Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible DeficienciesSymptomsComplicationsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Possible Deficiencies
Symptoms
Complications
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Vitamin deficiency can cause a range of symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and changes to your skin and hair. The specific symptoms depend on which vitamin(s) are at low levels, as each one plays a different role in your body.
For example, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones and fractures, while a folate deficiency can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness.
This article covers the symptoms and complications common to vitamin deficiencies, the causes and risk factors, and how vitamin deficiencies are diagnosed and treated.
Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images
Vitamins You Might Be Lacking
Your body produces many of the vitamins it needs. But your health depends on 13 vitamins that your body can’t make, so you need to get them through diet or supplements.
These essential vitamins are:
Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamin deficiency can cause a number of symptoms, including fatigue, dry skin and hair, depression, poor wound healing, and more. While they can vary between deficiencies, many of them overlap.
Usually, noticeable effects don’t begin to develop until you’ve had low levels for several months.
How a Vitamin B12 Blood Test Can Help Confirm Your Levels
Fatigue and Weakness
If you feel sleepy or sluggish all the time, you may be deficient in vitamin D, any of the B vitamins, and/or vitamin C.
Vitamin D helps with bone and muscle strength, so when you don’t have enough, you may feel weak and lack energy. Some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency is linked to fatigue and that takingvitamin D supplementscan improve this symptom.
Vitamin Cand all B vitamins except folate (B9) are involved in producing energy in your cells, so being deficient in any of them can leave you feeling wiped out. It can also have a major impact on your metabolism and overall health.
Dry Skin and Hair
Dry skin and hair are common symptoms of deficiencies in:
Some of these vitamins are commonly used in skincare and haircare products. Ask your healthcare provider whether dietary sources, supplements, or topical (on the skin) use is best for improving skin and hair health.
Use caution with vitamin A (retinol) products, however. High levels can actually harm your skin.
10 Supplements for Dry Skin
Depression
Vitamin deficiencies can sometimes be associated with clinical depression. They include:
Supplements may help alleviate depression, but they’re not a replacement for antidepressants.Don’t stop taking your medication or add supplements to your regimen without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Easy Bruising or Bleeding
Easy bruising and bleeding can happen due to problems with blood clotting, poor healing, or collagen formation. (Collagen gives strength to the walls of blood vessels.)
Essential vitamin deficiencies that can contribute to easy bruising or bleeding are:
Deficiencies of these vitamins are fairly uncommon, however.If you start bruising or bleeding easily, don’t just assume a deficiency is causing it.
Poor Wound Healing
Poor wound healing means that your sores take especially long to heal. A lot of essential vitamins contribute to the healing process. Some aid in collagen creation, others help with re-building different types of cells or tissues, and others promote cellular health through antioxidant activity.
Vitamin deficiencies that can contribute to poor wound healing include:
Drawbacks of Vitamin EVitamin E (a non-essential nutrient) might have a negative impact on wound healing. It can hamper collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity and may worsen inflammation. Research also suggests it may counter the benefits of vitamin A that’s taken to help with wound healing.
Drawbacks of Vitamin E
Vitamin E (a non-essential nutrient) might have a negative impact on wound healing. It can hamper collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity and may worsen inflammation. Research also suggests it may counter the benefits of vitamin A that’s taken to help with wound healing.
Predisposition to Infections
Some vitamin deficiencies affect yourimmune systemand can make you more likely to get infections and infectious diseases. These include:
A vitamin A deficiency is particularly dangerous when it comes to infection risk. It can predispose you to:DiarrheaMalariaMeaslesRespiratory diseaseChronic ear infections
A vitamin A deficiency is particularly dangerous when it comes to infection risk. It can predispose you to:
Bone Fractures
Essential vitamins that keep your bones strong and healthy include vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, and K.
While research shows deficiencies in any of these vitamins can lower your bone density and lead to fractures, it’s not clear whether nutritional supplements lower the fracture risk.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to protect your bone health.
Whileenoughof Vitamins A, B6, and B12 is important for strong bones,too muchmay actually lower your bone density and increase your risk of breaking bones, according to research.
Skin Color Changes
Skin color changes due to vitamin deficiency can manifest in a few different ways: loss of pigmentation in spots, darker pigmentation in spots, or generally pale skin.
