vitamin deficiency can manifest itself in different ways, ranging from brittle nails to serious diseases. Normally, a healthy person with a varied diet should receive a huge amount of vitamins, microelements, acids and fats. If nutrition is disrupted or the body for some reason does not absorb the proper dose of nutrients, a critical deficiency of vitamins occurs. Today we’ll talk about vitamin deficiency – its manifestations, causes of development and methods of treatment.

How to recognize vitamin deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin deficiency are very extensive and varied. Depending on the deficiency of a particular element, vitamin deficiency may manifest itself with the following symptoms.

Vitamin C is very important for human immunity. If the body lacks vitamin C, the skin becomes gray and loses its natural glow and elasticity. A person often feels weak and lethargic, his performance decreases, and the patient feels muscle pain. With a critical lack of vitamin C, the gums begin to bleed and the teeth may begin to loosen. With a lack of ascorbic acid, you can notice a decrease in immunity and an exacerbation of many chronic diseases. One of the most dangerous manifestations of vitamin C deficiency is the disease Scurvy. The disease was common back in the Middle Ages, usually affecting long-distance sailors and people besieged in fortresses. The disease is manifested by dizziness, pain in muscles and joints, severe drowsiness, salivation, pale skin, and changes in the structure of the gums. Vitamin C deficiency is very dangerous and can even be fatal.
Vitamin B1 is responsible for human psycho-emotional health. With a lack of this vitamin, the patient often feels crushed and irritated, his speech and memory are impaired, his level of intelligence decreases, tearfulness appears, and his performance decreases significantly. In some cases, vitamin B1 deficiency leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs - constipation or diarrhea appears, the liver becomes enlarged, blood pressure decreases, and pain appears in the stomach and heart.
Vitamin A. With a deficiency of this substance, the body begins to slowly fade. The skin becomes dry and gray, begins to peel, folds and wrinkles appear. Women immediately notice a lack of vitamin A in the body - they see how the condition of the skin and face deteriorates. In many cases, a lack of vitamin A leads to deterioration of vision - its sharpness decreases, especially at dusk. The patient may feel that the eyes have become dry, as if wearing contact lenses. A lack of vitamin A can lead to depression, stress, neuroses, memory impairment, and insomnia.
Vitamin K is essential for maintaining the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels. With a lack of vitamin K, the patient is prone to the development of various bleedings - from the gums, wounds, nose, and internal organs. With vitamin K deficiency, bruises appear on the skin even from a minor blow or push.
Vitamin E is considered the main women's vitamin, since its deficiency very quickly affects appearance and gynecological health. Vitamin E deficiency is manifested by a lack of sexual desire - in both men and women. Moreover, a person can become tearful, irritable, muscles become weak, and often go numb. With a lack of tocopherol, the skin becomes dry, wrinkled, and pigment spots form on the surface. For a woman, a small amount of vitamin E in the body is dangerous because it makes it difficult for her to become pregnant and bear a child.
Vitamin B2 is responsible for many processes in the human body. With its deficiency, the oral mucosa often becomes inflamed, skin sensitivity decreases, vision deteriorates, hair falls out, and cracks and wounds may appear in the corners of the mouth. With riboflavin deficiency, the patient's general condition worsens, he becomes weak and apathetic, loses appetite and weight. In some cases, dermatological diseases may worsen.
Vitamin RR. With its deficiency, diarrhea, frequent heartburn, nausea, poor appetite, and muscle pain occur. The person becomes apathetic and gets tired very quickly. One of the most terrible consequences of a lack of nicotinic acid in the body is the disease Pellagra. It is caused by extensive symptoms - ranging from brittle nails and hair, ending with baldness, the appearance of spots on the skin, gastrointestinal disorders and even paralysis.
Vitamin D. It is responsible for the integrity of bone tissue and the absorption of calcium. With a deficiency of vitamin D, bones become brittle, brittle and soft. A lack of this vitamin leads to muscle and joint pain, obesity, and a significant decrease in immunity. Moreover, there are symptoms such as irritability, aggression or apathy, tearfulness, weakness, fatigue, stress, and an unstable nervous state.

We have outlined the symptoms of deficiency of essential vitamins. But how does vitamin deficiency develop? What could be the reason for this?

What leads to the development of vitamin deficiency

Here are the main factors that may cause vitamin deficiency.

Very often, vitamin deficiency develops if the necessary elements do not enter the body along with food. Such a deficiency can occur when following strict diets in an effort to lose excess weight. Losing weight should be smart and eating only buckwheat or kefir alone will not make you slimmer, but will lead to serious and even dangerous consequences. Mono-diets are one of the main causes of vitamin deficiency. When losing weight, the diet should be compiled by a specialist.
Vitamin deficiency often develops when eating fast food and junk food, when the body does not get enough fresh vegetables, berries and fruits.
Vitamin deficiency often develops in third world countries, when it is simply not possible to eat normally. In ancient times, vitamin deficiency and diseases associated with it were a frequent companion of people under siege and blockade.
In some cases, vitamin deficiency may be caused by taking anti-weight loss medications. They cause vomiting or interfere with the absorption of foods.
Long-term use of sorbents can also cause vitamin deficiency, since the sorbent, entering the intestines, absorbs not only toxins, but also vitamins, and is then excreted from the body naturally.
Vitamin deficiency can be a consequence of various gastrointestinal diseases in which the absorption of foods is impaired. Most often this is observed with dysbiosis, when the microflora is suppressed - there are no beneficial bacteria in the intestines that are necessary for the synthesis of vitamins.
Children and the elderly are at risk, since their metabolism is imperfect - the child’s metabolism is just getting better, and the elderly’s begins to malfunction.
Very often, vitamin deficiency develops during pregnancy and breastfeeding. After all, at this time, all useful elements are necessary to meet the baby’s needs, and food often remains just as meager, not designed for two. This is why pregnant and lactating women so often experience hair loss, broken nails, and peeling skin.
Antibiotics and drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis can also cause the development of vitamin deficiency.
Vitamin deficiency in urban residents is observed in winter and spring, when the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits is sharply reduced.

