Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, important for many
bodily functions. For example, it is vital to maintain healthy vision, strong
immune system, and good skin appearance.
There are two
types of vitamin A that are available in food; the retinol and provitamin .
Retinol is commonly found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. On the other
hand, provitamin A is obtained by the body when it converts it through the
carotenoids of plant foods such as red, green and yellow fruits and vegetables.
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Although vitamin
A deficiency is rare in developed countries, many people in developing
countries do not get enough of it. The population at highest risk includes
pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children. Therefore, know 6 signs of vitamin A deficiency in
order to prevent it and preserve your health for a long time.
6
signs of lack of vitamin A
1. Dry skin
Vitamin A is important for the creation and repair of
skin cells. It also helps fight inflammation due to certain skin problems. Not
getting enough may be the cause of the development of eczema and other
conditions.
Eczema is a condition that causes dry, itchy skin and
inflammation. Several clinical studies have shown that vitamin A supplement is effective in treating eczema . In a 12-week
study, people with chronic eczema who took 10-40 mg of vitamin A per day
experienced a 53% reduction in their symptoms.
Keep in mind that dry skin can have many causes, but chronic vitamin A deficiency may be the
main reason.
2. Dry eyes
The eye problems are the best known related to vitamin
A deficiency. In extreme cases, not getting enough vitamins A can lead to
complete blindness.
Having the inability to produce tears, is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.
Young children in India and Africa who have diets lacking this vitamin have a
higher risk of developing dry eyes. Prostadine
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One study found that high doses of vitamin A decreased
the prevalence of dry eyes by 63% in infants and children who took vitamin A
supplements for 16 months.
3. Night blindness
The severe lack
of vitamin A can cause night blindness. Several studies have reported a
high prevalence of night blindness in developing nations. Due to the scope of
this problem, health professionals have worked to improve vitamin A levels in
people at risk of this condition.
In one study, women with night blindness received
vitamin A in the form of food or supplements. Both forms of vitamin A improved
the condition. As a result, women's ability to adapt to darkness increased by
50% during the 6 weeks of treatment. Prostadine
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4. Difficulty
conceiving
Vitamin A is necessary for reproduction in men and
women, as well as for the proper development of babies.
The deficiency
of vitamin A can cause infertility
in both men and women. Studies show that female rats with little vitamin A have
difficulty becoming pregnant and may have embryos with birth defects.
Other research suggests that infertile men may have a
greater need for antioxidants due to the high levels of oxidative stress in
their bodies. The lack of this vitamin is also related to spontaneous
abortions. In turn, a study that analyzed blood levels of different nutrients
in women who had recurrent miscarriages found that they had low vitamin A
levels.
5. Delay in growth
Children who do not consume enough vitamin A may
experience growth retardation. This is because this vitamin is necessary for
the proper development of the human body.
Several studies have shown that vitamin A supplements,
alone or with other nutrients, can improve growth. The majority of these
studies were conducted in children from developing countries. In fact, a study
in more than 1,000 children in Indonesia found that those with a lack of
vitamin A who took high doses of supplements for 4 months grew more.
However, a review of studies found that supplementing
with vitamin A in combination with other nutrients may have a greater impact on
growth than supplementing only with vitamin A. Prostadine
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6. Respiratory tract
infection
Frequent infections, especially in the throat or
chest, can be a sign of vitamin A deficiency. Supplements of this vitamin can
help with respiratory tract infections.
An investigation in children in Ecuador showed that
those with low weight who took enough vitamin A per week had less respiratory
infections. On the other hand, a review of studies in children found that
vitamin A supplements can increase the risk of developing throat and chest
infections by 8%. Therefore, the authors suggested that supplements should only
be given to people with a true deficiency.
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