Vitamin deficiencies can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, pain and cognitive issues. Deficiencies are common in older adults and are usually easy to remedy with simple dietary and lifestyle changes.
Road signs alert drivers to approaching hazards and necessary changes in their paths. In the same way, seniors can use health issues as signals about underlying problems that need attention.
Here at LifeStream at Glendale, we encourage our residents to look for these signs.
Several factors can lead to you feeling tired or mentally fuzzy. A lack of iron, folate and vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, a condition in which the body isn't producing enough red blood cells. Symptoms can manifest in many ways, such as fatigue, dizziness, forgetfulness and yellowed skin.
Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. For this reason, some iron pills contain a dose of vitamin C to improve their effectiveness. In the case of vitamin B12, the body's ability to absorb it naturally decreases with age, and certain medications, such as antacids, also decrease absorption rates. This makes it necessary to check your levels regularly as a senior.
Magnesium directly affects energy production, and research has shown that a deficiency makes the body work harder and reduces your overall endurance.
Iodine is another key element of energy production. The thyroid gland, which needs iodine to function correctly, controls your metabolism and energy, among other crucial bodily functions.
Because the nutrient is so important, it's added to table salt to ensure the majority of people consume it daily. However, seniors on low-salt diets should be tested for deficiencies and consider adding foods or a multivitamin containing iodine to their diet.
Charlie horses are highly painful and disruptive, especially if they occur during the night when you're trying to sleep. Risk factors for leg cramps include age, certain medications and poor circulation. However, deficiencies in calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12 can also trigger them.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so you need both to avoid calcium deficiencies. It's estimated that 35% of Americans have insufficient vitamin D levels, which can cause muscle pain, bone pain and tingly sensations in the hands and feet.
Vitamin K is another nutrient that regulates calcium levels in the body. Researchers are exploring the potential benefits of using vitamin K to reduce the occurrence of nocturnal leg cramps in older adults.
Monitoring your skin's condition is a good way to spot potential health issues, such as scurvy and slow wound healing. Rashes, unexplained bruising and ulcers on the legs can indicate a severe vitamin C deficiency called scurvy. Often overlooked as a historical health issue, scurvy can affect seniors with diets consisting mainly of meat, canned goods and prepackaged meals.
While vitamin C is perhaps best known for boosting your immune system, it's crucial for helping the body recover quicker after injuries and surgeries. The body uses vitamins C, A and E to build skin cells and protect itself from damage caused by the sun. Zinc, protein and omega-3 fatty acids also improve skin health.
Like the skin, the mouth provides a window into possible nutritional insufficiencies. Certain canker sores and lesions around the mouth may be a sign of iron or B vitamin deficiencies. Although most mouth ulcers are quick to heal, frequently reoccurring ones should raise a warning flag.
A lack of iron, zinc, vitamin D and the vitamin B family has been linked to an extremely painful condition called burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms of this oral issue include dry mouth, changes in taste and, most prominently, a scalding sensation on the tongue and throughout the mouth.
Bleeding gums may be diagnosed as a dental hygiene issue. However, they can also signal low vitamin C levels. The human body can't produce or store this water-soluble nutrient, so it has to be consumed daily. To ensure you get enough, try to include orange juice and fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals.
When your favorite produce is out of season, switch to bags of frozen goods. You can toss peas and spinach in soups and omelets for a pop of color and vitamin C. Additionally, frozen strawberries and blueberries are great for whipping up a refreshing smoothie or sweet snack in your Glendale, AZ, apartment.
Because many vitamin deficiencies and serious health issues share similar symptoms, it's crucial to work with your doctor to test for the root cause of your concerns.
Our residents can take advantage of our transportation services to make it easy to visit their medical providers. Your doctor and nutritionist can evaluate your diet, lifestyle and symptoms and potentially order a comprehensive vitamin and nutrition deficiency panel.
This extensive test can help you and your caregivers spot gaps in your diet and lifestyle. Once you know your nutritional levels, you can work together to remedy any problems and keep you feeling your best.