Loss of pigmentation and light-colored spots may result from deficiencies in:
Darker pigmentation can be due to:
Deficiencies that can cause generally pale skin include:
Complications of Vitamin Deficiency
Prolonged vitamin deficiency can cause more serious health issues that may not improve, even with treatment. Severe vitamin deficiencies can cause:
Rare Effects
A few uncommon symptoms may be associated with vitamin deficiency, including:
Causes of Vitamin Deficiency
Often, vitamin deficiency is related to your diet. Vitamins are complex molecules present in fruit, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, and seafood. Each vitamin is found in more than one type of food, and some foods are fortified with vitamins. For example, milk naturally contains calcium (which is a mineral, not a vitamin) and it is fortified with vitamin D. Pasta, rice, and cereal are often fortified with a variety of vitamins.
In addition to dietary factors, medical conditions can affect your absorption of vitamins, even if your dietary vitamin intake is adequate.
Dietary Risk Factors
Some diets can make you prone to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in meats—a vegan or vegetarian diet can increase the risk of vitamin B12 and biotin deficiency. If you are dairy-free, then you may be at risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D.
A gluten-free diet is a diet low in grains, which are naturally rich in vitamins and are also often fortified with vitamins. So a gluten-free diet can make you deficient in many vitamins, including folate, and thiamine.
A diet that is high in processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables can result in vitamin E and vitamin K deficiency.
It is absolutely possible to avoid vitamin deficiency if you are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. However, this does require careful planning. Advice from a registered dietitian can help guide you.
Sunlight
Vitamin D is found in foods such as seafood, eggs, and dairy products. But sunlight is also an important source of vitamin D.And lack of sun exposure can result in vitamin D deficiency. In geographic regions that have a cold climate, this is fairly common during the winter,
Sunlight and Vitamin D
Medical Illness
A number of medical problems make it hard to properly absorb and metabolize vitamins. This can lead to vitamin deficiencies.
Common medical causes of vitamin deficiency include:
What Is Pernicious Anemia?Pernicious anemia is a type of autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine, decreasing absorption of vitamin B12. This results in an insufficient amount of healthy red blood cells.
What Is Pernicious Anemia?
Pernicious anemia is a type of autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine, decreasing absorption of vitamin B12. This results in an insufficient amount of healthy red blood cells.
Diagnosis of Vitamin Deficiency
Some vitamin deficiencies cause more than one symptom, and some symptoms (like sleepiness) can occur as a result of a few different vitamin deficiencies. Because symptoms do not always clearly correlate with the specific vitamin deficiency,diagnostic testingis the only way to confirm a vitamin deficiency.
The diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies can take some time. That is because it is not routine to test for vitamin levels. Your healthcare provider may consider testing if you have symptoms or if your physical examination identifies issues like bruises, wounds, skin discoloration, andneuropathy.
Neuropathy is a condition in which nerve function is impaired. It is associated with a lack of vitamin B12.It can cause you to have decreased sensation, diminished reflexes, and muscle weakness. Very early neuropathy might not cause these changes, but anelectromyography (EMG)or nerve conduction study (NCV) can often detect early stages of neuropathy that have not yet caused signs or symptoms.
Best At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests
Blood Tests
Blood tests can show signs of vitamin deficiency and can be used to measure your vitamin levels.A complete blood count is the most common screening test. A low red blood cell count or a pattern of enlarged red blood cells (megaloblastic anemia) is a common sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.
What the Size of Your Red Blood Cells Says About Your Health
In some instances, your vitamin levels may be measured with a blood test. Vitamins that can be measured with a blood test include folate (vitamin B9), vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
Interventional Tests
If there is a concern that you could have a digestive problem causing vitamin malabsorption, your healthcare provider may order a test to examine the internal appearance of your stomach or intestines.
Anendoscopyis used to examine the appearance of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine using a camera that is inserted down your throat. Acolonoscopyis used to examine the internal appearance of your large intestine using a camera that is inserted into the rectum.
These tests can be uncomfortable, so they are done with an anesthetic medication. Your healthcare provider can identify problems such as Crohn’s disease and some types of malabsorptive syndromes with these interventional examinations.
Treatment of Vitamin Deficiency
Treatment for vitamin deficiency involves vitamin replacement. If a medical condition is the cause of your vitamin deficiency, then treatment of that condition is necessary as well.
