Vitamins are such substances by means of which the metabolism is carried out in the body and, as a result, energy is released. Vitamin deficiency, or hypovitaminosis - a condition in which the body does not have enough vitamins. And vice versa, if in the body the excess of vitamins is hypervitaminosis. And the first and second state is poorly reflected on human health.
What are the signs of vitamin deficiency?
If you feel:
- drowsiness, chronic fatigue, irritability, decreased attention and memory, then we can assume a state of vitamin C, E, and PP deficiency;
- decreased visual acuity - vitamin A deficiency;
- damage to the mucous membrane and skin of the lips (long-healing cracks in the lips), oral mucosa (stomatitis), hair loss, problems with nails - vitamin deficiency of B2, B6, B12 and E;
- bleeding gums, slow healing of wounds on the skin - vitamin deficiency C and K.
Especially in the spring, as never before, symptoms associated with vitamin deficiency (avitaminosis or hypovitaminosis).
How is vitamin deficiency eliminated?
To replenish the stocks of vitamins in the spring is much more difficult than in the summer or even in the autumn. Although the stores have a variety of overseas fruits and delicacies, their health value is questionable. All of them are pre-treated for long-term storage, and in the spring the amount of vitamins in them decreases. For example: storing cabbage at room temperature a day leads to loss of vitamin C by 25%, during 3 days - by 70%. Using the same amount of food in winter and spring, we already get less vitamins than in summer and autumn. Also our diet has lost variety. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners are reduced to a narrow standard set of several basic products and ready meals. The share of canned foods that have undergone intensive processing has increased, which inevitably leads to a significant loss of vitamins.
To help us come vitamins from the pharmacy. Multivitamin complexes are the best way to maintain beauty and health. Also, do not forget that the body and the soul after the winter are already very yearned for the sunlight. If possible, replace the electric lighting with daylight, spend more time in the air during the daylight, or at least visit the window in the office at least more often. Do active sports, limit yourself to smoking, try to get rid of your bad habits. Before buying these or other vitamins, consult your doctor-therapist, as often under the mask of beriberi, other diseases appear.
When selecting the complexes, pay attention to the following:
- The drug should contain 12 vitamins;
- The amount of each vitamin should correspond to the recommended daily dose and not exceed it:
- A: 1.5-2 mg / day
- B1: 2-3 mg / day
- B2: 2.5-3.5 mg / day
- PP (O3): 15-20 mg / day
- B6: 2 mg / day
- C: 75-100 mg / day
- E: 15 mg / day
- The expiry date must be indicated on the package; to get vitamin complexes better in a large pharmacy.
Take these complexes should be during meals. If you have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to take supplements in the form of capsules. The course dose: 2-6 weeks. At the same time, it is necessary to observe the drinking regime, that is, the adequate introduction of liquid. Long-term use and, especially, excess of the dose of vitamin preparations can do more harm than good. For example, smokers who "abused" beta-carotene (vitamin A) for a long time, are more likely to have lung cancer.
An overdose of folic acid can cause skin irritations, and a "bust" of vitamin E is an increase in blood pressure. Fashionable antioxidants today in large quantities will most likely harm your body and are unlikely to give the expected results. Any vitamin and mineral complex can be bought in a pharmacy without a prescription, but this does not mean that it should be taken chaotically, intensively and in too massive doses. Feeling of a measure in this matter will never prevent anyone!