Vitamins & Malnutrition

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get the right amount of nutrients it needs. Inadequate dietary intake, medication use and digestive problems may result in malnutrition. Vitamins are organic compounds necessary for proper functioning and good health. Malnutrition may result if you lack a single vitamin in your diet. It may be mild with no symptoms or severe and cause permanent damage to your body. Symptoms of malnutrition vary depending upon the deficient vitamin.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A supports healthy eyes, skin, hair, nails and teeth. It is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and fights against colds, flu and infections. A lack of vitamin A in the diet can result in night blindness, dry eyes, rough skin, slow bone growth and decreased resistance to infection. To ensure your body gets enough vitamin A, it is important to eat a variety of foods such as dairy, fish, liver, pumpkin, carrots, apricots, squash and leafy greens. Men need 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day, and women need 8,000 IU daily.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the collagen synthesis; blood vessel wall strength; enhanced absorption of iron; wound healing; bone development; and healthy skin, teeth and gums. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative damage. Men require 90 mg of vitamin C daily, and women need 75 mg each day. Foods rich in vitamin C include berries, citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, herbs, papaya and mango. If you do not meet your daily requirements for vitamin C, you may experience muscle weakness, bleeding gums, easy bruising, swollen or painful joints, slow healing wounds, brittle hair, scaly skin, anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed immune system and scurvy.

Vitamin D

The primary role of vitamin D is to maintain appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood to promote bone formation and bone density. On average, adults need between 200 and 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Vitamin D is found primarily in egg yolks, fish and fortified milk. A deficiency will result in softening of the bone, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, muscle pain, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis and hypocalcemia. A vitamin D deficiency can increase your risk for diabetes caused by insufficient insulin production, high blood pressure, hypertension, autoimmune disease and certain cancers.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting vitamins A and C, red blood cells and essential fatty acids from oxidative destruction. Vitamin E protects the skin, slows cellular aging, boosts the immune system, decreases the risk of certain cancers and delays the onset of neurological disorders. All adults require 15 mg of vitamin E per day. Foods rich in vitamin E include vegetable oil, margarine, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fortified cereals. Deficiency symptoms include anemia, loss of appetite, cataracts, angina, muscle and limb weakness, nerve damage, lack of coordination, decreased fertility, digestive tract dysfunction and weakening of the immune system.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is responsible for blood clotting and bone health. Vitamin K plays an essential role in cartilage formation, bone and dentine development, decreased calcium loss and bone mass maintenance. Signs of a vitamin K deficiency include easy bruising, excessive bleeding, blood in the stool or urine, hemorrhaging, osteoporosis, low bone mineral density and fractures. Men require 120 ug of vitamin K per day, and women need 90 ug daily. To avoid these symptoms, consume adequate amounts of green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and liver.