Vitamins are essential to your overall health and wellbeing, so it makes sense that having a vitamin deficiency can negatively affect you. Not getting enough of certain vitamins can actually interfere with your metabolism. Check out four vitamins that can slow down your metabolism if your intake is too low.
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You need a healthy dose of vitamin D to help absorb calcium and keep your bones nice and strong. But, it's estimated that only 4 percent of the population gets enough vitamin D, and a lack of this vitamin can slow your metabolism. A study published by the American Journal of Clincal Nutrition found that overweight and obese participants who took vitamin D supplements lost more fat than the control group. According to Women's Health, eating foods with vitamin D can boost your metabolism and help your body lose fat. Stock up on foods like eggs, yogurt, and salmon.
B vitamins help your body break down carbs, fats, and proteins, according to the San Fransisco Gate. So, a lack of any one of these vitamins can interfere with your metabolism and pack on pounds. Vitamin B-12 specifically helps metabolize your food and convert it to energy, according to Live Strong. A lack of vtiamin B can make you feel sluggish, so make sure you eat enough seafood, breakfast cereal, and meat.
Vitamin C also plays a crucial role in maintaining your metabolism, so a lack of it can have less then desirable effects. A study from University of Colorado at Boulder found that vitamin C can boost metabolism in adults and help trigger weight loss. Oranges, anyone?
Lack of magnesium can also slow down your metabolism. This supplement plays a major role in your body, helping with metabolic function and over 300 enzyme reactions, according to Health Line. Researchers have found that giving magnesium supplements to people considered "metabolically obese, normal weight" contributed to lower blood pressure and an improved metabolism.