A Doctor is holding a picture that signifies the importance of keeping your vitamin A levels in good measure in order to cure vitamin A deficiency.

A Layman’s Guide to Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency can become a serious health issue, but like many of the vitamin-related deficiencies, it can be treated and effectively managed, if diagnosed early.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient, essential for your physiological functions and overall wellbeing.

It is an important nutrient which helps maintain your vision, skin, bones, teeth and immune system. It also plays a vital role in your cell growth and reproduction.

Vitamin A is particularly necessary for maintaining your eye-health and healthy skin, as well as fighting off your infections. It also helps your bodily organs to work properly including your lung, heart and eyes.

Your body can’t make vitamin A on its own, so it has to get it from your diet.

There are two sources for vitamin A: Preformed vitamin A and Provitamin A carotenoids.

Preformed vitamin A is found in animal and dairy products, fish, eggs, fortified foods and vitamin supplements.

Some provitamin A carotenoids naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products are converted into Vitamin A by your body.

When your dietary consumption of vitamin A is less than adequate or required quantity, you may run the risk of vitamin A deficiency.

According to WHO, vitamin A deficiency is considered a public health problem, especially in developing countries.

One of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. In some cases, it may progress into total blindness by damaging your cornea and retina. Vitamin A deficiency is a primary reason for blindness in children around the world, especially in developing countries.

You may be affected with vitamin A deficiency, if you’re suffering from liver diseases like cirrhosis. Also medical conditions like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease can affect your vitamin A absorption into your body.

Vitamin A deficiency can lower your immunity to fight your infections, affect your pregnancy and lactation or even lead to pregnancy-related death.

The Silent Threat of Vitamin A Deficiency: Understanding Its Meaning

Deficiency of Vitamin A, is a silent but grave nutritional issue, affects millions worldwide. This deficiency occurs when the body lacks adequate levels of vitamin A, an essential nutrient crucial for various bodily functions. The vitamin A deficiency symptoms can range from mild to severe, including night blindness, dry eyes, impaired immunity, and an increased risk of infectious diseases. 

Deficiency of Vitamin A often include inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption disorders, and certain chronic illnesses. Addressing vitamin A deficiency is paramount, as it not only safeguards vision but also bolsters overall health and well-being

The Significant Health Consequences of Deficiency of Vitamin A

Deficiency of vitamin A causes several serious diseases and health issues, primarily affecting the eyes, immune system, and overall health. One of the most notable diseases caused by a deficiency of vitamin A is xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disorder that can result in night blindness, dry eyes, and ultimately, complete blindness if untreated. 

Vitamin A deficiency symptoms includes susceptibility to infectious diseases like measles, diarrhea, and respiratory infections, as it compromises the body’s ability to maintain healthy mucous membranes and immune function. Moreover, this deficiency can contribute to anemia, as vitamin A plays a crucial role in the mobilization of iron reserves. 

In children, severe vitamin A deficiency can impair growth and development, leading to stunting and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Effective treatment and prevention of vitamin A deficiency involve dietary modifications to include more vitamin A-rich foods, such as leafy greens, carrots, and fish, along with vitamin A supplementation in severe cases.

What caused Vitamin A Deficiency?

Deficiency of vitamin A causes several underlying causes. Here are some of the primary factors contributing to this deficiency:

  • Inadequate Dietary Intake
  • Malabsorption Disorders
  • Chronic illnesses
  • Poverty and Food Insecurity
  • Alcoholism

Effective Approaches to Combat Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency treatment requires a multifaceted approach, involving both immediate intervention and long-term strategies.

  • Vitamin A supplementation: High-dose vitamin A supplements, typically in the form of capsules or oral solutions, are provided to individuals with severe deficiency or at risk of developing night blindness.
  • Therapeutic zinc supplements: Zinc plays a crucial role in vitamin A metabolism and transport, so zinc supplementation is often recommended alongside vitamin A supplementation.
  • Dietary Modifications: Incorporating more vitamin A-rich foods into the diet, such as leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fish, can help address and prevent deficiency.
  • Fortified Foods: Consumption of foods fortified with vitamin A, such as milk, margarine, and cereals, can provide an additional source of this essential nutrient, particularly in regions where deficiency is prevalent.
  • Treating underlying conditions: Addressing any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the deficiency, such as malabsorption disorders or chronic illnesses, is crucial for successful treatment.
  • Nutrition education: Raising awareness about the importance of vitamin A, its dietary sources, and the consequences of deficiency can empower individuals and communities to make informed dietary choices.
  • Regular Monitoring and Follow-up: Regular health check-ups and monitoring of vitamin A levels, especially in high-risk groups such as pregnant women, infants, and young children, can help in prevention of vitamin A deficiency.
  • Regular Monitoring and Follow-up: Regular health check-ups and monitoring of vitamin A levels, especially in high-risk groups such as pregnant women, infants, and young children, can help in prevention of vitamin A deficiency.