Dietary Changes
In many instances, even if a medical condition is contributing to your vitamin deficiency, long term dietary changes can help correct and prevent the deficiency from worsening. You can learn which foods contain the vitamins you need so that you can pay attention to getting an adequate amount of these vitamins.
You may benefit from meeting with a dietitian, who can help you identify which foods you could consider including in your diet. You may also need help with creating a healthy meal plan.
Vitamin Replacement
There are several ways to make sure that you get adequate vitamins. Vitamin supplements can be an option. You may be given a recommendation for an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription supplement. Sometimes when there is a problem with absorption, supplements such as vitamin B12 need to be injected instead of taken orally.
Nutritional supplements aren’t safe for everyone. They may have side effects, negative effects on medical conditions, dangerous interactions with medications, or unwanted effects during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always talk to your healthcare provider about a supplement before you start taking it.
The Truth About Vitamin Patches: Why They May Not Work as Expected
Medical Management
If you have a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, you will benefit from getting treated for that condition.There are a number of medical and surgical treatments for gastrointestinal conditions.
Some illnesses, such as liver failure, may not be treatable at late stages. Long-term injected vitamin supplementation may be necessary.
A Word From VerywellA healthy and varied diet is an important part of good health. Generally speaking, supplements are no substitute for good nutrition. Be sure to discuss any supplement use with your healthcare provider—they can help counsel you on appropriate use and dosage.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A healthy and varied diet is an important part of good health. Generally speaking, supplements are no substitute for good nutrition. Be sure to discuss any supplement use with your healthcare provider—they can help counsel you on appropriate use and dosage.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A healthy and varied diet is an important part of good health. Generally speaking, supplements are no substitute for good nutrition. Be sure to discuss any supplement use with your healthcare provider—they can help counsel you on appropriate use and dosage.
—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
35 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamins.Nowak A, Boesch L, Andres E, et al.Effect of vitamin D3 on self-perceived fatigue: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial[published correction appears in Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan 20;96(3):e6038].Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(52):e5353. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005353Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. Published 2020 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu12010228National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Folate-deficiency anemia.VanBuren CA, Everts HB.Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update.Nutrients. 2022;14(14):2952. Published 2022 Jul 19. doi:10.3390/nu14142952Rembe JD, Fromm-Dornieden C, Stuermer EK.Effects of vitamin B complex and vitamin C on human skin cells: is the perceived effect measurable?Adv Skin Wound Care.2018;31(5):225-233. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000531351.85866.d9Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Umar M, Sastry KS, Al Ali F, Al-Khulaifi M, Wang E, Chouchane A.I.Vitamin D and the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;31(2):74-86. doi:10.1159/000485132Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center.Vitamin A and skin health.Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V.The effects of vitamin B in depression.Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(38):4317-4337. doi:10.2174/0929867323666160920110810Pullar JM, Carr AC, Bozonet SM, Vissers MCM.High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students.Antioxidants(Basel). 2018;7(7). doi:10.3390/antiox7070091Xie F, Huang T, Lou D, et al. Effect of vitaminD supplementation on the incidence and prognosis of depression: An updated meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.Front Public Health. 2022;10:903547. Published 2022 Aug 1. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.903547Galimberti F, Mesinkovska NA.Skin findings associated with nutritional deficiencies.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(10):731-739. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15061Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: Late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083Harvard University Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin K.Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: An overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(5):1119. Published 2019 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/ijms20051119Pazyar N, Houshmand G, Yaghoobi R, Hemmati AA, Zeineli Z, Ghorbanzadeh B.Wound healing effects of topical Vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial.Indian J Pharmacol. 2019;51(2):88-92. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_183_18Katona P, Katona-Apte J.The interaction between nutrition and infection.Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(10):1582-1588. doi:10.1086/587658Oz HS.Nutrients, infectious and inflammatory diseases.Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1085. Published 2017 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu9101085Burt LA, Billington EO, Rose MS, Raymond DA, Hanley DA, Boyd SK.Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on volumetric bone density and bone strength: A randomized clinical trial[published correction appears in JAMA. 2019 Nov 19;322(19):1925].JAMA. 2019;322(8):736-745. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.11889Meyer HE, Willett WC, Fung TT, Holvik K, Feskanich D.Association of high intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 from food and supplements with risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study.JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e193591. Published 2019 May 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3591Yee MMF, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Wong SK.Vitamin A and bone health: A review on current evidence.Molecules. 