Natural Cure For Vitamins Deficiency

Abstract

Vitamins are the organic substance and are required in small quantities in the body. These vitamins need to come from food because the body does not produce these as itself or either produces in very small quantities. Twelve vitamins are known so far till now and have clinical effects in the human body. These are essential micronutrients that are required for the proper metabolism in the body. Vitamins have a variety of biochemical functions which will be discussed later in this article. So in this article we are going to discuss different Vitamins and their deficiency and also their natural prevention.

Different types of Vitamins

There are two types of vitamins

1. Water soluble vitamins: It contains Vitamin B and Vitamin C.

1. Fat soluble vitamins: It contains Vitamin A, D, E and K.

Now let’s just talk in brief about these Vitamins!

1. Vitamin A

This is a fat soluble vitamin which is also called as Retinol. This is the first vitamin to be recognized. This vitamin is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds which contains retinol, retinal and several provitamin A carotenoids.

Functions of Vitamin A:- It has multiple functions such as:

• It is important for the maintenance of immune system and its 11 –cis retinaldehyde is the initial part of the photoreceptor complex of rods and cons. This 11 –cis retinal is bound to the protein called opsin which further forms rhodopsin in rods and iodopsin in cones.
• Another function is to induce differentiation and growth of epithelial cells. Vitamin A is also known as an anti-infective vitamin. Also Vitamin A has these functions too such as gene transcription, skin and cellular health.

Daily requirement:

• 700 mcg for men
• 900 mcg for women
• 300-400 mcg for children

Dietary Sources: Vitamin A is provide from Liver, Milk, Butter, Cheese, Egg yolk, Fish liver oil, Carrots, Dark leafy vegetables, some yellow and red fruits such as apricots, pumpkin etc, red palm oil, Ghee, Sweet potato, Spinach, Papaya, Tomatoes, Spiruilina. Spirulina

Deficiency of Vitamin A: Deficiency of this vitamin affects approximately one third of children and it is estimated that 250,000-500,000 children become blind each year due to deficiency of Vitamin A. This is the leading cause of blindness of children according to UNICEF. This vitamin deficiency can occur as either a primary or a secondary deficiency. A primary deficiency occurs when children and adults don’t consume enough Vitamin A in their daily intake and secondary vitamin A deficiency occurs with chronic malabsorption of lipids, impaired bile production and any chronic exposure to drugs, oxidants etc. Zinc deficiency can also hamper the absorption, metabolism and transportation of Vitamin A.

Diseases caused by the deficiency of Vitamin A are:

• Night blindness
• Xerophthalmia
• Keratomalacia

Sign & Symptoms

• Night blindness
• Corneal necrosis and ulcers

Vitamin A supplement: A single large dose of 60 mg retinol as palmitate or acetate (200000 i.u.) should be given orally or through parenteral route (55 mg). A person should be advised to eat dark leafy vegetables. Increase the intake of food supplements that are rich in Vit. A as mentioned above.

Side-effects: If this single large dose is exceeded from its normal dose or if it is taken in repeated moderately high doses then the most serious side effect is teratogenicity. Acute overdose can lead to nausea, headache, increased intracranial pressure, skin desquamation. Chronic high doses can cause hepatotoxicity.

2. Vitamin B1

This is also known as Thiamin. It is a water soluble vitamin. It is useful in using carbohydrates as energy. Heating, cooking and boiling food items destroy thiamin, as this is water soluble. A person needs continuous supply of Thiamin, because it is not stored in the body.

Function of the Vitamin B1:

• It helps in preventing the complications of the nervous system, heart, brain, stomach etc.
• It is an essential coenzyme for the decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A.
• It is helpful in glucose metabolism.
• It regulates the Krebs cycle.

Daily Requirement

• 1.2 mg daily
• 1.4 mg in pregnancy

Dietary sources: Vitamin B1 is obtained from wheat gram, wheat flour, bread, yeast, nuts, legumes, oatmeal, pulses, cauliflower, oranges, eggs, potatoes.

Deficiency of Vitamin B1: Thiamin deficiency can produce high output cardiac failure, or peripheral neuropathy or encephalopathy. Encephalopathy is the first manifestation in less active people. The person who is taking high carbohydrate diets, heavy alcohol intake aggravates thiamin deficiency. The deficiency starts after one month of thiamin free diet.

Diseases caused by the deficiency of Vitamin B1

• Dry or wet beriberi
• Wernicke’s encephalopathy

Sign and symptoms

• Oedema is the most notable feature in wet beriberi
• Palpitation
• Pain in the legs
• Increased heart rate
• Skin of the extremities become cyanosed
• Muscle wasting
• Confusion
• Ataxia

Management: It can be managed by giving 50 mg thiamin intramuscularly for 3 days. The person is advised to eat a vitamin B1 rich diet to overcome the deficiency.