Knowing about the main reasons for the development of vitamin deficiency, in many cases you can protect yourself from this pathological condition. But what to do if vitamin deficiency is diagnosed in a child?

Features of the course of vitamin deficiency in a child

Vitamin deficiency in children can occur for various reasons. Most often it occurs in premature babies. The child’s gastrointestinal tract is immature; the baby’s body simply does not know how to absorb some vitamins. In this case, it is very important to feed the premature baby with breast milk. If this is not possible, the mixture chosen should be of good quality so that it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Vitamin deficiency can also develop as a result of late introduction of complementary foods. The fact is that after six months of age, a child needs additional nutrition, since mother’s milk can no longer satisfy the needs of the grown body.

Vitamin deficiency in newborns may be a consequence of insufficient or unbalanced nutrition of the mother during pregnancy. Transferred viruses and infectious diseases can also be a prerequisite for vitamin deficiency in a baby.

Most often, children in the first year of life are deficient in vitamin D. Its deficiency can cause the development of rickets. The result is curvature of the legs, enlargement of the skull and chest, weakness of the limbs and late independent walking. This can be avoided, because we get vitamin D not from diet, but from sunlight. The vitamin is synthesized in human skin under ultraviolet light. To treat vitamin D deficiency, you need to take your child for more walks in the sun. Moreover, you need to walk in the morning; the vitamin is absorbed only before 11 o’clock in the afternoon. It is not at all necessary to expose your newborn baby to direct sunlight - leave the child in the shade; reflected rays have the same effect.

In most cases, people with signs of vitamin deficiency try to buy a multivitamin complex, which, in their opinion, will protect them from all diseases. However, this is not true. Drinking multivitamin complexes without a doctor's prescription is undesirable and even dangerous. After all, an excess of one or another vitamin in the body can also lead to disease. It is best to get tested and consult with a doctor who will prescribe you the necessary medications. In other cases, you can get rid of vitamin deficiency with the help of a balanced, varied, healthy diet. Every day your diet should include cereals, meat, fruits, vegetables, herbs and dairy products. And you need to alternate everything. If today you ate buckwheat, tomorrow you need to add pearl barley to your diet, the day after tomorrow – rice, etc. If today the meat in the diet included beef, tomorrow you need to eat fish, and the day after tomorrow give preference to chicken. This rotation will allow you to achieve variety. To compensate for a deficiency of a certain vitamin, you need to know which foods contain it.

Vitamin A – carrots, butter, beef liver, egg yolks.
Vitamin PP - milk and dairy products, green peas, fish, buckwheat, rye bread, fish, pumpkin, tomatoes.
Vitamin E – vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, beans, grains.
Vitamin C – citruses, kiwi, sauerkraut, cranberries, sea buckthorn, apples.
Vitamin B2 – broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, dill, bell pepper.
Vitamin B1 – wheat bran, buckwheat, beans, peas, soybeans.
Vitamin D – fish oil, salmon, butter, red caviar, liver.

Knowing about the deficiency of a particular vitamin, you can strengthen your diet with certain foods that will help get rid of the deficiency and defeat vitamin deficiency.

To prevent the development of vitamin deficiency, you need to monitor the quality of your diet. Eat vegetables and fruits in season, accumulate vitamins for the long winter and spring. During the cold season, give preference to nuts and dried fruits. Drink decoctions of medicinal herbs, freeze berries and fruits - when frozen they retain most of the nutrients. Take care of your skin with moisturizing creams and lotions, because dry epidermis is a risk of cracks and open wounds. In addition to nutrition, you need to pay more attention to walks in the fresh air and giving up bad habits. In winter and spring, you can take multivitamin complexes, but only after consulting a doctor. Take care of your body, because its health largely depends on nutrition and your lifestyle.

Video: how to overcome vitamin deficiency

– a pathological condition of the body that occurs as a result of an acute deficiency of vitamins.

Vitamin deficiency is a rather complex disease that requires examination and treatment by a specialist. Many people confuse vitamin deficiency with hypovitaminosis, which is characterized by a partial deficiency of a certain vitamin in the human body.

Vitamins are irreplaceable biologically active substances that serve as catalysts for enzyme systems or are found in numerous enzymes. In their absence, the necessary metabolism, tissue growth and renewal, as well as the biochemical support of numerous body functions are not possible. A lack of vitamins can lead to failure of enzymatic reactions. Vitamin deficiency is more common in the population of distant northern countries, which is quite rare.

As a rule, vitamin deficiency occurs in the winter-spring period, since at other times of the year the body is saturated with vitamins by eating fruits and berries, with which there are no problems in the summer. However, doctors believe that this disease is not seasonal and many people suffer from vitamin deficiency throughout the year.

Causes of vitamin deficiency.

The main causes of vitamin deficiency are a violation of the supply of vitamins and poor nutrition, problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and digestion, long-term use of antibiotics, taking antivitamins (with excessive blood clotting), stressful situations and bad habits.

Smokers need to consume several times more vitamin C than a non-smoker. Children and the elderly suffer from vitamin deficiency due to age-related metabolism.

Symptoms and signs of vitamin deficiency.

Manifestations of vitamin deficiency include lethargy and pallor of the skin, dry hair falling out, cracked corners of the lips, brittle nails, bleeding gums, apathy, irritation, chronic feeling of fatigue, frequent colds, relapses of herpes and fungus.