2021;26(6):1757. Published 2021 Mar 21. doi:10.3390/molecules26061757Scripps Health.What causes dry white patches on skin?Kannan R, Ng MJ.Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency: an often-forgotten link.Can Fam Physician. 2008;54(4):529-532.Aroni K, Anagnostopoulou K, Tsagroni E, Ioannidis E.Skin hyperpigmentation and increased angiogenesis secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency in a young vegetarian woman.Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(2):191-192. doi:10.2340/00015555-0377Podiatry Today.When vitamin and nutritional deficiencies cause skin and nail changes.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pellagra.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.Vici G, Belli L, Biondi M, Polzonetti V.Gluten free diet and nutrient deficiencies: A review.Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1236-1241. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.05.002Wacker M, Holick MF.Sunlight and vitamin D: A global perspective for health.Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(1):51-108. doi:10.4161/derm.24494Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Vitamin and mineral supplementation.Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin B test.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorder.Malabsorption.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin D deficiency.Additional ReadingDiab L, Krebs NF.Vitamin excess and deficiency.Pediatr Rev. 2018 Apr;39(4):161-179. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0068Thomas-Valdés S, Tostes MDGV, Anunciação PC, da Silva BP, Sant’Ana HMP.Association between vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders related to obesity.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Oct 13;57(15):3332-3343. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1117413
35 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamins.Nowak A, Boesch L, Andres E, et al.Effect of vitamin D3 on self-perceived fatigue: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial[published correction appears in Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan 20;96(3):e6038].Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(52):e5353. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005353Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. Published 2020 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu12010228National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Folate-deficiency anemia.VanBuren CA, Everts HB.Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update.Nutrients. 2022;14(14):2952. Published 2022 Jul 19. doi:10.3390/nu14142952Rembe JD, Fromm-Dornieden C, Stuermer EK.Effects of vitamin B complex and vitamin C on human skin cells: is the perceived effect measurable?Adv Skin Wound Care.2018;31(5):225-233. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000531351.85866.d9Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Umar M, Sastry KS, Al Ali F, Al-Khulaifi M, Wang E, Chouchane A.I.Vitamin D and the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;31(2):74-86. doi:10.1159/000485132Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center.Vitamin A and skin health.Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V.The effects of vitamin B in depression.Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(38):4317-4337. doi:10.2174/0929867323666160920110810Pullar JM, Carr AC, Bozonet SM, Vissers MCM.High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students.Antioxidants(Basel). 2018;7(7). doi:10.3390/antiox7070091Xie F, Huang T, Lou D, et al. Effect of vitaminD supplementation on the incidence and prognosis of depression: An updated meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.Front Public Health. 2022;10:903547. Published 2022 Aug 1. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.903547Galimberti F, Mesinkovska NA.Skin findings associated with nutritional deficiencies.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(10):731-739. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15061Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: Late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083Harvard University Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin K.Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: An overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(5):1119. Published 2019 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/ijms20051119Pazyar N, Houshmand G, Yaghoobi R, Hemmati AA, Zeineli Z, Ghorbanzadeh B.Wound healing effects of topical Vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial.Indian J Pharmacol. 2019;51(2):88-92. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_183_18Katona P, Katona-Apte J.The interaction between nutrition and infection.Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(10):1582-1588. doi:10.1086/587658Oz HS.Nutrients, infectious and inflammatory diseases.Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1085. Published 2017 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu9101085Burt LA, Billington EO, Rose MS, Raymond DA, Hanley DA, Boyd SK.Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on volumetric bone density and bone strength: A randomized clinical trial[published correction appears in JAMA. 2019 Nov 19;322(19):1925].JAMA. 2019;322(8):736-745. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.11889Meyer HE, Willett WC, Fung TT, Holvik K, Feskanich D.Association of high intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 from food and supplements with risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study.JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e193591. Published 2019 May 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3591Yee MMF, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Wong SK.Vitamin A and bone health: A review on current evidence.Molecules. 2021;26(6):1757. Published 2021 Mar 21. doi:10.3390/molecules26061757Scripps Health.What causes dry white patches on skin?Kannan R, Ng MJ.Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency: an often-forgotten link.Can Fam Physician. 2008;54(4):529-532.Aroni K, Anagnostopoulou K, Tsagroni E, Ioannidis E.Skin hyperpigmentation and increased angiogenesis secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency in a young vegetarian woman.Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(2):191-192. doi:10.2340/00015555-0377Podiatry Today.When vitamin and nutritional deficiencies cause skin and nail changes.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pellagra.