3. Vitamin B2

This is also called Riboflavin. Vit. B2 is a constituent of the flavoproteins which are the part of the oxidation chain in the mitochondria. It is a water soluble Vitamin. It is a yellow green fluorescent compound which is soluble in water. This compound is destroyed by the exposure to UV rays.

Function of Vitamin B2:

• It is required for cellular respiration.
• It is helpful in treating skin diseases.
• It is helpful in eye diseases.

Daily requirement:

• 1.2 mg per day

Dietary sources:

• Milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli
• Avocado
• Fortified white flour

Deficiency of Vitamin B2: This is an uncommon deficiency. There are mild riboflavin deficiencies in developing countries. Vascularisation of the cornea may also happen in this deficiency. A magenta coloured tongue and anemia have been reported to riboflavin deficiency.

Diseases caused by the deficiency of vitamin B2

• Angular stomatitis
• Cheilosis
• Nasolabial dyssebacia

Signs and symptoms:

• Stomatitis
• Scaly skin rashes on the scrotum, philtrum of the lip
• Eyes become itchy, watery and sensitive to light

Management: The therapeutic dose of riboflavin 5 mg should be given by mouth.

4. Vitamin B3

This is also called as Niacin. It is also a water soluble vitamin. Niacin is an organic compound and an essential human nutrient. It is normally synthesized in the body in small quantities from tryptophan.

Functions of Niacin:

• It plays a key role in lowering cholesterol level
• It maintains the normal energy metabolism in the body
• It is essential for processing of complex molecules in the food to simpler substances.

Daily requirement:

• 16 mg for men
• 14 mg for women

Dietary sources:

• Peanuts
• Legumes
• Meat
• Fish
• Wholesome wheat
• Yeast
• Coffee
• Cheese

Deficiency of Vitamin B3: the deficiency of niacin in the diet causes disease known as Pellagra. It is a life threatening condition. Deficiency also causes some psychiatric problems.

Sign and symptoms: This disease is mentioned in three D’s i.e. Diarrhea, Dermatitis and Dementia. Other symptoms are:

• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Dysphagia
• Angular stomatitis
• Erythema resembling severe sunburn

Management: it is given in a dose of 100 mg every 6 hours by mouth. Intake of proteins is advised to the patient.

5. Vitamin B6

This vitamin is known as Pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient for survival. This vitamin is widely distributed in plants and animal tissues.

Functions of the Vitamin B6: It is helpful in macronutrient metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, haemoglobin synthesis and gene expression.

Daily requirement:

• Males- 1 mg
• Females- 1.2 mg

Dietary sources:

• Fish
• Meats
• Potatoes
• Starchy vegetables
• Peanuts
• Bananas
• Rice
• Raisins
• Onions

Deficiency of Vitamin B6: The classical clinical syndrome of this deficiency is a seborrhoeic dermatitis. The diseases are sideroblastic anemia, angular cheilosis, depression and confusion.

Sign and symptoms:

• Eruption
• Atrophic glossitis with ulceration
• Itching
• Vertigo
• Anemia

Management: It should be managed by proper dietary intake and Vitamin B6 supplementation.

6. Vitamin C

This is a fat soluble Vitamin. It is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a modified simple sugar. It is found in various foods.

Functions of the Vitamin C:

• It is an essential nutrient in the repair of tissue.
• It is an important vitamin in the proper functioning of the immune system.
• It functions as an antioxidant.

Daily requirement:

• 30-75 mg per day

Dietary sources:

• Guavas
• Green peppers
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Oranges
• Potatoes
• Cabbage
• Indian gooseberry
• Blackcurrants
• Capsicum

Deficiency of vitamin C: Deficiency of this vitamin leads to the disease known as Scurvy. In this disease there is defective formation of collagen in connective tissue. There is delayed healing of wounds.

Signs and symptoms:

• Swollen and spongy gums
• Corkscrew hair growth
• Skin lesions

Management: A patient should be given a 250 mg dose by mouth 3 times a day.

Side effects: If Vitamin C is consumed in high doses then most common side effects are haemochromatosis.

7. Vitamin D

This is a fat soluble vitamin. This is also called Cholecalciferol. It regulates the calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. Vitamin D is formed in the skin by the action of ultraviolet rays on 7-dehydrocholesterol.

Function of Vitamin D:

• It promotes bone health by regulating calcium in the body
• It regulates insulin
• It maintains the proper functioning of immune system and nervous system
• It regulates the thyroid function

Daily requirement:

• In Infants- 400IU per day
• In children- 600 IU per day
• 70 years- 600 IU per day
• Above 70 years- 800 IU per day
• Pregnant or lactating women- 600 IU per day

Dietary sources:

• Milk
• Fish (Tuna, Salmon)
• Daily products
• Orange juice
• Eggs
• Liver
• Cereals
• Mushrooms
• Exposure to sunlight (natural and good source of vitamin D)

Deficiency of vitamin D: Deficiency of this vitamin causes various health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, weakening of bones, immune disorders, thyroid dysfunctioning, cardiovascular disorders.

