Common Deficiencies In Vitamins And Minerals

With so many different vitamins and minerals required by the body, a balanced diet is key for ensuring you get a healthy supply. However, even with a strict diet, it’s still possible to become deficient in certain types of nutrients.

Here, you’ll discover some of the most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies you need to be aware of.

Iron

Iron is found in every cell within the body, making it crucial for our health. However, it’s also one of the easiest minerals to be deficient in. It is particularly common in women who haven’t yet experienced the menopause, alongside pregnant women and young children.

When you have an iron deficiency, it can lead to anemia. This is where there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body. As a result, you’ll feel constantly tired, have brittle nails and pale skin.

Vitamin D

As we get most of our vitamin D levels from natural sunlight, it’s easy to not get enough of a daily dose. Those who work indoors and spend very little time outdoors are most at risk of a deficiency.

It can be difficult to get a decent level of vitamin D from your diet alone, so supplements are often required for those who are deficient in the vitamin.

Iodine

The thyroid hormone is reliant upon iodine during its production. The hormone is crucial for regulating the heartbeat, calorie burn and skin turnover. Like vitamin D, the body isn’t able to create its own Iodine supply. Instead, it can only be consumed via foods or supplements.

Those who live in an area where the soil is iodine deficient are most likely to not get enough in their diet. These include river valleys and mountainous areas....