Understanding your body and skin and being able to read the signs they send is incredibly important – even more so as a skin care professional, since you can find out a lot about clients just by taking a good look at their skin. This article will discuss how many vitamin deficiencies first manifest. It is important to notice these signs early so they can be treated right away, before they lead to more significant damage. Being deficient in any one of the 13 essential vitamins will give unique symptoms. Let’s learn more about what they are.

VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is a very important micronutrient that is produced in the body. In fact, it is the only vitamin we can synthesize on our own – when skin is exposed to sunlight, cholesterol is transformed into vitamin D. Being deficient in this vitamin is very common. The signs often include depression, bone density loss, muscle weakness, and so on. Since vitamin D is hard to get from food, it’s important to advise clients to spend more time in the sun or take a supplement.

VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for brain and nerve function, as well as blood cell formation. Our bodies cannot produce it, even though all of our cells are dependent on it. Vitamin B12 is found in animal food, nori seaweed, and tempeh. Common deficiency signs include megaloblastic anemia, tingling, strange sensations, difficulty walking, and so forth.

VITAMIN B7
Vitamin B7 is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to the health of hair and nails. Being deficient in it is not common, but when it happens, it shows a series of recognizable signs. A deficiency will lead to thinning, splitting, or brittle hair and nails. In more serious cases, it can lead to hair loss and even chronic fatigue.

VITAMIN C
Another vitamin that is very important for the health of skin and hair is vitamin C. Being deficient in this will lead to dry and splitting hair, among many other serious problems. A common symptom is also bleeding gums, since vitamin C plays an important role in wound healing. Back in the day, scurvy was very common among sailors who did not have access to fresh produce on ships. Luckily, today, that condition is very rare.

VITAMIN A
Vitamin A is essential in forming and maintaining healthy skin, bones, teeth, and cell membranes. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be found in both animal and plant foods. Vitamin A deficiency is not common in western countries, but it can be frequently seen in developing countries where there is limited access to fruits and vegetables. Apart from causing skin issues, vitamin A deficiency can even lead to blindness and immunodeficiency.

Being aware of these signs of vitamin deficiency is critical for both clients and professionals in maintaining optimal health.

Nikola Djordjevic, doctor of medicine, SEO specialist, and project manager at MedAlertHelp, graduated in 2015 from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine and obtained his medical license in the same year. Throughout his academic and professional career, he experienced firsthand the vital importance of prompt action in medical emergencies. This was when his interest in medical alert systems first originated. His findings can be seen at medalerthelp.org. For more information on other vitamin deficiencies and the food sources of each vitamin, visit medalerthelp.org/the-world-of-vitamins-infographic.