What are vitamins?

Vitamins are essential micronutrients present in our food. We require very little amount of it. Lack of these micronutrients may lead to some diseases.

Different types of vitamins

There are different types of vitamins present in nature. All are not essential for human beings. The essential vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K. We get them from proper food.

What is vitamin deficiency?

If we don't eat proper food, then the body lacks these micronutrients, which is called deficiency. This may lead to some diseases called deficiency diseases.

Why this deficiency?

Many people eat unbalanced food. This leads to vitamin deficiency and deficiency of other nutrients. 

Some others eat less than required amount of food. So, they do not get proper nutrition.

Some do not cook the food properly. So, the vitamins get destroyed.

Other name of vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-6 is also called Cobalamin

Functions of vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 has many essential functions. Some functions of vitamin B-12 are

1. It helps in blood formation

2. It helps in brain and nerve functioning

3. It helps in synthesis of fatty acid

4. It helps in energy metabolism

5. It helps in metabolism of folic acid.

Deficiency symptoms

If we lack vitamin B-12, our body shows some signs. They are called deficiency symptoms. Some of them are

1. Bleeding gums

2. Red inflamed tongue

3. Constipation

4. Stomach disorders

5. Gastritis

6. Shortness of breath

7. Impaired sense of touch

8. Fatigue

9. Sore tongue

10. Foot/ hand numbness

11. Foot/hand tingling

12. Memory loss

13. Anemia

14. Depression

15. Diarrhea

16. Confusion

17. Dementia

18. Disorientation

19. Looking pale

20. Weight loss

21. Muscle stiffness

22. Impaired balance

23. Dark rings around the eyes

24. Decreased concentration

25. Irritability

26. Lack of muscle coordination

27. Loss of appetite

Food suggestions

Foods are an essential source of vitamins. Some sources of vitamin B-12 are

For vegans

Fortified cereals

Non-veg/lacto sources

Milk, dairy products, egg, cod fish, halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, snapper, trout, clamps, scallops, shrimps, meat, animal liver, animal kidney

How to avoid deficiency?

Eat right amount of balanced diet with proper cooking technique. Try to eat the vegetables and fruits in their raw form. If cooking is required, cook it in such a manner that the nutrients remain in intake.

When to see a doctor?

When you feel something wrong with your body, go to a doctor. Have a vitamin diagnosis. If the report suggests a deficiency, take medication with the help of a doctor. Don't take Vitamin tablets without proper diagnosis. It may lead to vitamin intoxication

Vitamin B-12 intoxication symptoms

There is no known toxicity symptoms

Suggestion

In most of the cases, we get required amount of vitamins from our food. If we have some deficiency, we first have to change our food habit. For elderly people, the capacity of digestion and absorption decreases. So, they may require some medication.

Note: Things in this article are for information purpose and not for medical purpose.

What are vitamins?

Vitamins are essential micronutrients present in our food. We require very little amount of it. Lack of these micronutrients may lead to some diseases.

Different types of vitamins

There are different types of vitamins present in nature. All are not essential for human beings. The essential vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K. We get them from proper food.

What is vitamin deficiency?

If we don't eat proper food, then the body lacks these micronutrients, which is called deficiency. This may lead to some diseases called deficiency diseases.

Why this deficiency?

Many people eat unbalanced food. This leads to vitamin deficiency and deficiency of other nutrients. 

Some others eat less than required amount of food. So, they do not get proper nutrition.

Some do not cook the food properly. So, the vitamins get destroyed.

Other name of vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-6 is also called Cobalamin

Functions of vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 has many essential functions. Some functions of vitamin B-12 are

1. It helps in blood formation

2. It helps in brain and nerve functioning

3. It helps in synthesis of fatty acid

4. It helps in energy metabolism

5. It helps in metabolism of folic acid.

Deficiency symptoms

If we lack vitamin B-12, our body shows some signs. They are called deficiency symptoms. Some of them are

1. Bleeding gums

2. Red inflamed tongue

3. Constipation

4. Stomach disorders

5. Gastritis

6. Shortness of breath

7. Impaired sense of touch

8. Fatigue

9. Sore tongue

10. Foot/ hand numbness

11. Foot/hand tingling

12. Memory loss

13. Anemia

14. Depression

15. Diarrhea

16. Confusion

17. Dementia

18. Disorientation

19. Looking pale

20. Weight loss

21. Muscle stiffness

22. Impaired balance

23. Dark rings around the eyes

24. Decreased concentration

25. Irritability

26. Lack of muscle coordination

27. Loss of appetite

Food suggestions

Foods are an essential source of vitamins. Some sources of vitamin B-12 are

For vegans

Fortified cereals

Non-veg/lacto sources

Milk, dairy products, egg, cod fish, halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, snapper, trout, clamps, scallops, shrimps, meat, animal liver, animal kidney

How to avoid deficiency?

Eat right amount of balanced diet with proper cooking technique. Try to eat the vegetables and fruits in their raw form. If cooking is required, cook it in such a manner that the nutrients remain in intake.

When to see a doctor?

When you feel something wrong with your body, go to a doctor. Have a vitamin diagnosis. If the report suggests a deficiency, take medication with the help of a doctor. Don't take Vitamin tablets without proper diagnosis. It may lead to vitamin intoxication

Vitamin B-12 intoxication symptoms

There is no known toxicity symptoms

Suggestion

In most of the cases, we get required amount of vitamins from our food. If we have some deficiency, we first have to change our food habit. For elderly people, the capacity of digestion and absorption decreases. So, they may require some medication.

Note: Things in this article are for information purpose and not for medical purpose.