What
Can Vitamin Deficiencies Lead To?
What Can Vitamin Deficiencies Do?
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Vitamins are essential to healthy living, and they
perform best when there are adequate amounts of each and every one.
There are many different types of vitamins, each having its own
specific benefit to various parts and functions of the human body.
Take gasoline and oil in an automobile for instance (one can pretend
they are vitamins). A car (the human body) needs gasoline to drive.
Now, gasoline by itself doesn't keep the car driving without oil
in the engine. In that same sense, the perfect amount of oil in
the engine is useless without gasoline to power it. The two vital
substances are both required at the same time, and need to be replenished
very frequently to keep the car running smoothly in the same way
all people constantly need vitamins to continue living healthy.
If just one of the many things needed to run a car (oil in the engine,
air in the tires, gas in the tank, and headlights at night) are
missing, the entire car is inoperable, totally useless. While the
human body still may be able to perform without the appropriate
levels of just a few vitamins for a short period of time, hundred
of years of research point towards disease and sickness as a result.
Each vitamin has a complex of symptoms and signs
that characterize its deficiency. Currently, the most important
benefit attributed to vitamins in general are their anti-oxidant
properties. Vitamins A, C, E, and many of the carotenoids and phytochemicals
are scavengers for particles known as oxygen-free radicals (or oxidants).
These chemically active particles are by-products of many of the
body's normal chemical processes. Their numbers are increased by
environmental assaults, such as smoking, chemicals, toxins, and
stress. The simple act of living also produces them, as we breathe
in oxygen constantly.
At moderate to high levels, oxidants and free radicals can be very
harmful. They can damage cell membranes and interact with genetic
material, possibly contributing to the development of a number of
disorders including cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and even the
aging process itself. Oxygen-free radicals can also enhance the
dangerous properties of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol,
a major player in the development of atherosclerosis. Antioxidant
Vitamins A, C, E, carotenoids, and many phytochemicals can neutralize
free radicals, and may reduce or even prevent some of their damage.
For instance, deficiencies of Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene
have been linked to heart disease. All of these nutrients have antioxidant
effects and other properties that may benefit the heart. Vitamin
E may prevent blood clots and the formation of fatty plaques and
cell proliferation on the walls of the arteries. Of interest are
studies suggesting that 1200 IU of the natural (d) alpha tocopherol
form of Vitamin E (4000% US Recommended Daily Value) reduces inflammation
and damage to blood vessels. Type 2 Diabetics, as suggested by many
health professionals, may in particular benefit from this as well.
Vitamin E deficiency should therefore never be allowed to occur
if you have this type of Diabetes.
Other Vitamin E compounds, including gamma tocopherol or tocotrienol
may also have specific benefits. Studies are fairly consistent in
indicating that eating foods rich in natural Vitamin E may be protective.
Vitamin C appears to maintain blood vessel flexibility and improve
circulation in the arteries of smokers. In one English 2001 study,
people whose diets were rich in foods that elevated levels of Vitamin
C in their blood were at lower risk for heart disease, overall poor
health, and even death. Vitamins E and C in combination have even
been shown to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease!
Several important studies have demonstrated a link between deficiencies
in the B Vitamins (folate, B6, and B12) and elevated blood levels
of homocysteine, an amino acid believed to be a risk factor for
atherosclerosis and heart disease. Both Vitamins B12 and folate
reduce homocysteine levels, although it is not yet clear if this
effect is actually protective against heart disease. (Homocysteine
may simply be a marker, not a cause, of heart disease.) Major studies
are under way and early results are promising. Another 2001 study
for example, reported lower rates of heart disease in populations
that had high levels of folate and B12, regardless of any other
risk factor.
A supplemental dosage of 0.8 mg/ day (200% US Recommended Daily
Value) of folate (also known as folic acid) appears to be necessary
for reducing homocysteine levels. Folate also improves blood flow
through the arteries, which may be of equal or greater importance
for the heart than its effect on homocysteine. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
is used for lowering unhealthy cholesterol levels. Although Vitamin
B3 is available over the counter, a physician should prescribe niacin
in order to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Studies have reported that a high intake of fruits and vegetables
containing beta carotene, lycopene, and other carotenoids may reduce
the risk of heart attack. For example, lycopene-poor diets (particularly
lycopene in tomatoes) were associated with a significantly higher
risk of heart disease and stroke. In another study involving animals,
lutein protected against early hardening of the arteries.
It should be stressed, however, that studies are continuing to indicate
that high doses of supplements of any of these antioxidants have
pro-oxidant effects that can harm the arteries and incur other damage,
so avoid very high doses.
The protection that vitamins offer us against a variety of other
diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s diseases, respiratory
diseases and infectious diseases by boosting our immunity and eyes
and skin function among others will be lost if these and other vitamins
are deficient. The human body is at high risk of suffering
from the symptoms and signs of the lack of each respective vitamin.
Maintaining proper vitamin intake is quite simple, with the help
of a healthy diet and a high-quality liquid multivitamin taken daily.
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