For years, vitamin researchers and those interested in better nutrition have been aware that a nutritional deficiency could lead to symptoms of lethargy, sleeplessness, irritability, and a general feeling of malaise. The good news is that scientists and clinicians are now beginning to show increasing interest in this information as a public health problem as revealed in "Marginal Vitamin Deficiency: The Gray Area of Nutrition," Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, First Quarter, 1984, Vol. 13, No. 1. Reprinted from Vitamin Issues, Vol. II, No. 2.

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. . . studies found that many people have nutritional deficiencies which do not show up in a routine physical examination. New evidence also tells us that marginal deficiencies are linked to behavioral and physiological changes.

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Marginal vitamin deficiency is a "state of gradual vitamin depletion in which there is evidence of personal lack of well-being associated with impairment of certain biochemical reactions." Within the last 15 years, the US government sponsored a number of studies to determine the "nutritional status" of individuals, using a biochemical analysis based on blood samples. The studies found that many people have nutritional deficiencies which do not show up in a routine physical examination. New evidence also tells us that marginal deficiencies are linked to behavioral and physiological changes.

More and more questions are being asked of nutritional researchers, such as: What are the long-term effects of marginal vitamin deficiencies? Is there a relationship between one’s "nutritional status" and progressive chronic disease? And, is there an optimal diet?

As the medical community becomes more involved in this "gray area" and gives their support to researchers, we hope to see significant advances. More information about this field of investigation will appear in future issues of NOHA NEWS.