How do you know whether you are getting the right vitamins, and the right amount?
Overview
What are vitamins?
Nutrients that help keep your body healthy.
Which vitamins?
This test checks levels of the following: Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
Are all vitamins the same?
No. Each vitamin performs certain tasks (e.g. helping your body break down food, building bone or muscle, or aiding vision or memory) although there is some overlap.
How do I know if I have a vitamin deficiency?
A simple blood test is all you need. Book yours now.
Did You Know?
It is not just vitamin deficiencies that can cause health problems. Having too much of some vitamins can also be harmful.
What do vitamins do?
Vitamins are the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. By eating a balanced diet, you should get the right balance of vitamins for your body, but if your diet is lacking in certain types of foods (either because you do not like them or because you are allergic/intolerant to them) you may not be taking in all the vitamins you need at the right amount.
Whilst you may feel symptoms of vitamin deficiency, without testing it can be impossible to know what your actual vitamin levels are, and therefore impossible to know what supplements or dietary changes you need to make to improve the situation.
Vitamin types and symptoms of deficiency
This test checks levels of the following vitamins:
Vitamin A
- What it does: Boosts the immune system, keeps skin healthy, aids low-light vision
- Where can I get it? Dairy (milk, eggs, yoghurt, cheese, low fat spreads), liver, pate. As your body can also convert beta carotene into vitamin A, you can also find it in the foods mentioned below.
- How do I know if I am deficient? Deterioration in vision, especially at night, is often the first noticeable symptom.
Beta Carotene
- What is it? A pigment the body converts into vitamin A.
- Where can I get it? Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.
- How do I know if I am deficient? See vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin B1 (also known as thiamin)
- What it does: Supports the nervous system. Helps your body break down food and release energy from it.
- Where can I get it? Wholegrain foods, eggs, fruit (fresh or dried), liver, peas, legumes (lentils, nuts, seeds etc).
- How do I know if I am deficient? Headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea. Can lead to beriberi.
Vitamin B2 (also known as riboflavin)
- What it does: Helps the body release energy from food. Keeps eyes, skin and the nervous system in good health.
- Where can I get it? Rice, milk, eggs.
- How do I know if I am deficient? Swollen tongue and/or throat, cracked skin, anaemia, dermatitis.
Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine)
- What it does: Helps red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Enables the body to store and use proteins and carbohydrates in food.
- Where can I get it? Fish, poultry, rice, eggs, bread, vegetables, potatoes.
- How do I know if I am deficient? Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression.
Vitamin C
- What it does: Helps wounds to heal faster. Keeps blood vessels and bones healthy. Keeps cells and skin healthy. May boost the immune system.
- Where can I get it? Citrus fruits and fruit juices, tomatoes, sprouts, spinach, broccoli, strawberries.
- How do I know if Iam deficient? Bleeding gums, split hair, rough, dry skin, prone to illness and infection. In severe cases, can lead to scurvy.
Vitamin E
- What it does: Boosts the immune system, helps maintain healthy eyes and skin.
- Where can I get it? Nuts, seeds and cereals, plant oils (e.g. olive or sunflower oil).
- How do I know if I am deficient? Muscle weakness, vision issues, prone to illness.
Treatment
Changing your diet to increase/decrease your vitamin levels to their ideal position is the simplest method of addressing vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes, however, allergies, intolerances or other conditions may prevent you doing this and you simply may not be able to get all the vitamins you need from your diet. In such instances taking vitamin supplements can help. Seek advice from your GP before beginning any course of supplements, as too many vitamins can also be harmful. How do I get tested?
Better2Know’s essential vitamins testing can give you clarity over your vitamin levels, with a simple blood test that will help you understand which vitamins to increase or decrease.
To get tested and find out what is causing your ill health, please contact Better2Know on the number above.