Diseases caused by the deficiency  of vitamin D: These causes bone disorders such as Rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis.

Sign and symptoms: A person who is suffering from vitamin D deficiency has following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Joints pain
• Loss of hair
• Recurrent infections
• Mood swings
• Muscular pain

Management: it can be managed by some dietary and lifestyle changes and also Vitamin D supplementation

8. Vitamin E

It is also known as Tocopherol. It is a group of eight fat soluble compounds which include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.

Functions of Vitamin E:

• It plays various roles in biochemical reactions. 
• It protects cell membranes from reactive oxygen species
• It plays a role in smooth muscle growth
• This vitamin maintains the health of cardiac muscles
• It prevents us from free radicals

Dietary sources:

• Wheat gram
• Hazelnut
• Sunflower oil
• Almond oil
• Grapeseed
• Popcorn
• Avocados
• Asparagus
• Potato
• Fish
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Milk

Daily requirement:

• 7- 10 mg/day

Deficiency of Vitamin E: It is a rare deficiency usually due to any underlying cause such as problems in digestion. Due to its deficiency there are abnormalities in dietary fat absorption or metabolism. There is a genetic abnormality of genes coding alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TPP), with this abnormality there is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as ataxia. There are nerve problems due to poor conduction of electrical impulses. This deficiency also causes peripheral neuropathy, myopathies and impairment of immune responses.

Management: Vitamin E supplementation should be given as a soft gel capsules (amount ranging 100-1000 IU/serving)

9. Vitamin K

This is a water soluble Vitamin and also known as phylloquinone. This is a coagulation vitamin which is useful in clotting. It is of two types Vit K1 and Vit k2.

Function of Vitamin K:

• It is an important vitamin for the synthesis of an unusual amino acid, γ-carboxyglutamic.
• It is useful in formation of clots for stoppage of bleeding.

Daily requirement:

• 80 µg/day

Dietary sources:

• Spinach
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Blueberries
• Carrot
• Mango
• Sweet potato
• Tomato
• Grapes
• Chicken
• Fish
• Eggs
• Human milk

Deficiency of Vitamin K: Due to deficiency of this vitamin there is delay in blood clotting or failure to clot. In severe cases there is excessive bleeding either internally or externally. A person who is suffering from malabsorption can also suffer from Vitamin K deficiency.

Management: Vitamin K supplementation should be done along with proper dietary intake.

10. Vitamin B12

This is also called cobalamin and is a water soluble vitamin which is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. Vitamin B12 is a cofactor in DNA synthesis and metabolizes both fatty acid and amino acid. It is the largest and most structurally complex vitamin.

Functions of vitamin B12:

• It is important in the normal functioning of the nervous system.
• It is helpful in the maturation of developing red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Dietary sources: This is mostly obtained from animal foodstuffs. Vegetables have a very low amount of Vitamin B12.

Daily requirement:

• 1-2 µg daily

Deficiency of Vitamin B12: Deficiency takes at least 3 years to appear in the body and prolonged deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia. Deficiency may be due to tapeworms in the intestines (Improper digestion), Crohn’s disease etc.

Signs and symptoms: A person has following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Muscle twitching
• Feeling dizzy
• Low appetite
• Weakness in hands and feet

Management: It is treated with diet and supplements. Person should be given milk products.

Now let’s just talk about some natural ways to manage Vitamin deficiencies!

The first and foremost natural way to manage deficiencies is dietary sources. Along with that we should give some best herbal products for fulfilling the requirements of Vitamin. So Planet Ayurveda provides some herbal products for the treatment of deficiency of vitamins.

Ayurvedic Treatment by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company. This company offers herbal products worldwide. These herbal products are 100% natural and prepared from the standardized extract of potential herbs. They are free from any type of chemicals and additives. Along with the disease management they also provide nourishing supplements for maintaining the nutritional needs of the body. They provides following herbal products:

1. Green Essentials
2. Spirulina Capsules

Product Description

1. Green Essentials

Green essentials are poly herbal formulations. This herbal formulation is prepared using gape seed (Vitis vinifera), wheat grass (Triticulum Aestivum), Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis), Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) etc. It is a very effective supplement which fulfills the requirement of nutrition to the body. It prevents aging, fights illnesses and clears free radicals. It is a rich source of Iron, B complex, Vitamin C and natural antioxidants.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Spirulina Capsules

This is a single herbal formulation and is a very effective or natural supplement for the body. It is prepared using the standardized extracts of Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis). It is a very good antioxidant and removes all the harmful toxins from the body. It is rich in natural proteins, vitamins, minerals and omega 6 fatty acids.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day after meals with plain water.

Conclusion