6 sneaky signs of a vitamin deficiency

Your mother always told you to eat your vegetables and take your vitamins and with good reason.

Even in first world countries, like the U.S. where most people have access to high-quality nutrition, vitamin deficiencies may be more common than you would ever think.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC, vitamin C deficiency affects six percent of the U.S. population, while low levels of vitamin D compromise the health of another 8.1 percent. And, when it comes to B6, 10.5 percent of people are deficient.

And, guess what…

That’s only the CDC’s estimates.

Many health experts believe that while the number of people who are deficient might reflect those numbers, the percentage of Americans whose numbers are truly optimal is even more dismal.

For example, while the Vitamin D Council says that blood levels of the vitamin below 20 ng/mL constitute a deficiency, it actually states that the ideal level between 40 and 80 ng/mL – double to quadruple the number at which you would be diagnosed as deficient.

So, how do you know if you’re getting enough of the essential nutrients?

Well, besides having your blood work done at your doctor’s office on a yearly basis, you should also pay attention to these six often sneaky signs of vitamin deficiency.