People suffering from vitamin deficiency are prone to difficulty waking up in the morning, depression, poor concentration and absent-mindedness. Vitamin deficiency becomes a common cause of vision impairment and problems with the digestive system.

In the case of acute deficiency of a certain vitamin, patients, against the background of characteristic manifestations, may suffer from the development of specific symptoms. With a lack of vitamin A, it is possible to develop night blindness (decreased vision at night), degenerative changes in the mucous membranes, skin and glands, as well as the appearance of pustules. With vitamin A deficiency, the likelihood of infectious lesions of the respiratory, urinary and digestive organs increases. A lack of vitamin A in children can lead to developmental delays and disorders of the nervous system.

In case of vitamin B1 deficiency, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves occur. Shortness of breath after exercise and rapid heartbeat are often a concern. Headaches, swelling, decreased blood pressure and fatigue appear.

With a lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), the patient experiences impaired twilight vision, decreased appetite, and deteriorated condition of the mucous membranes and skin. Aphthous stomatitis, conjunctivitis, or burning of the skin and pain in the eyes may occur. In the case of a prolonged course of the disease, a malfunction of the nervous system occurs, which can result in anemia.

With a deficiency of nicotinic acid (vitamin B3, B5 and PP), pellagra, Achilles, erosive gastritis, polyneuritis and even instability when walking and convulsions can develop.

If the body does not have enough vitamin C, anemia and scurvy can develop, which is characterized by general weakness, regular bleeding of the gums, high fragility of blood vessels and a depleted nervous system.

With a lack of vitamin D, children suffer from rickets, and adults suffer from muscle pain, joint pain and dental problems.

Diagnosis of vitamin deficiency.

Before direct treatment, a specialist must conduct a diagnosis to identify the missing vitamin in the body using a blood test.

Treatment of vitamin deficiency.

The basis for the treatment of vitamin deficiency should be a daily balanced diet, which will ensure that the body receives the required complex of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Throughout the year, you need to eat a lot of vegetables, fruits (canned, fresh, and frozen), herbs, poultry and fish baked in foil. These products contain many valuable components and easily digestible amino acids.

Before direct treatment, a specialist must conduct a diagnosis to identify the missing vitamin in the blood.

If you are deficient in vitamin B1, you must consume large quantities of peas, pork, wheat rye bread and yeast.
Vitamin B2 is found in various cereals and dairy products, niacin is found in nuts, fish, poultry, legumes, lean meats and whole wheat.

Beef liver, sour cream, and herring should be consumed by patients with vitamin D deficiency.

As a rule, in case of vitamin deficiency, the doctor prescribes the use of a vitamin-mineral complex, available in the form of powders, tablets, lozenges and dragees. However, the most acceptable form is a capsule. Moving through the intestines, losing one layer after another, it allows vitamins to be gradually absorbed inside.

Good day, dear readers!

In this article we will look at such a concept as vitamin deficiency, as well as its symptoms, consequences, and causes. In addition, we can distinguish it from hypovitaminosis. So…

What is vitamin deficiency?

Avitaminosis- a disease that develops as a result of an acute lack of something in the body over a long period of time, which leads to serious consequences, sometimes fatal diseases.

What is the difference between vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis?

eyes- A and B.
Teeth- E and D.
Nails– A, D and C.
On the skin and the whole body In general, vitamins A, B, B12, E and F have a beneficial effect.

Scientists have proven that those vitamins that we get from natural products are best absorbed, while tablets are often eliminated without having time to digest well and deliver the necessary substances to the body.

Discuss vitamin deficiency on the forum...

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The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What is vitamin deficiency?

Avitaminosis– this is a condition in which the body has a deficiency or complete absence of one or another vitamin.
Complete or partial vitamin deficiency is common. According to statistics, from 30 to 80 percent of the population of the Russian Federation suffers from a constant lack of ascorbic acid and folic acid, as well as vitamins B1, B2 and B6. The most commonly diagnosed deficiency is vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is experienced by about 70 percent of Russians. Insufficient amounts of vitamin E were found in 60 percent of subjects. More than half of pregnant women suffer from a lack of vitamin B9 (folic acid), and almost all expectant mothers suffer from a deficiency of vitamin B6.

Vitamin deficiency is a common pathology in other countries. For example, 60 percent of German residents have a vitamin D deficiency. Two thirds of the Canadian population suffers from the same problem. In the United States, about 13 percent of deaths are due to a lack of this vitamin. In Europe this figure is slightly lower. About 9 percent of the population dies from diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Gender is a significant factor in the deficiency of certain types of vitamins. Thus, vitamin B2 deficiency in most cases occurs in females. It affects every 5 girls aged 11 to 18 years and every 8 older women.

Interesting facts
Certain forms of vitamin deficiency have been known to medicine since ancient times. More sailors died from ascorbic acid deficiency than during sea battles and shipwrecks. Such famous navigators as Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama encountered this disease. The development of scurvy (the highest degree of vitamin C deficiency) was facilitated by the peculiarities of the sailors’ diet, which did not contain fresh vegetables and fruits, but was dominated by crackers and salted meat. For a long time, doctors could not establish a connection between this disease and the nutritional habits of sick people. In 1536, the French navigator Jacques Cartier remained to spend the winter in Canada and more than 100 members of his crew fell ill with scurvy. The sick French were saved by local Indians who offered them water infused with pine needles for treatment. The needles are still used today in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of vitamin C deficiency. The first person to treat scurvy with fresh fruits and vegetables was a doctor from Scotland, James Lind. The doctor discovered that the fastest recovery occurs if you feed patients oranges and lemons.

