Vitamin Deficiencies in Eating Disorders


Vitamins are a group of organic substances occurring naturally in animals and plants in small quantities an which are essential to the normal growth and functioning of the body. Each vitamin serves a distinct function in the body and thus cannot be substituted for by another vitamin, and all vitamins require the presence of minerals before they can be effectively utilized in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for future use. Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored and must be replaced on a daily basis. Vitamin deficiencies in eating disorders may cause or aggravate a wide variety of problems and diseases.

click on each vitamin below to learn more about vitamin function as well as signs and symptoms of deficiencies.

Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin B₁
Vitamin B₂ (riboflavin)
Vitamin B₆
Vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin)
Biotin (also called Vitamin H)
Folic Acid (Folacin)
Niacin (nicotinic acid)
Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin D