| the best way to get all the nutrients your body | | | | osteoporosis is an increased risk. Vitamin D |
| needs is through whole foods. That should be | | | | facilitates the absorption of the calcium in the |
| easy right? Our culture of fast and convenient | | | | body and without it; bones lose out on the calcium |
| foods means that we are eating a lot of | | | | they need. There is also a correlation to |
| processed foods that don't contain enough of the | | | | depression and fatigue. Research has shown that |
| nutrients we need. As a result, nutritional | | | | a D nutritional supplement works to alleviate the |
| supplements are big business because we know | | | | symptoms of seasonal affective disorder or SAD. |
| we aren't eating right. Even in developed countries | | | | Vitamin D is fat-soluble so, again, it stays in the |
| like the United States it is still possible to become | | | | body longer making it more possible to take too |
| deficient in important nutrients. Illness, poor diet | | | | much. |
| and environment can all create deficiencies. Here | | | | C- Not enough C affects collagen production in the |
| are the signs and symptoms associated with a | | | | body. Collagen is a major building block for bones |
| deficiency in specific vitamins: | | | | and tissue to it is essential. Because it facilitates |
| A - A lack of this can create problems with vision, | | | | the absorption of iron, a lack of C may cause you |
| particularly night-time sight. It can also cause the | | | | to become iron deficient anemic. C is |
| conjunctivitis of the eye to thicken or form milky | | | | water-soluble, so like the B vitamins, it passes |
| white spots. If you take a nutritional supplement | | | | through the body rather quickly and may require |
| for A, be aware that it is fat soluble which means | | | | you to stagger your nutritional supplement dosing |
| it stays in the body longer making it easier to | | | | throughout the day to maintain good levels. |
| take too much. | | | | B12- B12 is essential to red blood cell production |
| Thiamine (B1) - This is an example of how poor | | | | and proper functioning of the nervous system. It |
| diet and illness can create deficiencies. Alcoholics | | | | is found in the liver. Vegetarians and people with |
| commonly lack enough thiamine. Beriberi is the | | | | autoimmune diseases are at risk of a deficiency. |
| disease that results and it attacks the nervous | | | | Anemia is the result when the body is low on red |
| and cardiovascular systems of the body. Memory | | | | blood cells. Fatigue, weakness, numbness and |
| acuity and muscle control are greatly | | | | reduced mental acuity are all symptoms of a |
| compromised. Edema and congestive heart failure | | | | deficiency. Because it is water-soluble, regular |
| are also a risk. B vitamins are water-soluble so | | | | dosing may be necessary to maintain proper |
| they pass through the body faster than | | | | levels, particularly if you fall into the at-risk |
| fat-soluble ones. It also means that you don't | | | | categories above. |
| have to take these nutritional supplements with | | | | Before taking any nutritional supplements, it is a |
| food. However, you may have to take more of it | | | | good idea to talk with your doctor. If you are |
| throughout the day as opposed to one dose with | | | | concerned about deficiencies, he can test you and |
| a meal. | | | | then prescribe a proper dosing schedule. It is |
| D- Sunlight helps the body produce its own D, but | | | | possible to take much of a good thing, so read |
| dangers of skin cancer have more and more | | | | the dosing instructions on the bottle and follow |
| people covering up. Luckily, most dairy foods have | | | | your doctor's recommendations. |
| D added to it. But, if there is a deficiency, | | | | |