Direct

 As well as the major nutrients, we all need a small amount of various vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals help chemical and biological reactions to take place within the body. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can lead to illness - scurvy in the case of lack of vitamin C and rickets in lack of vitamin D, although these deficiency illnesses are now rare in the UK. Vitamins and minerals also help to support the immune system and guard against illness in the long term.

Below is a list of vitamins and minerals and the ailments that an absence of these may cause:

Vitamin A
Mouth Ulcers, Poor Night Vision, Frequent Colds or Infections, Dry Flaky Skin, Dandruff, Thrush or Cystitis, Diarrhoea
Vitamin D
Rheumatism or Arthritis, Backache, Tooth Decay, Hair Loss, Excessive Sweating, Muscle Cramps or Spasms, Joint Pain or Stiffness, Lack of Energy
Vitamin E
Lack of Sex Drive, Exhaustion after Exercise, Easy Bruising, Slow Wound Healing, Varicose Veins, Loss of Muscle Tone, Infertility
Vitamin C
Frequent Colds, Lack of Energy, Frequent Infections, Bleeding or Tender Gums, Easy Bruising, Nose Bleeds, Slow Wound Healing, Red Pimples on Skin
Vitamin B1
Tender Muscles, Eye Pain, Irritability, Poor Concentration, Prickly Legs, Poor Memory, Stomach Pains, Constipation, Tingling Hands, Rapid Heart Beat
Vitamin B2
Burning or Gritty Eyes, Sensitive to Bright Lights, Sore Tongue, Cataracts, Dull or Oily Hair, Eczema or Dermatitis, Split Nails, Cracked Lips
Vitamin B3
Lack of Energy, Diarrhoea, Insomnia, Headaches or Migraines, Poor Memory, Anxiety or Tension, Depression, Irritability, Bleeding or Tender Gums, Acne
Vitamin B5
Muscle Tremors or Cramps, Apathy, Poor Concentration, Burning feet or tender heels, Nausea or Vomiting, Lack of Energy, Exhaustion after Exercise, Anxiety or Tension, Teeth Grinding
Vitamin B6
Infrequent Dream Recall, Water Retention, Tingling Hands, Depression or Nervousness, Irritability, Muscle Tremors or Cramps, Lack of Energy, Flaky Skin
Vitamin B12
Poor Hair Conditions, Eczema or Dermatitis, Sensitive to Hot or Cold Food, Irritability, Anxiety or Tension, Lack of Energy, Constipation, Tender or Sore Muscles, Pale Skin
Folic acid
Eczema, Cracked Lips, Prematurely Greying Hair, Anxiety or Tension, Poor Memory, Lack of Energy, Poor Appetite, Stomach Pains, Depression
Biotin
Dry Skin, Poor Hair Conditions, Premature Greying of Hair, Tender or Sore Muscles, Poor Appetite or Nausea, Eczema or Dermatitis
Galacymic acid
Dry Rough Skin, Dry Eyes, Frequent Infections, Poor Memory, Loss of Hair or Dandruff
Essential fatty acids
Excessive Thirst, Poor Wound Healing, PMS or Breast Pain, Infertility
Calcium
Muscle Cramps or Tremors, Insomnia or Nervousness, Joint Pain or Arthritis, Tooth Decay, High Blood Pressure
Magnesium
Muscle Tremors or Spasms, Muscle Weakness, Insomnia or Nervousness, High Blood Pressure, Irregular Heart Beat, Constipation, Fits or Convulsions, Hyperactivity, Depression
Iron
Pale Skin, Sore Tongue, Fatigue or Listlessness, Loss of Appetite or Nausea, Heavy Periods or Blood Loss
Zinc
Poor Sense of Smell, White Marks on 2+ Fingernails, Stretch Marks, Acne or Greasy Skin, Low Fertility, Tendency to Depression, Poor Appetite, Muscle Twitches, Childhood Growing Pains, Dizziness or Poor Balance, Fits or Convulsions, Sore Knees
Manganese
Family History of Cancer, Signs of Premature Ageing, Cataracts, High Blood Pressure, Frequent Infections
Cromium
Excessive or Cold Sweats, Dizziness or Irritability After 6, Hours without Food, Need for Frequent Meals, Cold Hands, Need for Excessive Sleep or
Drowsiness during the Day, Cravings for Sweet Foods