Vitamin IV

Vitamin A

Diets deficient in both vitamin A and beta-carotene can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness.

Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency:

• Decreased steroid synthesis
• Dry eyes
• Fatigue
• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid production)
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Increased susceptibility to vaginal yeast infections
• Night blindness
• Poor tooth & bone function
• Poor wound healing
• Rough, scaly skin

Causes of Vitamin A deficiency:

• Antibiotics
• Cholesterol-lowering medications
• Diabetes
• Laxatives
• Malabsorption
• Malnutrition
• Medication/products that decrease fat absorption

Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin; Supports vision and sight as well as the immune system in helping prevent infections.

Vitamin D

People who get little exposure to sunlight are most at risk of Vitamin D deficiency.  Fat soluble Vitamin D is not a vitamin, it is a hormone that becomes active with the aid of the sun’s rays.

Adequate amounts of Vitamin D is necessary for preventing bone loss.  It also controls the levels of calcium in the blood, is essential for building strong bones and teeth, and helps strengthen the immune system. Necessary for thyroid function & blood clotting.

Vitamin E

People who are zinc depleted or cannot absorb dietary fat may be at risk of a Vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E deficiency is usually characterized by neurological problems associated with nerve degeneration in hands and feet.

Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage. Vitamin E also contributes to a healthy circulatory system and aids in proper blood clotting and improved wound healing. Some studies have shown that Vitamin E decreases symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and certain types of breast disease.

Vitamin K
(only in IV + K)

Deficiencies of Vitamin K have been linked to: heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, easy bruising, nosebleeds, hematuria (blood in the urine), bleeding gums and osteoporosis.

Vitamin K's benefits may not be widely-known, but it's one of the most important anti-aging therapies. Vitamin K regulates the production and flow of calcium, which makes it a key player in the prevention and treatment of many of the most common and debilitating age-related diseases. Vitamin K is also one of the major regulators of cardiovascular activity and improves blood circulation.

Thiamine (B1)

Thiamin deficiency occurs as a result of many factors, including crash dieting, alcohol abuse, liver dysfunction, kidney dialysis, and those who consume a lot of sweets, soft drinks, and highly processed foods. A lack of sufficient thiamine in a diet can cause loss of appetite, poor digestion, chronic constipation, loss of weight, mental depression, nervous exhaustion, and insomnia.

Symptoms of B1 deficiency:

• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Forgetfulness
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• General weakness
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Mild depression
• Nervousness
• Poor memory
• Racing heart
• Sleep disturbances
• Vision problems

Causes of B1 deficiency:

• Alcohol
• Antibiotics
• Blueberries
• Brussels sprouts
• Coffee
• Diuretics
• Horseradish
• Oral contraceptives
• Pickled foods
• Red beet root
• Seafood such as fish, shrimp, clams, & mussels
• Sugar
• Sulfa drugs
• Sulfites (food additive)
• Theophylline (an asthma medication)
• Tea

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy; Aids the nervous system, and supports nerve health; Helps body adapt to stress and avoid adrenal burnout.

Riboflavin (B2)

Symptoms of Vitamin B2 deficiency:

• Cracking of the lips & corners of the mouth
• Inflamed tongue
• Loss of visual perception & sensitivity to light
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Insomnia
• Poor digestion
• Slowed mental response
• Cataracts burning
• Itching of the eyes, lips, mouth, and tongue

Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, plays an important role in releasing energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is a water-soluble vitamin needed to activate Vitamin A, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), and Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) as well.  Finally, it is also important for red cell production and helps to maintain the integrity of red blood cells, healthy eyes, and nervous system function.

Symptoms of Vitamin B3 deficiency:

• Canker sores
• Depression
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Dermatitis
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Symptoms of B5 deficiency:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Tingling in the hands
• Depression
• Personality changes
• Cardiac instability
• Adrenal exhaustion
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Burning sensation in the feet
• Constipation
• Decreased antibody formation
• Decreased production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
• Duodenal ulcers
• Eczema
• Enlarged, chunky, furrowed tongue
• Gout
• Graying hair
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Intestinal inflammation
• Muscle cramps
• Nerve degeneration
• Restlessness
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Vomiting

Causes of B5 deficiency:

• Caffeine
• Estrogen supplementation
• Sleeping pills

Vitamin B5 helps the body extract energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also helps to metabolize fats and produce red blood cells and hormones from the adrenal gland. It has been shown that Vitamin B5 might be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, and to help lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Pyridoxine (B6)

The skin is one of the first areas to show problems when B6 is deficient. Many skin disorders have been associated with B6 deficiency, and they include eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.