Another problem that sailors faced was the disease beriberi. This disease is a consequence of the lack of vitamin B1 in the diet. Japanese sailors, whose menu consisted mainly of rice, especially suffered from a deficiency of this vitamin. The first who began to fight this problem was Admiral Baron Takaki, who diversified the diet of crew members of sea vessels. Three years later, the Norwegian fleet followed the example of the Japanese. Rye crackers were replaced by wheat bread, and instead of margarine, natural butter began to be issued. This has significantly reduced the incidence of beriberi.
Another type of vitamin deficiency, which was known back in Ancient Egypt, is a lack of retinol (vitamin A). One of the manifestations of this condition is night blindness (problems with vision in the dark). The father of medicine, Hippocrates, treated patients suffering from night blindness with raw liver.

Causes of vitamin deficiency A, E, PP and C

The development of vitamin deficiency is promoted by a complex of internal and external reasons. The main circumstance that provokes this phenomenon is the insufficient supply of vitamins to the body. Vitamin deficiency may also be a consequence of a disrupted process of production or absorption of vitamins. The specific causes of vitamin deficiency are determined by the type of vitamin that the body lacks.

Causes of vitamin A deficiency (retinol)

A lack of vitamin A can be caused by an unbalanced diet, since this element enters the body together with food. Another factor that contributes to vitamin A deficiency is its poor absorption in the body.

The reasons for poor absorption of retinol are:

insufficient amount of fat;
lack of tocopherol and zinc in the body;
bad habits;
various diseases.

Not enough fat
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and the body needs fats to fully absorb it. If all conditions are met, reserves of this element are formed in the liver. This allows the body to function for some time without receiving the vitamin. Insufficient inclusion of fats in the diet leads to the fact that the vitamin is not absorbed and is not deposited in the liver, which provokes vitamin A deficiency.

Lack of tocopherol and zinc in the body
To fully absorb retinol, the body needs tocopherol and zinc. In the absence of these elements, the absorption of vitamin A is disrupted.

Bad habits
Consumption of products containing tobacco or alcohol leads to decreased liver function. Deterioration in the functioning of this organ inhibits the absorption of vitamin A.

Various diseases
There are a number of diseases in which the body's ability to absorb fat is impaired.

Diseases that can provoke vitamin A deficiency are:

malabsorption syndrome (a set of symptoms in which the absorption of vitamins worsens);
hepatitis (inflammatory liver disease);
impaired motility of the gallbladder (a pathology in which the outflow of bile is disrupted);
gastric ulcer (defects of the gastric mucosa).

Causes of vitamin E (tocopherol) deficiency

Tocopherol deficiency may develop due to the patient’s diet or the presence of certain diseases.

Factors that contribute to vitamin E deficiency are:

poor supply of the body with vitamins;
following strict diets;
disturbances in the outflow of bile;
other diseases.

Poor supply of vitamins to the body
Vitamin E deficiency may be caused by inadequate dietary intake. This element is found only in plant products. Therefore, a small amount of grains and leafy vegetables in the diet can cause vitamin E deficiency. Because of this, tocopherol deficiency is often found in residents of economically developed countries, whose diet is dominated by animal products.

Following strict diets
A common cause of tocopherol deficiency is following various diets that involve limiting or completely eliminating fats of plant and/or animal origin. The absence of lipids (fats) in the diet leads to the fact that vitamin E is not absorbed well enough and its deficiency develops.
Another factor due to which diets contribute to vitamin deficiency is sudden weight loss. Since tocopherol accumulates in the adipose tissue of the body, when losing weight, its reserves are depleted. Also, with a sharp loss of kilograms, a large amount of cholesterol is released due to the breakdown of fats. Cholesterol impairs liver function, and tocopherol begins to be absorbed worse.

Impaired flow of bile
Entering the body, vitamin E, together with fats, is emulsified by bile, which ensures its normal absorption. In pathological conditions that are associated with a deterioration in the outflow of bile, the absorption process of tocopherol is disrupted.

Diseases that provoke vitamin E deficiency are:

cholelithiasis (formation of hard stones in the gallbladder and/or ducts of this organ);
pancreatitis (inflammatory damage to the pancreas);
cholecystitis (infectious disease of the gallbladder);
hepatitis (inflammatory damage to the tissue structures of the liver);
liver failure (decrease in one or more liver functions);
liver cirrhosis (pathological changes in the structure of the liver).

Other diseases
A lack of tocopherol may be associated with pathologies of the digestive system, which reduce the ability of the intestines to absorb this vitamin. Such diseases as Crohn's disease (inflammatory damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract), intestinal diverticula (protrusions of the intestinal walls), celiac disease (protein intolerance) can lead to a critical amount of vitamin E.
With some diseases of the genital area, the body's need for this element increases, and if it is insufficiently supplied, vitamin E deficiency may develop.
Increased consumption of this vitamin is also observed with dysfunction of the nervous system and a number of skin diseases.

Causes of vitamin deficiency PP (nicotinic acid)

Nicotinic acid deficiency can be caused by a number of diseases or characteristics of the treatment. For the complete absorption of this vitamin, the participation of a number of elements is necessary, and if their quantities are insufficient, vitamin deficiency RR can also develop. Often the cause of a lack of nicotinic acid is dietary features.

Factors that provoke vitamin deficiency RR are:

nutritional deficiency;
decreased absorption function of the gastrointestinal tract;
Hartnup's disease.

Nutritional deficiency
A person receives vitamin PP through food. This element is also synthesized by the body from an essential amino acid called tryptophan. Therefore, deficiency can develop both due to insufficient supply of nicotinic acid and tryptophan. Most often, nutritional deficiency of vitamin PP occurs in regions where large amounts of corn products are consumed. This is explained by the fact that this cereal contains nicotinic acid in a form that is difficult to digest, and contains very little tryptophan.
The conversion of tryptophan to niacin (nicotinic acid) requires the presence of vitamin B6 and copper. Therefore, if the diet is poor in these elements, the process of nicotinic acid synthesis is inhibited and its deficiency develops.

