What can cause vitamin deficiencies?
Causes of vitamin deficiencies can be summarized as follows: Cause – Inadequate food intake – Unbalanced food consumption. – Increased vitamin needs due to “life cycle”. – Increased vitamin needs due to “life-style” or other factors – Poor absorption and digestion People affected – Individuals living at or close to the “poverty” line. – Dieters consuming less than 1,800 Calories. – Strict vegetarians. – People with denture problems. – People who choose food unwisely due to ignorance, apathy or depression. – Others who work or study where nutritious meals are not available. – Newborn and premature infants. – Children and adolescents in periods of rapid growth. – Women who plan to become pregnant – Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding their infant. – The elderly. – Smokers (who need to increase vitamin C by 50%). – Women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. – People recovering from surgery or a long illness. – Many older people, drinkers, and long-term users of s
