Mineral And Vitamin Deficiencies

Consuming adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals is important to help prevent symptoms and diseases related to nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can result from inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption or the presence of certain diseases. Nutrient deficiencies that can significantly impact human health involve iron, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D and vitamin A.

Iron

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, a condition in which the body has a decreased amount of red blood cells, which help oxygenate the body. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 80 percent of people in the world may be iron deficient, and 30 percent may have iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include extreme fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, headaches and brittle nails. Iron deficiency can be corrected by eating iron-rich foods or taking iron supplements. Iron is found in foods such as meats, fortified cereals, legumes and egg yolks.

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 deficiency affects approximately 1.5 percent to 15 percent of the general population, according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia and is due to low dietary intake of vitamin B-12 or malabsorption. Symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, confusion and poor memory. B-12 deficiency can be corrected by oral supplementation or injections of vitamin B-12. Foods containing vitamin B-12 include meat, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese and fortified cereals.

Folate

Deficiency in folate, or the synthetic form folic acid, is due to malabsorption or low dietary intake, which can lead to a type of anemia. Folate deficiency during pregnancy can cause neural tube defects or low birth weight in infants. Folate deficiency in infants and children can cause decreased growth. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, the recommended dietary allowance for folate is 400 mcg for adults, 500 mcg for pregnant women and 600 mcg for lactating women.

Vitamin D

According to the NIH, people at risk for vitamin D deficiency include older adults, exclusively breastfed infants, people who lack sun exposure and people who cannot absorb fat. In children, vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a disease that results in bones that are soft or deformed. Osteomalacia, a disease that can cause bones and muscles to become weak, may occur in vitamin D-deficient adults. Sources of vitamin D include fish, fish oils, milk, vitamin D-fortified foods such as orange juice, yogurt and cereals, dietary supplements and sun exposure.

Vitamin A

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency is one of the most important and common nutrient deficiencies. It is more common in developing countries and can cause night blindness and a weakened immune system. Population groups at risk for vitamin A deficiency include children, people with fat malabsorption and strict vegetarians who don’t consume dairy products. Food sources of vitamin A include liver, fortified milk, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, apricots and tomato juice.