The main causes of vitamin deficiencies

The main causes of vitamin deficiencies are:

• An unbalanced diet (sandwiches, fast-food ...), restrictive diets (hypocaloric, vegetarian ...) do not allow to bring to the body all the vitamins that it needs.

• The consumption of alcohol decreases the absorption of vitamins, especially those of group B.

• Smoking increases the need for vitamins, especially vitamin C, whose degradation is accelerated by nicotine derivatives.

• The use of birth control pills increases the need for vitamin B9.

• Pregnancy increases the need for vitamins, micronutrients essential for the pregnant woman but also for the good development of the fetus.

• Breastfeeding also increases the need for vitamins because some of the mother's vitamins are passed on to the baby via breast milk.

• Insufficient sunshine: people living in sunny regions (30% of French people living in northern France are concerned) and the elderly people who leave very little often have vitamin D deficiencies.

• Pollution: the need for vitamins, especially vitamin A, is increased by environmental pollution.

Source: Lescuyer Laboratory