4 Signs of Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamins such as B12, B6, Omega-3, D, and more are essential for your health, but getting the right amounts of them daily can be tricky without a balanced, nutritious diet. When someone lacks a particular vitamin for a prolonged period, they experience a vitamin deficiency that can cause health problems such as fatigue, weakened immune system, poor recovery, or more serious conditions like infertility or anemia. In today’s blog, Dynamic DNA Labs helps you identify vitamin deficiencies with these four common signs.

Brittle and Thinning Hair

One of the most common signs of vitamin deficiency is brittle hair. If you notice an increase in split ends and your hair appears dry and lifeless, you may have a biotin (also called vitamin B7) deficiency. Biotin helps improve keratin, which is a primary component in the strength of hair follicles. The main function of biotin is to create fatty acids while metabolizing carbohydrates and amino acids. After biotin breaks down the fat, this turns into energy that is crucial to the body.

Slow Healing Process

Vitamin deficiencies can also slow your body’s recovery time from illness and injury, and one of the most important vitamins you need for recovery is vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to fight off infection and heal wounds. This important vitamin is stimulated through a chemical reaction in the skin when exposed to sunlight. To receive enough of this critical vitamin from sun exposure, it is recommended that you spend at least ten minutes in the sun, multiple times a week. Foods like tuna, salmon, egg yolks, and fortified dairy and non-dairy milk also contain vitamin D.

Reduced Vision at Night

Reduced vision at night is common in people who lack vitamin A. Vitamin A is necessary for the production of rhodopsin, which is a pigment found in the retina that allows you to see in low-light situations. If you’re having trouble seeing your way to the kitchen for a late-night snack, consult a specialist. Leaving this deficiency untreated can be dangerous for yourself, others, and for the longevity of your sight.

Mouth Sores and Gum Bleeding

Frequent mouth sores or bleeding gums can result from a vitamin C deficiency. When the cells in your mouth are weak, they have a higher likelihood of deteriorating while chewing or brushing your teeth. The most common reason people do not receive enough vitamin C is that they avoid fruits and vegetables, many of which are rich in this essential vitamin.

Catch the Signs Early with a Nutrition DNA Test from Dynamic DNA

Vitamin deficiencies can be dangerous, and if these symptoms are an everyday struggle for you, consult a specialist. One of the best things you can do is to address the problem before it’s a problem. Dynamic DNA Labs offers a Nutrition DNA Test that tests you for over 40 nutritional traits, including your basic nutritional needs. Not only is this DNA test great for addressing nutritional needs, but it also detects the optimal diet type for weight loss, reactions to gluten, and much more. Dynamic DNA Labs is happy to answer any questions you might have, so contact us today!