Avitaminosis: causes, symptoms, treatment

Sooner or later, but we all are faced with the problem of vitamin deficiency. Dropped immunity, travel to a tropical climate, stress and so on create a blow to the body. The topic of this article is vitamin deficiency. What it is, how it manifests itself, how it is dangerous and how to avoid it.

Avitaminosis - what is it

Avitaminosis is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of vitamins in the body. It may be a lack of just 1 element - monoavitaminosis, or a whole complex - called hypovitaminosis. The consequences of a lack of trace elements in the body can be very diverse, up to frightening. As a constant, concomitant with this ailment - metabolic disorder. What is also dangerous for the body is that standard functions are violated, growth and development slows down.

If we talk specifically about vitamin deficiency, then this is a short-term state of lack of vitamins and minerals in the body in the winter-spring period.

Why are vitamins important? These are irreplaceable biologically active elements that serve as conductors in all processes of the body. Their lack leads to disruption of the normal metabolic cycle in the body, failure of the stable work of the whole organism as a whole or its individual parts.

Causes of vitamin deficiency

Among the reasons that cause a lack of nutrients in the body are the following:

• insufficiently balanced diet or violation of food intake regimes;
• digestive problems, malfunctioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• alcohol abuse or tobacco smoking;
• stress;
• disorder of intestinal microflora;
• metabolic disorders due to chronic diseases, for example, liver;
• pregnancy or the presence of injuries, at this time the body needs an increased concentration of beneficial trace elements;
• children's or old age - due to age-related characteristics of metabolism.

Avitaminosis: symptoms

There are 2 types of vitamin deficiency:

1. Internal, which are not visible to the eye and are detected during examination and disruption of the internal organs.
2. External, such as a violation of skin pigmentation or profuse hair loss.

The main symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies are:

• violation of general well-being - difficult getting up in the morning, constantly bad mood, absent-mindedness, lack of attention, irritation;
• deterioration in appearance - dry cracked skin, discoloration of the skin, dry, brittle or even falling hair, bleeding gums;
• frequent colds, the greatest vulnerability to herpes and all kinds of fungi;
• violation of skin regeneration, the appearance of abscesses and ulcers;

Below we will talk in detail about the consequences for the body of a lack of a particular vitamin.

Lack of vitamin A

The lack of an element such as vitamin A can result in the following disorders in the body:

1. Visual acuity directly depends on this element. Therefore, vitamin A deficiency causes "night blindness", dry eyes - sand, burning, redness.
2. Disruptions in the function of the skin - dryness, redness, peeling, inflammation.
3. Disorders in the work of female organs, the elasticity of the ovaries decreases. Adhesions are possible.
4. The likelihood of infectious diseases in the genitourinary or respiratory systems increases.
5. Decreased immunity.
6. Slower development in childhood.

You can compensate for the lack of this element by balancing the diet. Include in food without fail such foods as:

• fresh carrots with sunflower oil - the oil medium promotes the absorption of vitamin A;
• liver;
• egg yolk;;
• spinach;
• bell pepper;
• blueberries.

Vitamin A is a powerful natural antioxidant. Therefore, it is valuable in the fight against age-related changes in the body.

Lack of vitamin D

This trace mineral is responsible for strong bones and teeth. Therefore, its lack turns into problems in the musculoskeletal system, increased fragility of bones. It can also cause muscle aches and cramps. The onset of rickets and increased excitability of the nervous system in children. Increased sweating and diarrhea in adults. If you start vitamin D vitamin deficiency, serious health problems may occur:

1. Diabetes.
2. Hypertension.
3. Oncology.

You can fill the lack of this substance by "leaning" on the following products:

• fish oil, caviar and liver;
• chicken yolk and liver;
• cheese;
• cottage cheese and dairy products;
• goat milk.

Lack of vitamin E

Tocopherol is the scientific name for the element. Important for the normal function of skin cell membranes. Protect red blood cells and accelerate the delivery of oxygen throughout the body.

1. Violations in the proper functioning of the genital organs, malfunctioning of the ovaries in women.
2. The overgrowth of the liver with fat, as a result of metabolic disorders in its cells.
3. Premature wilting, aging of the skin.
4. Memory impairment.
5. Muscle weakness.
6. Irritability, tearfulness.
7. The normal amount of hormones in the body, especially during pregnancy.
8. Promotes the full assimilation of vitamin A by the body.
9. Very important when pregnancy- ensures normal growth and neuropsychic development of the fetus. Helps the skin to cope with the stress caused by changes in body proportions.

You can get it by eating:

• nuts and seeds;
• cereal porridge;
• fresh vegetables and fruits, especially avocados;
• completely exclude ready-made frozen meals from the diet.

Clean fresh air also has a big effect on vitamin E deficiency. What is the problem for residents of megacities.

Lack of B vitamins

Group B includes a complex of vitamins - B1, B2, B6, B12, B3, B5 and others. They also include vitamin PP, which is responsible for appetite and the digestive system. With its lack, there is dryness in the esophagus, vomiting, problems with stool, disruptions in the secretion of gastric juice.

The lack of group B can result in such consequences as:

1. Disturbances in the function of the nervous system, a tendency to depression.
2. Excessive sweating.
3. Damage to areas of the brain.
4. Malfunctions of the cardiovascular system.
5. In advanced stages, anemia may occur.
6. Decreased energy.
7. Insomnia.
8. Muscle cramps.
9. Decreased visual acuity.
10. Skin problems.

You can fill this shortage with the following products:

• seeds and nuts;
• buckwheat porridge;
• corn;
• potatoes;
• cereals;
• liver;
• mushrooms;
• dairy products, cheese;
• green vegetables;
• egg yolk;
• meat.

Avitaminosis: treatment

If there are no external disorders in the body, then it is possible to identify vitamin deficiency only with the help of a general blood test, the appointment for which is given by the local therapist. Usually no specialized techniques or medications are used.

For a successful recovery, you must apply a set of measures:

1. Eat healthy, balanced, and timely.
2. Go in for sports.
3. Keep stressful situations to a minimum.
4. Give up bad habits.
5. Enter the correct sleep mode.
6. Spend more time outdoors, if possible, in the sun. A correct and safe tan has never harmed anyone.
7. Eat as many fresh vegetables, fruits and berries as possible. Drink homemade fruit drinks and compotes.
8. Avoid all ready-made, frozen, fast food.
9. Be sure to eat dried fruits. In any convenient form.
10. Talk to a specialist about supplementing your vitamin and mineral complex. Easier - pharmacy vitamins.

Prevention of vitamin deficiency

Be attentive to what you eat. When buying vegetables and fruits, pay close attention to their appearance. It is best to buy fresh herbs from the markets.

Be sure to eat cereal porridge, it is tasty and healthy. Cereals are an excellent side dish for meat dishes.

Freeze berries in the freezer for the winter if possible. After that, they can be eaten in their pure form, added to milk porridge, compotes, baked goods.

Try not to heat vegetables and herbs. Vitamins break down when the temperature rises.

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that many vitamins are not absorbed without conductors. So, vitamin A goes in a company with vitamin E. Together they dissolve well in a fatty environment. Therefore, it is recommended to season carrot salad with sunflower oil or sour cream.

Eat more apples and citrus fruits. Get in the habit of drinking tea with a lemon wedge. Especially important in winter. Sauerkraut is also indispensable during cold weather, for maintaining immunity and saturating the body with useful substances.

Be sure to include rosehip broth and dried fruits in your diet. Rosehip is one of the most valuable natural products. It contains almost all known useful vitamins and minerals.

Remember, healthy doesn't mean tasteless. Eat right and value your health. Remember - everything is good in moderation!