Surprising symptoms that could signal a vitamin deficiencyVitamins are vital for the body. They promote good health and daily wellness, support brain and cell function and can keep energy levels topped up. But, if we don't get enough vitamins, this can translate into some surprising symptoms.
If you suffer from mouth problems such as ulcers, a sore or inflamed tongue or a burning sensation in the mouth, lack of vitamin B12 could be to blame. Vegans and vegetarians are more prone to this deficiency, as vitamin B12 is most commonly found in animal food sources. A supplement might, therefore, be useful for those in this category.
Tingling in the hands and feet
It's not just low levels of vitamin B12 that can cause a swollen tongue; vitamin B6 can also ignite this problem. But, deficiency can also manifest itself in other ways. Vitamin B6 is needed to keep nerves nice and healthy, so if you don't get enough of it, it may lead to nerve damage. Known as peripheral neuropathy, this can result in a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, or numbness. You might also be suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency if you feel lethargic and struggle to concentrate.
Vitamin B5 promotes healthy hair, skin and eyes, and it keeps your nervous system in good working order. While these parts of the body may suffer if you lack this vitamin, it's also often associated with another less-obvious complaint - burning feet. If your feet feel like they're on fire, make sure your vitamin B5 levels are topped up.
If you keep forgetting things, but have ruled out other conditions such as dementia, surprisingly, something as simple as depleted levels of vitamin B1 could be the cause of your memory loss. Also known as thiamin, this essential vitamin keeps the nerves, brain and muscles in tip-top shape.
Fine lines and wrinkles might be part and parcel of the ageing process, but they could also be a sign that you aren't getting enough vitamin C. As well as encouraging wrinkles to form, lack of vitamin C may be responsible for unsightly broken blood vessels appearing on the surface of the skin.
If you're short on these vitamins, boosting your intake with a collagen supplement containing added vitamins is an ideal way to stay in good health.