Vitamin deficiencies

- Are a common problem worldwide, and can have serious health consequences. A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is the best way to get enough essential vitamins and minerals. However, some populations are at higher risk of certain deficiencies due to factors such as poverty, poor dietary choices, and health conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption.

Here is a summary of some of the most common vitamin deficiencies and their health consequences:

1. Vitamin A deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 19% of the world's population, particularly children and pregnant women. Vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems, including night blindness and increased risk of blindness, as well as increased susceptibility to infections.
2. Vitamin D deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide, or 15% of the world's population. Vitamin D is important for bone health and deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, leading to weak bones and increased risk of fractures.
3. Vitamin B12 deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 15-20% of older adults and up to 30% of people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Vitamin B12 is important for nerve function and red blood cell production. Deficiency can cause anemia, nerve damage, and cognitive decline.
4. Iron deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 25% of the world's population, with women and young children being most at risk. Iron is important for carrying oxygen in the blood, and deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, and weakened immune system.
5. Folate deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 11% of the world's population, with women of reproductive age being particularly vulnerable. Folate is important for cell division and DNA synthesis, and deficiency can cause neural tube defects in newborns and anemia.
6. Vitamin C deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 10% of the world's population, particularly in developing countries. Vitamin C is important for skin and wound healing, as well as immune system function. Deficiency can cause scurvy, which is characterized by gum disease and skin bruising.
7. Thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 10% of the world's population, particularly in developing countries. Thiamin is important for energy production and nerve function, and deficiency can cause beriberi, which is characterized by muscle weakness and heart problems.
8. Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 10% of the world's population, particularly in developing countries. Niacin is important for energy production and skin health, and deficiency can cause pellagra, which is characterized by skin rashes, diarrhea, and dementia.
9. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) deficiency: This deficiency is relatively rare, but can occur in populations with poor diets or high alcohol consumption. Riboflavin is important for energy production and skin health, and deficiency can cause ariboflavinosis, which is characterized by skin rashes and mouth sores.
10. Calcium deficiency: This deficiency affects approximately 10% of the world's population, particularly in developing countries and postmenopausal women. Calcium is important for bone and teeth health, and deficiency can cause osteoporosis, which is characterized by weak bones and increased risk of fractures.

References:

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Vitamin A deficiency. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vitamin-a-deficiency
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Vitamin D. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vitamin-d
• National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Vitamin B12. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
• National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Iron. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
• National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Folate. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-Consumer/

1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/
2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Vitamin C. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vitamin-c
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Thiamin (Vitamin B1). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/thiamin-(vitamin-b1)
4. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Niacin (Vitamin B3). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/niacin-(vitamin-b3)
5. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Riboflavin (Vitamin B2). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/riboflavin-(vitamin-b2)
6. National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Calcium. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Global report on osteoporosis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/global-report-on-osteoporosis