Decreased absorption function of the gastrointestinal tract
With insufficient absorption function of the gastrointestinal mucosa, the absorption of nicotinic acid worsens.

Pathologies contributing to RR vitamin deficiency are:

chronic enteritis (pathological change in the structure of the small intestinal mucosa due to inflammation);
chronic gastroenteritis (joint inflammation of the stomach and jejunum);
resection of the jejunum (complete or partial removal of this organ);
intestinal tuberculosis (chronic infection);
dysentery (infectious disease).

Hartnup disease
This disease is a hereditary pathology. Hartnup disease is characterized by a metabolic disorder of a number of amino acids, including tryptophan. Patients with this disease do not produce niacin, which leads to its deficiency.

Causes of vitamin C deficiency (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C deficiency can be caused by one or more factors.

The causes of vitamin C deficiency are:

poor diet;
dysfunction of some organs.

Poor diet
Vitamin C is not produced in the human body and comes from outside along with food. Most often, vitamin deficiency develops during a period when the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is significantly reduced.
Ascorbic acid is characterized by its instability. This vitamin is destroyed by heat treatment and exposure to sunlight. Therefore, a lack of vitamin can be caused by a diet that limits the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables.

Smoking
Tobacco products contain substances that destroy ascorbic acid. Therefore, in people who systematically use tobacco products, the need for this vitamin increases by 2 times. In the absence of a full supply of ascorbic acid, a deficiency of this element develops.

Intoxication (poisoning)
When a toxic substance enters the body, vitamin C begins to be consumed in increased doses. This happens because ascorbic acid is involved in the formation of conditions necessary for the normal functionality of internal organs during poisoning. Therefore, when intoxicated with industrial poisons, heavy metals or drugs, the consumption of vitamin C significantly increases. This can lead to its critical content in the body.

Impaired functionality of some organs
Ascorbic acid is absorbed in the jejunum. Pathological disorders in the structure of this organ inhibit the process of absorption of vitamin C. Thus, vitamin deficiency C can develop with enteritis (atrophy of the intestinal mucosa), ulcers (damage to the mucous membranes) and other inflammatory lesions. Often, ascorbic acid deficiency develops in patients with achylia (a disease in which the composition of gastric juice is disrupted).
In some diseases, the body's need for vitamin C increases. In the case of a protracted course of the disease and in the absence of the required amount of ascorbic acid, a lack of this vitamin occurs.

Diseases that cause vitamin C deficiency are:

Burn disease(damage to skin and tissue due to thermal effects). Ascorbic acid takes part in the regeneration of damaged areas, therefore it is consumed by the body in increased quantities.
State of shock(reaction to severe stress or trauma). Vitamin C is used by the body to restore lost functions.
Oncological diseases(degeneration of epithelial cells into malignant formations). A lack of vitamin is provoked by both pathological processes in the body and the treatment carried out for such diseases.

Causes of vitamin deficiency of B vitamins

The B vitamin group is very numerous and contains more than 20 vitamins.

The most common types of B vitamin deficiency are:

vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamine);
vitamin B2 deficiency (riboflavin);
vitamin B5 deficiency (pantothenic acid);
vitamin deficiency B6 (pyridoxine);
vitamin deficiency B9 (folic acid);
vitamin B12 deficiency (cyanocobalamin).

Causes of vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamine)

Thiamine deficiency can develop due to inadequate supply of this element to the body or due to an inadequate absorption process. In some situations, the body's need for this vitamin increases, which can also cause its deficiency.

Insufficient intake of vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is included in products of plant and animal origin. There is especially a lot of it in everyday products (bread, meat, cereals). Therefore, thiamine deficiency due to an unbalanced diet is rare. Sometimes vitamin B1 deficiency can result from prolonged consumption of carbohydrates with insufficient amounts of protein foods.

Absorption process disturbance
Some substances may have a negative effect on the absorption of vitamin B1. Such elements may be contained in food products, drinks or medicines.

The following products interfere with the absorption of thiamine:

alcohol and tobacco products;
coffee and other caffeinated products;
products with high concentrations of citric acid;
dishes that contain raw fish;
vitamin B6 (inhibits the transition of thiamine to active forms);
antibiotics (both vitamin B1 and medications lose their properties).

Increased need for vitamin B1
The need for thiamine increases with gastrointestinal incompetence, acute and chronic infections, and diabetes mellitus. The need for this element increases after surgical operations and in stressful situations.

Causes of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency

The reasons that cause a lack of riboflavin include some dietary features that lead to a reduction in the amount of vitamin supplied through foods. With large doses of physical activity and a number of other factors, the need for this element increases, which also causes its deficiency. Vitamin B2 deficiency can also be caused by certain diseases or medications.

Factors that provoke vitamin B2 deficiency are:

dietary features;
increase in daily vitamin intake;
taking antagonist drugs (weakening the effect of riboflavin);
digestive disorders.

Features of the diet
Insufficient consumption of dairy, meat and fish products can cause vitamin B2 deficiency. Often, a deficiency of this element is diagnosed among supporters of a vegetarian diet. Intensive consumption of products made from purified (refined) wheat flour also contributes to the formation of riboflavin deficiency.

During processing and cooking, the amount of B2 in foods may decrease. Compared to other vitamins, B2 is quite resistant to thermal effects, but quickly loses its properties when exposed to light. Thus, in milk left in the light even for a short time, the volume of riboflavin is significantly reduced. This vitamin can also be destroyed if baking soda is added to a dish.

Increasing daily vitamin intake
The body's need for this vitamin increases with systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages, since alcohol disrupts the absorption of riboflavin. The daily requirement of B2 doubles in women who take oral contraceptives. Athletes and those people whose activities involve intense physical activity also need to increase the standard dose of riboflavin. The high consumption of vitamin B2 is associated with its participation in various metabolic processes.

