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Vitamin deficiency


Vitamins and nutrients are crucial when it comes to maintaining the health of our bodies. Most of the time, we can get the vitamins our bodies need from our diet and the food we eat; however, sometimes, we may experience a deficiency of a specific vitamin/nutrient, or our bodies may have trouble absorbing and processing any we take in. As we get older, for example, the risk of poor absorption of certain vitamins increases.


It’s been in the news recently that Vitamin D was cited as something that could help stave off Covid-19. That doesn’t mean that Vitamin D is a miracle cure, but there have been enough studies done that show the benefits it brings and the boost it gives our immune systems—which could be particularly beneficial during a pandemic. Despite the science presented, there was never any real drive to encourage people to take Vitamin D supplements in the early days of the virus, when it could have done the most good; it’s only now that experts are asking why this was as they make a case for more in-depth research on the subject.


Vitamin D is usually obtained via natural sunlight, though it’s also present in foods such as milk and fortified cereals.


It’s a fine balance, determining how much of something we should take to maintain our health when it may be something we’re lacking, but it’s important that we try. For example, a lack of iron could result in anaemia, which could lead to dizziness, fainting and low blood pressure problems.


Our feet can act as signposts to deficiencies in the body, certainly the lack of Vitamin D. For example, if you’re experiencing pain in the bones of your feet, this could be a sign that you need more of the vitamin—either in your diet or as a supplement. A severe deficiency of Vitamin D could result in bone deformities, such as spurs forming, often in the heel. This could make walking uncomfortable—as any pressure on the spur may result in pain. The good news is that some heel spurs can be treated without surgery; just get in touch with one of our clinics if you feel this could be the problem you’re facing.


Our feet can also highlight a lack of Vitamin B12, another nutrient crucial to our body’s health. B12 assists with the body’s regeneration, by helping to create new red blood cells, and it’s also a vital component in the production of new brain and nerve cells. Found in meat and animal products, it’s readily available, unless you eat a plant-based diet; that said, it’s actually quite common for people to lack this important nutrient.


Because Vitamin B12 is so intrinsic to the healthy function of our nervous systems, those who don’t get enough of it can begin to feel numbness or tingling in their feet. Of course, there could be a number of reasons for such symptoms, but a Vitamin B12 deficiency is something that should be checked out as, left untreated, it could lead to anaemia, disturbed vision, depression, irritability, mouth ulcers, and even a decline in mental ability. It could result in nerve damage, which would bring further mobility challenges.


Given that we’re now in winter, it’s likely that we won’t get as much of the Vitamin D we need from sunlight over the coming months. This may therefore be a good time to look at supplementing your diet or changing what you eat to incorporate more of this vital component.


If you’re experiencing any adversity around, or pain in, your feet, give us a call. You can reach the Morley practice on 0113 238 0330 or Wombwell on 01226 492412.


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