Vitamins and minerals are often referred to as micronutrients in that we only require a small amount of them. However, the consequences in its absence from our diets can manifest itself in truly undesirable ways. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies were common in the pre-industrialised world but they may befall unknowing individuals. In this article, we will examine some of the dangers of not taking the required amounts of vitamins and minerals as well as discuss some practical considerations that prevent such a situation from occurring.

The one key difference between vitamins and minerals is that vitamins are organic components that get easily broken by air, acid or heat where as minerals, on the other hand, are inorganic. They stick to their chemical structure. This is important because it means that minerals present in water and soil easily seep into our diets through fish, plants, fluids and animals we naturally consume. But because of the fragility of vitamins, it is more difficult to ensure we meet our daily requirements because the cooking and storage process can very easily inactivate these compounds.

Before our understanding of human biology accelerated during the 1900s, we witnessed the results of vitamin deficiencies manifest itself in all parts of life. Scurvy, often experienced by sailors who experienced months without fresh fruit and vegetables, is a vitamin C deficiency which caused bleeding gums and a tendency towards listlessness. Another serial occurrence, even today still in some developing countries, is blinding due to vitamin A deficiency. While there are real consequences to deficiencies, there are some strong benefits as well. For example, strong bones are the result of healthy amounts of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, and phosphorus. In many countries across the world, mineral fluoride has been put into the water supply in order to help keep dental cavities at bay in the population.

With the availability of vitamin supplements, it can be very easy to pop a couple of supplement pills to top off and ensure you’re getting at least your minimum daily requirements. There is a real danger with this sort of behaviour. Unlike the common misconception, some vitamins (especially water-soluble ones) linger in body for extended periods. For example, let’s say, your liver is rich in years of Vitamin B12 supply at the moment. In fact, even Vitamin C and folic acid last for over 2 days. Just as there is a minimum daily requirement to stave off vitamin deficiency induced ailments, there are some corresponding ailments for overconsumption of certain vitamins e.g. excessive doses vitamin B6 lead to severe nerve damage , resulting to serious muscle weakness and numbness.

Consulting a medical professional should be the first port of call if you are unfamiliar and unsure with whether or not you are getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. At that point, you will be able to explore the different corrective options in terms of changing up your diet perhaps or taking some vitamin supplements. Check Kyani Team Genesis for more information.

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