Taking antagonist drugs (weakening the effect of riboflavin)
One of the pronounced antagonists of riboflavin is quinine (a drug used to treat malaria, giardiasis, lupus erythematosus). Various neuroleptics (psychotropic drugs for the treatment of mental disorders) and tranquilizers (medicines that relieve tension and fatigue) block the effect of vitamin B2.

Digestive disorders
Failure of some organs associated with disruption of the process of food absorption leads to vitamin B2 deficiency. Diseases that can cause a deficiency of this element include colitis (inflammatory damage to the colon), enterocolitis (joint inflammation of the small and large intestines), peptic ulcer (defects in the mucous membrane of the stomach and/or duodenum).

Causes of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) deficiency

Vitamin B5 deficiency is quite rare. Among the factors that lead to a deficiency of this element, one can note long-term consumption of fast food and semi-finished products. Such products contain a small amount of complete fats and proteins, vitamin C and vitamin B1, which are necessary for the absorption of pantothenic acid.
Intestinal dysfunction, in which the absorption of nutrients and vitamins is impaired, can also lead to vitamin B5 deficiency. Stressful situations, severe operations and increased physical activity provoke an increase in the need for pantothenic acid. If dietary intake does not cover the increased need for this element, its deficiency may develop.

Causes of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency

Vitamin B6 enters the body endogenously and exogenously. In the first case, pyridoxine is synthesized by the intestinal microflora, in the second it is supplied along with food.

The causes of vitamin B6 deficiency are:

inadequate supply of fiber to the body;
frequent overexcitation of the nervous system;
therapy with certain medications;
inhibition of intestinal microflora functions.

Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the female body increases the production of estrogen. This hormone inhibits the functions of pyridoxine. In the final stages of gestation, the need for this vitamin increases hundreds of times, which can cause vitamin deficiency.

Inadequate supply of fiber to the body
Nutritional deficiencies are rare because this vitamin is found in a wide range of foods. At the same time, with a small amount of plant fiber (vegetables, grains) against the background of excessive consumption of protein foods (meat, fish), B6 deficiency may develop. This happens because to produce this vitamin, the intestines need a balanced supply of all elements.

Frequent overstimulation of the nervous system
Pyridoxine is involved in the production of the hormone serotonin, which regulates arousal processes and helps resist stress. In frequent stressful situations, the synthesis of this hormone increases, and therefore the need for vitamin B6 becomes higher. Therefore, people who are often nervous may develop a deficiency of this element.

Therapy with certain drugs
Medicines that inhibit the effects of pyridoxine include hormonal medications and birth control medications. Antibiotics and medications for the treatment of tuberculosis also act as B6 blockers.

Inhibition of intestinal microflora functions
With dysbacteriosis (violation of the qualitative composition of the intestinal microflora), the production of vitamin B6 decreases. Also, with intestinal pathologies, the quality of absorption of pyridoxine, which comes with food, deteriorates.

Causes of vitamin B9 (folic acid) deficiency

Folic acid deficiency can be caused by one or a complex of factors related to a person’s lifestyle, dietary culture and food preparation. A lack of vitamin B9 can be a manifestation of certain diseases or a consequence of drug therapy.

Factors that provoke folic acid deficiency are:

nutritional deficiency;
drug therapy;
increased body need for vitamin B9;
disruption of the assimilation process;

Nutritional deficiency
Inadequate intake of vitamin B9 from food is the root cause of deficiency of this element. It is found in a large number of everyday products, but is unstable and breaks down very quickly. Thus, folic acid is destroyed even at room temperature, and during heat treatment, about 90 percent of this vitamin is lost. Such features of vitamin B9 contribute to the spread of nutritional deficiency of folic acid.
Nutritional insufficiency is common among poor people due to excessive consumption of low quality canned and processed foods.

Drug therapy
There are a number of drugs that suppress the functions of folic acid. Some drugs form insoluble substances with B9, which are exported from the body naturally. There are also groups of drugs that reduce the concentration of folate (folic acid) in the blood or interfere with their absorption in the intestines.
Thus, folic acid deficiency develops, despite its sufficient intake.

Drugs that can cause vitamin B9 deficiency are:

antacids (medicines intended to neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach);
sulfonamides (a type of antibiotic);
anti-epilepsy drugs;
oral contraceptives;
corticosteroids (drugs to suppress inflammatory processes in various diseases);
nitrofuran drugs (prescribed for genitourinary diseases);
cytostatics (antitumor agents).

Increased body need for vitamin B9
The need for vitamin B9 increases when there is intensive tissue renewal. Especially a lot of folic acid is consumed by the renewing tissues of the bone marrow and the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Such phenomena are observed in cancer of these organs, when the growth of new cells progresses. Also, the need for folic acid becomes higher with anemia (anemia), certain skin diseases, during periods of active growth and in adolescents and young children. If the body's supply does not cover the increased folate norm, folate deficiency develops. The same principle applies to vitamin B9 deficiency in pregnant women.

Disruption of the assimilation process
Absorption of folic acid is weakened in patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. To be absorbed in the intestines, vitamin B9 undergoes a transformation process with the help of the conjugase enzyme. In a number of diseases, the activity of this substance decreases or disappears, which is a favorable factor for the development of folic acid deficiency.

Diseases that provoke vitamin B9 deficiency are:

sprue (chronic disruption of the process of absorption of nutrients and vitamins);
chronic diarrhea (stool disorder);
Crohn's disease (chronic inflammation affecting the small and/or large intestine);
colitis (colon damage);
enteritis (dysfunction of the small intestine due to inflammation).