Symptoms of B6 deficiency:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Mental confusion
• Mouth ulcers
• Nervousness
• Numbness
• Skin lesions around the mouth
• Weakness

Causes of B6 deficiency:

• Aminoglycosides
• Amphetamines
• Antidepressants
• Bumetanide
• Cephalosporins
• Chlortetracycline
• Cigarette smoking
• Cortisone
• Demecloycline
• Diethylstilbestrol
• Dopamine
• Doxycycline
• Estrogen supplementation
• Ethacrynic acid
• Excessive exercise
• Fluoroquinolones
• Food additives (i.e., FDC Yellow #5)
• Hydralazine
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Isoniazid
• Macrolides
• Minocycline
• Oral contraceptives
• Oxytetracycline
• Penicillamine
• Penicillins
• Pesticides
• Phenelzine
• Quinestrol
• Raloxifene
• Sulfonamides
• Tetracyclines
• Theophylline
• Torsemide
• Trimethoprim

The processing of carbohydrates (sugars and starches) in the body depends on availability of Vitamin B6. This vitamin is particularly important in facilitating the breakdown of glycogen stored in muscle cells, and to a lesser extent, in the liver.  Further, because of its key role in the formation of new cells, Vitamin B6 is especially important for healthy function of connective tissue that regenerates itself quickly.

Signs of Biotin deficiency include thin hair, brittle nails, balding, a rash located on facial areas as well as depression, loss of appetite, hallucinations, numbness in body extremes, fatigue and lethargy.

Symptoms of B7 deficiency:

• Cradle cap (in newborns)
• Dandruff
• Depression
• Hair loss
• Hallucinations
• Localized numbness & tingling
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Scaly dermatitis

Causes of B7 deficiency:

• Alcohol excess
• Anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, phenobarbital)
• Raw egg whites

Deficiency of Folic Acid results in anemia, characterized by red blood cells that are large in size but few in number.

Symptoms of B9 deficiency:

• Birth defects affecting the neural tube
• Decreased resistance to infection
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Graying hair
• Indigestion
• Inflamed & sore tongue with smooth & shiny appearance
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Mental illness
• Numbness or tingling in hands & feet
• Slow, weakened pulse
• Toxemia
• Weakness
• Wound healing, impaired

Causes of B9 deficiency:

• Alcohol
• Aspirin
• Barbituates
• Birth control pills
• Carbamazepine
• Celecoxib
• Cholestyramine
• Cimetidine
• Colestipol
• Corticosteroids
• Ethosuximide
• Famotidine
• Fosphenytoin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Indomethacin
• Methotrexate
• Methsuximide
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Primidone
• Ranitidine
• Salsalate
• Sulfasalazine
• Tobacco
• Triamterene
• Trimethoprim
• Valproic acid
  
  

Also known as Vitamin B9, Folic Acid helps the body make healthy new cells. Everyone needs folic acid, but it is especially important for women who may get pregnant, as it can prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine. Essential for DNA synthesis and detoxifies hormones.

Cyanocobalamin (B12)

People at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency include strict vegetarians, elderly people, and people with increased Vitamin B12 requirements associated with pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, malignancy, liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency:

• Confusion
• Constipation
• Decreased estrogen in women
• Decreased progesterone in women
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Elevated levels of homocysteine (which can contribute to cardiovascular disease)
• Fatigue
• Hallucinations
• Increased cortisol levels (which can affect metabolism, blood pressure and immune function)
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Moodiness
• Numbness & tingling of extremities
• Poor appetite
• Ringing in ears
• Sore tongue
• Stiffness
• Weakness

Causes of B12 deficiency:

• Antacids
• Colchicines (gout medication)
• Digestive disorders
• Nitrous oxide
• Potassium citrate & chloride
• Some oral hypoglycemic agents (which lower blood sugar)

Vitamin B12 is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins to help maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. It exists in most animal foods, hence vegetarians and vegans should take a B12 supplement.

Vitamin C

Symptoms of a deficiency can include tiredness, muscle weakness, joint and muscle aches, a rash on the legs, fluid retention, depression, anemia and bleeding gums.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals.  Vitamin C also helps build and maintain tissues and strengthens the immune system and can also decrease total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides to help protect against heart disease.

Calcium is the mineral most likely to be deficient in the average diet. A mild insufficiency of calcium over the long term may result in thinning bones, termed osteoporosis or the softening of bony tissue, called osteomalacia.

While the majority of calcium is located in the bones and the teeth, it is also required for blood coagulation, nerve function, production of energy, the beating of the heart, proper immune function and muscle contraction. Additional research suggests that calcium may help to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients.

Magnesium deficiency can affect almost every organ system of the body. One may experience twitches, cramps, muscle tension, muscle soreness, including back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and jaw joint (or TMJ) dysfunction. Other symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness with constant movement, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and premenstrual irritability.

Magnesium is a critical co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body. Magnesium aids in the body’s absorption of calcium and also plays a key role in the strength and formation of bones and teeth. This means that those at risk for osteoporosis can benefit from taking magnesium. Magnesium also is vital for maintaining a healthy heart and also aids in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Magnesium also works to keep muscles properly relaxed and can be especially beneficial to fibromyalgia patients.