Why Vitamins are Important?
Vitamins are extremely vital for our healthy existence. To understand their role in maintaining good health, let us have a look at the three important Vitamins.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is not a simple vitamin. It is a steroid hormone that impacts virtually every cell in the body. It is synthesized in the skin on exposure to sunshine and is needed to absorb calcium for bone health. It's also an important factor in making sure our muscles, heart, lungs and brain work well and that our body can fight infection. It manages calcium in our blood, bones and gut and helps cells all over your body to communicate properly.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are usually vague muscle/joint pain, weakness, bone pain, tiredness, fatigue or even depression. It weakens bones, and causes rickets, tooth decay, kidney stones, muscle weakness and poor absorption of calcium. Nowadays it is observed that people who are deficient in Vitamin D are more likely to have diabetes, regardless of how much they weigh.
VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 regulates the functions of the brain and nervous system. It plays an important role in the formation of blood. Vitamin B12 is also used to treat memory loss; Alzheimer's disease; boosting mood, energy, concentration and the immune system; and slowing aging. Vitamin B12 also helps our bodies absorb folic acid, which facilitates the release of energy. The risk of B12 deficiency increases along with age. Elderly people with low-vitamin B12 are more likely to suffer from brain shrinkage and cognitive decline. Pure vegetarian diet may result in Vitamin B12 deficiency which is becoming common amongst Indians.
The common symptoms are weakness, apathy, memory loss, acidity, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting, anemia, mental confusion, delusions, paranoia, respiratory symptoms, hives and other symptoms of allergy. A long-term deficiency can lead to heart attacks or stroke.
VITAMIN B9
Vitamin B9 is more commonly known as folate or folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B vitamin family. It is vital for several bodily functions, such as synthesis of DNA, RNA, to repair aiding rapid cell division and growth, to produce healthy red blood cells. It is important for pregnant women to have enough folic acid to prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine. It enhances brain health; folic acid supplementation may improve memory.
Signs of vitamin B9 deficiency are generally indicated by headache, nausea, and irritability. They are accompanied by fatigue, acne, sore tongue, and cracks at the corner of the mouth. At an advanced stage, it can also include loss of memory, restricted growth of the brain and nerves, paranoia, weakness, and skin cracking. Other common signs are loss of appetite, inflamed tongue and gastrointestinal problems.
Vitamin deficiencies usually develop slowly over several months to years. A timely genetic assessment of Vitamin absorption can be done and the supplementation can be started at an early stage.
Sources:-Mywelocity
