Category: Vitamin deficiency

Pellagra, from the Italian for 'rough skin', is a nutritional disease that historically plagued populations with limited diets. It is defined as a systemic illness resulting from a severe deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3) or its precursor, tryptophan. While once epidemic, especially in the American South, the disease is now rare in developed countries but persists in regions with food insecurity.

Scurvy develops after at least a month of little to no vitamin C in the diet, and a severe vitamin C deficiency is precisely what triggers scurvy. This debilitating nutritional disease is most often caused by a prolonged lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, the body's primary source of the essential nutrient.

First identified in the 18th century, the disease now known as pellagra was once endemic in parts of Europe and the American South. Pellagra is the name of the disease caused by vitamin B3 deficiency, which is also known as niacin deficiency. Left untreated, it can lead to severe and systemic health problems affecting the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system.

Research indicates that a high percentage of adults experiencing knee pain from conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) also have a vitamin D deficiency. Understanding which vitamin deficiency for knee pain is at play is a crucial step toward effective management and relief.

Approximately 6% of people under 60 and 20% over 60 suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, with many unaware of the issue. Learning to identify the symptoms of cyanocobalamin deficiency is a crucial step toward seeking proper medical care and preventing potential long-term complications.

A significant portion of the population is deficient in at least one key vitamin, making it crucial to understand the recovery process. This guide breaks down how long it takes to recover from vitamin D and B12 deficiency based on your specific situation.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a vitamin B12 deficiency, characterized by serum levels below 200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), affects a significant portion of the adult population. A critical level represents a severe stage of this deficiency that can lead to profound and potentially irreversible health complications.

According to the National Institutes of Health, folate deficiency is a well-documented cause of megaloblastic anemia. This condition can lead to numerous health complications, a topic frequently explored in educational contexts such as Quizlet.

According to a 2016 meta-analysis, folic acid supplementation can lower the risk of stroke and overall cardiovascular disease. This protective effect is particularly relevant in understanding how does folate deficiency affect the heart, primarily through its impact on homocysteine metabolism and red blood cell production.

Historically, scurvy was a major cause of death for sailors on long sea voyages, with an estimated two million dying between the 16th and 18th centuries alone. The underlying cause is a severe deficiency of a specific nutrient. Understanding which type of vitamin deficiency causes scurvy is vital for modern health and nutrition.