Alcoholism
The cause of folic acid deficiency is often alcohol abuse. This bad habit has a destructive effect not only on the absorption processes, but also on the supply of vitamin B9 to tissues. Alcohol interferes with the participation of folic acid in metabolic processes and leads to a sharp decrease in the level of this element in the blood serum. As a result of this, in individuals who regularly drink alcohol in excess of the norm, B9 deficiency may develop within several weeks.

Causes of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common pathology and can be congenital or acquired.

The following factors contribute to cobalamin deficiency:

nutritional deficiency;
poor absorption of the vitamin by the body;
increased vitamin intake;
impaired metabolism (metabolism) of the vitamin.

Nutritional deficiency
The main source of vitamin B12 is animal products. Therefore, the reason for the insufficient supply of this element from the outside is strict vegetarian diets, which involve giving up not only meat, but also milk, eggs, and butter. Nutritional deficiency of this vitamin also occurs in low-income populations who consume a limited amount of meat products, replacing them with semi-finished products and other low-quality food products.

Poor absorption of the vitamin by the body
When the absorption process is disrupted, the body receives a sufficient amount of cobalamin, but it does not enter in adequate quantities from the intestines into the blood. For adequate absorption of this element, an enzyme (internal Castle factor) is required, which is synthesized by the mucous membranes of the stomach. If the amount of this substance is insufficient, vitamin B12 entering the body is eliminated from the intestines naturally. The reasons for the lack of intrinsic factor Castle can be congenital or acquired pathologies of the stomach. Various diseases of the small intestine can also negatively affect the process of cobalamin absorption.

Various types of vitamin deficiency include:

vitamin A deficiency;
vitamin E deficiency;
vitamin C deficiency, popularly called scurvy;
avitaminosis of B vitamins, includes avitaminosis of vitamin B1 (or beriberi disease), vitamin B2, vitamin B3 (or vitamin PP), vitamin B6;
vitamin D deficiency;
vitamin K deficiency.

Seasonal vitamin deficiency

Vitamin deficiency most often develops during transition periods (autumn and spring). Therefore, one of the names of this pathology is seasonal vitamin deficiency. Residents of northern regions or people who live in areas with a pronounced continental climate are most susceptible to this disorder.

Variants of vitamin deficiency, depending on seasonality, include:

autumn vitamin deficiency;
winter vitamin deficiency;
spring vitamin deficiency.

Spring vitamin deficiency

The causes of spring vitamin deficiency are:

insufficient intake of vitamins;
depletion of vitamin reserves;
lack of sunlight.

Insufficient intake of vitamins
In early spring, fruits and vegetables grown in year-round greenhouses or imported from warm countries are eaten. Such products are highly expensive, which limits their use. Due to the nature of the growing and storage process, the amount of vitamins in greenhouse or imported products is unsatisfactory. Therefore, in addition to the price, the disadvantage of such fruits and vegetables is their minimal nutritional value. All these factors lead to the fact that the body’s supply of vitamins from the outside is disrupted.

Depletion of vitamin reserves
During the winter period, fresh fruits and vegetables are replaced with canned products. During the preservation process, a significant amount of vitamins is destroyed, especially when using vinegar marinades. Insufficient supply of vitamins leads to depletion of vitamin reserves, which is most pronounced in early spring.

Lack of sunlight
Lack of sunlight plays a major role in the development of spring vitamin deficiency. Lack of sun causes a deficiency of vitamin D, which stimulates the immune system. Decreased immunity leads to various diseases, against the background of which the body’s need for vitamins increases.

Autumn vitamin deficiency

Autumn vitamin deficiency is associated with the body’s adaptation to the change of season. With the onset of autumn, people begin to spend less time outdoors due to weather conditions. For many, the autumn period is associated with such events as the end of vacation, a return to routine and normal life, and the onset of school. A combination of physiological and mental circumstances provokes body malfunctions, which often lead to depression. A decrease in emotional tone implies an increase in the need for vitamins. The consumption of foods rich in vitamins is significantly reduced in the fall. This, against the background of an increased need for vitamins, leads to vitamin deficiency.

Stages of vitamin deficiency

Vitamin deficiency can be of several degrees.

The degrees of vitamin deficiency are:

First degree– subclinical. At this stage there are no clinical manifestations of vitamin deficiency and, accordingly, there are no complaints from the patient. A deficiency of a vitamin (or vitamins) can only be seen through laboratory tests.
Second degree– clinical. Manifests itself with both clinical and laboratory signs. It is also called the stage of hypovitaminosis, since the reserves of vitamins in the body are not completely depleted.
Third degree– vitamin deficiency itself. This is an extreme degree of vitamin deficiency, which is now recorded in third world countries. Also, this degree of vitamin deficiency occurs in people with chronic pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

By origin, vitamin deficiencies are classified into endogenous and exogenous.

Exogenous vitamin deficiency

Exogenous or primary vitamin deficiency is caused by insufficient intake of a vitamin (or vitamins) into the body. As a rule, this is due to a lack of vitamins in food.

Endogenous vitamin deficiency

Endogenous or secondary vitamin deficiency is caused by inadequate absorption or digestion of vitamins by the body. Thus, there are enough vitamins in food, but the body for some reason (chronic diseases, congenital anomalies) does not absorb them. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Avitaminosis is a pathological condition of the body associated with a deficiency or complete absence of vitamins, which are catalysts for many metabolic processes. Symptoms of vitamin deficiency are divided into general and specific, and their severity depends on the degree of vitamin deficiency:

subnormal supply (the amount of biologically active substances is at the lower limit of normal);
hypovitaminosis (there is a lack of vitamins that does not reach normal levels);
vitamin deficiency (complete lack of one or more substances).