Are You at Risk of Vitamin A Deficiency

You may be at risk of vitamin A deficiency, if you’re suffering from gastrointestinal diseases that disturb the absorption of vitamin A into your body. These diseases include:


Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can range between moderate and severe depending on people or their underlying medical conditions.

Let’s see some of the symptoms that you may be experiencing:

  • Night blindness (nyctalopia): It’s one of the first symptoms of your vitamin A deficiency. Symptom includes trouble seeing in the dark, but normal unimpaired vision under a good light source. In some cases, it can lead to total blindness by damaging your cornea and retina.
  • Xerophthalmia: It makes your eyes extremely dry, preventing your eyes from producing tears. This may lead to damage of your cornea and retina. Xerophthalmia is a major cause of both avoidable blindness and childhood blindness.
  • Keratomalacia: An eye condition in which ocular changes occur due to severe vitamin A deficiency. It happens as a result of dryness of your corneas.
  • Lower immunity: Vitamin A deficiency can lower your innate immunity, the biological immune system you were born with and expose you to infections frequently.
  • Skin problems: Vitamin A deficiency can cause skin inflammation as a result of itchy, dry skin.
  • Infertility: Symptoms of infertility manifest in the form of a difficulty conceiving a child. This is due to vitamin A deficiency, affecting your reproductive system.
  • Impaired growth and development in children: Vitamin A deficiency can contribute to stunted growth or slow bone growth in children.
  • Bitot spots: It is a condition that leads to the buildup of keratin in your eyes, contributing to your hazy vision.

Diagnosis of Vitamin A Deficiency

Based on your symptoms and medical history, your Doctor will perform the following tests to determine if you have vitamin A deficiency.

  • Vitamin A blood test: It measure the levels of vitamin A in your blood.
  • Electroretinography: This test evaluates the function of your retinal tissue (eye’s light-sensitive cells in your retinas).

Treatment for Vitamin A Deficiency

Your Doctor may begin treating you for vitamin A deficiency by way of putting you on a higher dose vitamin A supplements, until your symptoms disappear.

He may also recommend foods rich in vitamin A for you. Let’s see some of the foods that contain vitamin A in good measure.

  • Yellow and orange vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, squash and red peppers.
  • Orange and yellow fruits such as melons, oranges, mangos, apricots, cantaloupe and papayas.
  • Green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli and turnip greens.
  • Dairy products such as milk and cheddar cheese.
  • Animal sources such as chicken, beef, eggs and liver.
  • Fish such as salmon and shellfish.
  • Foods fortified with vitamin A such as cereals, wheat and soybeans.

Your Recommended Intake of Vitamin A

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for different age groups are:

  • Children 1-3 years – 400 mcg
  • Children 4-6 years – 500 mcg
  • Children 7-10 years – 700 mcg
  • Men older than 10 years – 1000 mcg
  • Women older than 10 years – 800 mcg

Bottomline

Vitamin A deficiency can affect your vision and lower your immunity against infections, apart from skin problems and infertility.

Children, especially those living in developing countries, are prone to vitamin A deficiency.

An early diagnosis and treatment is the key to prevent irreversible or permanent damage to your eyes and increase your immunity against infections.

It is also very important to get this micronutrient in adequate measure to keep your eyes healthy as well as your overall wellbeing.


FAQs

1. Which food is highest in vitamin A? 

The food highest in vitamin A is typically liver, particularly beef liver, which is exceptionally rich in this nutrient.

2. What are 5 food sources of vitamin A? 

Five food sources of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, and dairy products like milk and cheese. These foods are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which the body can convert as needed.

3. What are the 5 major functions of vitamin A? 

The five major functions of vitamin A encompass maintenance of vision, immune system support, cell growth and differentiation, reproduction, and skin health. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, ensuring overall health and well-being.

4. How do I increase my vitamin A levels?

To boost your vitamin A levels, focus on consuming a diverse array of vitamin A-rich foods such as leafy greens, colorful fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, incorporating liver or liver products into your diet in moderation can provide a significant source of vitamin A.


If you have a question related to this blog post, write to us here and we will update this post with a response.

Sources: MSD Manuals, WebMD, Cleveland Clinic, National Library of Medicine, Medical News Today, Healthdirect Australia, Medscape and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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