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.Vici G, Belli L, Biondi M, Polzonetti V.Gluten free diet and nutrient deficiencies: A review.Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1236-1241. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.05.002Wacker M, Holick MF.Sunlight and vitamin D: A global perspective for health.Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(1):51-108. doi:10.4161/derm.24494Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Vitamin and mineral supplementation.Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin B test.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorder.Malabsorption.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin D deficiency.Additional ReadingDiab L, Krebs NF.Vitamin excess and deficiency.Pediatr Rev. 2018 Apr;39(4):161-179. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0068Thomas-Valdés S, Tostes MDGV, Anunciação PC, da Silva BP, Sant’Ana HMP.Association between vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders related to obesity.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Oct 13;57(15):3332-3343. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1117413
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamins.Nowak A, Boesch L, Andres E, et al.Effect of vitamin D3 on self-perceived fatigue: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial[published correction appears in Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan 20;96(3):e6038].Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(52):e5353. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005353Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. Published 2020 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu12010228National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Folate-deficiency anemia.VanBuren CA, Everts HB.Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update.Nutrients. 2022;14(14):2952. Published 2022 Jul 19. doi:10.3390/nu14142952Rembe JD, Fromm-Dornieden C, Stuermer EK.Effects of vitamin B complex and vitamin C on human skin cells: is the perceived effect measurable?Adv Skin Wound Care.2018;31(5):225-233. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000531351.85866.d9Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Umar M, Sastry KS, Al Ali F, Al-Khulaifi M, Wang E, Chouchane A.I.Vitamin D and the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;31(2):74-86. doi:10.1159/000485132Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center.Vitamin A and skin health.Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V.The effects of vitamin B in depression.Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(38):4317-4337. doi:10.2174/0929867323666160920110810Pullar JM, Carr AC, Bozonet SM, Vissers MCM.High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students.Antioxidants(Basel). 2018;7(7). doi:10.3390/antiox7070091Xie F, Huang T, Lou D, et al. Effect of vitaminD supplementation on the incidence and prognosis of depression: An updated meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.Front Public Health. 2022;10:903547. Published 2022 Aug 1. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.903547Galimberti F, Mesinkovska NA.Skin findings associated with nutritional deficiencies.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(10):731-739. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15061Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: Late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083Harvard University Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin K.Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: An overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(5):1119. Published 2019 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/ijms20051119Pazyar N, Houshmand G, Yaghoobi R, Hemmati AA, Zeineli Z, Ghorbanzadeh B.Wound healing effects of topical Vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial.Indian J Pharmacol. 2019;51(2):88-92. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_183_18Katona P, Katona-Apte J.The interaction between nutrition and infection.Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(10):1582-1588. doi:10.1086/587658Oz HS.Nutrients, infectious and inflammatory diseases.Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1085. Published 2017 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu9101085Burt LA, Billington EO, Rose MS, Raymond DA, Hanley DA, Boyd SK.Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on volumetric bone density and bone strength: A randomized clinical trial[published correction appears in JAMA. 2019 Nov 19;322(19):1925].JAMA. 2019;322(8):736-745. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.11889Meyer HE, Willett WC, Fung TT, Holvik K, Feskanich D.Association of high intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 from food and supplements with risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study.JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e193591. Published 2019 May 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3591Yee MMF, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Wong SK.Vitamin A and bone health: A review on current evidence.Molecules. 2021;26(6):1757. Published 2021 Mar 21. doi:10.3390/molecules26061757Scripps Health.What causes dry white patches on skin?Kannan R, Ng MJ.Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency: an often-forgotten link.Can Fam Physician. 2008;54(4):529-532.Aroni K, Anagnostopoulou K, Tsagroni E, Ioannidis E.Skin hyperpigmentation and increased angiogenesis secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency in a young vegetarian woman.Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(2):191-192. doi:10.2340/00015555-0377Podiatry Today.When vitamin and nutritional deficiencies cause skin and nail changes.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pellagra.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.Vici G, Belli L, Biondi M, Polzonetti V.Gluten free diet and nutrient deficiencies: A review.Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1236-1241. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.05.002Wacker M, Holick MF.Sunlight and vitamin D: A global perspective for health.Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(1):51-108. doi:10.4161/derm.24494Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Vitamin and mineral supplementation.Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin B test.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorder.Malabsorption.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin D deficiency.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamins.