Vitamin complexes are a necessary component of the normal functioning of the human body. Knowing how vitamin deficiency disease manifests itself is necessary to achieve rapid compensation for the problem. These substances are irreplaceable chemical components and come to humans only with food. There are several vitamins, for example, nicotinic acid, which are produced in minute quantities in the body, but such a concentration is still not enough for full participation in many metabolic processes.

General symptoms of vitamin deficiency

The pathological state of vitamin deficiency is formed due to their inadequate intake into the body. Most often, the causes of the problem are unbalanced nutrition or pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, which cause vitamin deficiency. Symptoms of vitamin deficiency in this condition will be most pronounced, since the complete absence of the substance leads to a complete stop of some chemical processes.
A healthy person with adequate nutrition will not develop symptoms of vitamin deficiency, since this condition implies the absence of a biologically active substance in principle. However, a lack of vitamins occurs even among those who try to balance their diet as much as possible.

Hypovitaminosis occurs in the winter-spring season, when there is a shortage of fresh vegetables and fruits - natural sources of most vitamin complexes.

Its symptoms are less pronounced and dangerous.

General signs of spring vitamin deficiency:

pathological skin conditions (dryness, peeling, exacerbation of chronic diseases);
rapid and massive hair loss;
thinning, brittleness and peeling of nails;
chronic fatigue and drowsiness;
decrease in cognitive functions (memory, thinking, attention);
pain syndromes in different parts of the body;
decreased muscle tone;
dyspeptic syndrome (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and so on).

General symptoms occur in the early stages of the disease, when the process is still in relative compensation. In such cases, a person can take the necessary substances from food by consuming foods rich in vitamins.

Special symptoms of different types of vitamin deficiency

The disease cannot be characterized by the absence of all groups of vitamin substances, and each complex performs its own functions. Therefore, the characteristic symptoms of vitamin deficiency are signs specific to a particular group, thanks to which it is possible to distinguish a specific variant of deficiency:

Retinol deficiency(A). The main symptom of this vitamin deficiency is visual impairment, which is manifested by worsening twilight vision.
Lack of calciferol(D). Fragility and fragility of the bone apparatus, arbitrary fractures, as well as the formation of rickets are specific symptoms of this vitamin deficiency.
No tocopherol(E). Pathologies of the reproductive system, anemic syndrome (anemia), dystrophic phenomena in the muscles.
Vikasol deficiency(TO). The main symptom of vitamin deficiency is hemorrhagic syndrome, which is manifested by petechiae and hematomas, slowing blood clotting. Inadequate absorption of calcium, which leads to convulsions and bone fragility.
Ascorbic acid deficiency(WITH). The following symptoms are characteristic: a sharp decrease in immunity, tooth loss and bleeding gums, hemorrhagic syndrome, skin problems.
Thiamine deficiency(B1). Pronounced disorders in the central nervous system (paralysis, nystagmus, speech disorders, and so on).
Lack of vitamin P. Accompanied by the following symptoms: nonspecific phenomena in the form of fatigue and loss of ability to work, and is also manifested by pain in the limbs.
Riboflavin deficiency(B2). Development of inflammation in the eye apparatus, cataracts. Leads to mental retardation.
Pyridoxine deficiency(B6). It manifests itself as dermatitis, pathologies of the mucous membranes, anemic syndrome and problems with the nervous system.
Lack of cyanocobalamin(B12). Cognitive function is impaired and megaloblastic anemia is formed.
Folic acid deficiency. The first sign of vitamin deficiency is anemic syndrome. There are also problems with reproductive function in women and men.
Lack of niacin. Pronounced dermatitis forms, and dyspeptic syndrome in the form of diarrhea is characteristic.
Pantothenic acid deficiency(B5). Dangerous for women of childbearing age, as it leads to spontaneous abortions.
Lack of biotin(N). Violation of protein synthesis, problems with carbohydrate metabolism, which leads to a symptom of energy deficiency in the body.

Symptoms of vitamin deficiency in childhood

Symptoms of vitamin deficiency in children differ from manifestations in an adult body, since the child continues to develop and use vitamins as regulators of the formation of many structures. As a rule, Vitamin deficiency in childhood is more severe and can lead to irreversible consequences, especially related to brain activity. The child is more likely to have mental retardation associated with a lack of vitamins.

In childhood, the manifestation of vitamin deficiency can be characterized by the following symptoms:

rachitic bone lesions;
rapid weight loss;
loss of appetite;
a sharp drop in the body's resistance to infections;
impaired coordination of movements;
irritability and tearfulness or apathy and drowsiness;
stomatitis;
convulsive syndromes;
mental disorders.

At the first symptoms of vitamin deficiency in children, you should immediately consult a doctor to develop a program for restoring the deficiency and identifying its cause. Also in childhood, the prevention of vitamin deficiency, in particular vitamin D deficiency, plays an important role. The release of calciferol is due to the spread of rickets among young children.

How to deal with the symptoms of vitamin deficiency

Treatment of the disease in the presence of symptoms of vitamin deficiency cannot be carried out using folk remedies or normal normalization of nutrition. The absence of any vitamin indicates a severe damage to the body, which must be dealt with by a professional doctor.

Subnormal nutrition and hypovitaminosis can be eliminated by consuming foods containing increased amounts of vitamin complexes.

Symptoms for the treatment of vitamin deficiency characterize a severe condition of the body, for example, hemorrhagic syndrome in the absence of vitamin K or severe swelling and bleeding due to scurvy. The patient is prescribed special vitamin preparations, which can be taken orally, but are more often administered intravenously by stream or drip, depending on the specifics of the medication.

A separate contingent of patients are young girls who, instead of full-fledged treatment, try to use restorative cosmetics for hair, nails, skin, and so on. In women, vitamin deficiency is immediately noticeable, as symptoms such as severe hair loss, deterioration of the condition of nails and skin are noted. The problem must be treated with the help of qualified specialists.

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