Why vitamin A?
When it comes to staying healthy and making sure our bodies function optimally, vitamin A is very important. Vitamin A helps us with vision, the immune system, reproduction and metabolism, as well as the function of the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. But that's not all: vitamin A also has antioxidant properties that can protect cells from free radical damage.
Vitamin A is found in many different foods, such as salmon, spinach and other leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, egg yolks, organ meats, beef liver, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes and apricots. In addition, some breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin A.
Adult women should consume about 700 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A daily, while the recommendation for men is closer to 900 micrograms (mcg) per day. Vitamin A deficiency is predominantly high in developing countries. People with problems digesting fat-soluble vitamins may be at higher risk for vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A Preparations
Are you unsure whether you need to take vitamin A supplements? A sufficient amount of vitamin A can be taken in through food alone. However, since vitammin A should not be overdosed, taking supplements is not recommended. Too much vitamin A can be harmful, but some people may need vitamin A supplements. However, people suffering from malnutrition, who have pancreatic disease, inflammatory disease or measles are likely to benefit from vitamin A supplementation.
If you take too much vitamin A in the form of supplements, you may experience nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and dizziness. In the long term, taking too much vitamin A can lead to symptoms such as skin irritation, joint and bone pain, birth defects, bone thinning, liver damage and more.
If you are concerned that you may have a vitamin A deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test to determine your retinol or beta-carotene levels. The body regulates vitamin A levels because this nutrient is stored in the liver. When the liver is depleted, the vitamin A level is low.
Although vitamin A deficiency is quite rare, here are some symptoms that might indicate that you are not consuming enough of it.
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms
1 Dry eyes
Dry eyes can be one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency. Our eyes are covered with a layer of fluid called the tear film, which protects and lubricates the eyes while keeping the surface of the eye clear.
A healthy and regular tear film is necessary for us to see clearly. When light hits the cornea and the tear film is irregular, the light is scattered. If the tear film is not of good quality, symptoms of dry eye can occur. One of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency are the so-called Bitot spots, white foamy lesions on the cornea.
2 Night blindness
Night blindness is another early sign of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is an important component of rhodopsin, a protein that absorbs light in the retina. Rhodopsin is the 'rod' part of 'rods and cones' and is crucial for night vision.
3 Problems with wound healing
Vitamin A is an important component of good wound healing. One reason for this is that vitamin A dampens the body's inflammatory response and can help control excessive inflammation. Without enough vitamin A, the body cannot heal properly.
4 Increase in chest, throat and respiratory tract infections.
Vitamin A deficiency can be associated with throat, respiratory and chest infections. However, don't reach for vitamin A supplements for this reason alone - more research is needed in this area, and taking supplements can have some pretty serious side effects if you are not deficient.
Vitamin A is thought to have a protective effect against excessive inflammation associated with invasive pathogens such as colds and infections. Vitamin A may contribute to protection by modulating inflammation.
5 Dry skin
Vitamin A deficiency is certainly not the only reason for dry skin, eczema and other skin problems, but it can play a role. When looking at ingredients in skincare products, retinol is a fairly common term. It turns out that retinol is derived from vitamin A and has many benefits for the skin, such as reducing wrinkles, smoothing skin texture and more. Understanding this connection, it makes sense that a vitamin A deficiency can play a role in skin problems.
The skin contains retinoid receptors and an adequate supply of vitamin A helps to form new skin cells, reduce inflammation and prevent dryness. An insufficient supply of this vitamin can therefore lead to dry skin.
6 Problems with fertility
Studies in animals have shown that vitamin A deficiency can be associated with infertility. We know that vitamin A plays a role in a number of reproductive processes, but more research is needed in this area to find out if vitamin A deficiency is linked to fertility problems in both men and women.