Nowak A, Boesch L, Andres E, et al.Effect of vitamin D3 on self-perceived fatigue: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial[published correction appears in Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan 20;96(3):e6038].Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(52):e5353. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005353
Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. Published 2020 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu12010228
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Folate-deficiency anemia.
VanBuren CA, Everts HB.Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update.Nutrients. 2022;14(14):2952. Published 2022 Jul 19. doi:10.3390/nu14142952
Rembe JD, Fromm-Dornieden C, Stuermer EK.Effects of vitamin B complex and vitamin C on human skin cells: is the perceived effect measurable?Adv Skin Wound Care.2018;31(5):225-233. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000531351.85866.d9
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
Umar M, Sastry KS, Al Ali F, Al-Khulaifi M, Wang E, Chouchane A.I.Vitamin D and the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;31(2):74-86. doi:10.1159/000485132
Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center.Vitamin A and skin health.
Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V.The effects of vitamin B in depression.Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(38):4317-4337. doi:10.2174/0929867323666160920110810
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Bozonet SM, Vissers MCM.High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students.Antioxidants(Basel). 2018;7(7). doi:10.3390/antiox7070091
Xie F, Huang T, Lou D, et al. Effect of vitaminD supplementation on the incidence and prognosis of depression: An updated meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.Front Public Health. 2022;10:903547. Published 2022 Aug 1. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.903547
Galimberti F, Mesinkovska NA.Skin findings associated with nutritional deficiencies.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(10):731-739. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15061
Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: Late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083
Harvard University Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin K.
Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: An overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(5):1119. Published 2019 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/ijms20051119
Pazyar N, Houshmand G, Yaghoobi R, Hemmati AA, Zeineli Z, Ghorbanzadeh B.Wound healing effects of topical Vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial.Indian J Pharmacol. 2019;51(2):88-92. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_183_18
Katona P, Katona-Apte J.The interaction between nutrition and infection.Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(10):1582-1588. doi:10.1086/587658
Oz HS.Nutrients, infectious and inflammatory diseases.Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1085. Published 2017 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu9101085
Burt LA, Billington EO, Rose MS, Raymond DA, Hanley DA, Boyd SK.Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on volumetric bone density and bone strength: A randomized clinical trial[published correction appears in JAMA. 2019 Nov 19;322(19):1925].JAMA. 2019;322(8):736-745. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.11889
Meyer HE, Willett WC, Fung TT, Holvik K, Feskanich D.Association of high intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 from food and supplements with risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study.JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e193591. Published 2019 May 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3591
Yee MMF, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Wong SK.Vitamin A and bone health: A review on current evidence.Molecules. 2021;26(6):1757. Published 2021 Mar 21. doi:10.3390/molecules26061757
Scripps Health.What causes dry white patches on skin?
Kannan R, Ng MJ.Cutaneous lesions and vitamin B12 deficiency: an often-forgotten link.Can Fam Physician. 2008;54(4):529-532.
Aroni K, Anagnostopoulou K, Tsagroni E, Ioannidis E.Skin hyperpigmentation and increased angiogenesis secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency in a young vegetarian woman.Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(2):191-192. doi:10.2340/00015555-0377
Podiatry Today.When vitamin and nutritional deficiencies cause skin and nail changes.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pellagra.
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
Vici G, Belli L, Biondi M, Polzonetti V.Gluten free diet and nutrient deficiencies: A review.Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1236-1241. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.05.002
Wacker M, Holick MF.Sunlight and vitamin D: A global perspective for health.Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(1):51-108. doi:10.4161/derm.24494
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin B test.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorder.Malabsorption.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vitamin D deficiency.
Diab L, Krebs NF.Vitamin excess and deficiency.Pediatr Rev. 2018 Apr;39(4):161-179. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0068Thomas-Valdés S, Tostes MDGV, Anunciação PC, da Silva BP, Sant’Ana HMP.Association between vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders related to obesity.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Oct 13;57(15):3332-3343. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1117413
Diab L, Krebs NF.Vitamin excess and deficiency.Pediatr Rev. 2018 Apr;39(4):161-179. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0068
Thomas-Valdés S, Tostes MDGV, Anunciação PC, da Silva BP, Sant’Ana HMP.Association between vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders related to obesity.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Oct 13;57(15):3332-3343. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1117413
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