Vitamin A Deficiency: Possible Risks

Vitamin A plays an antioxidant role in our body. It therefore fights the appearance of free radicals and cell damage. Therefore, vitamin A deficiency can cause certain problems.

Vitamin A deficiency can cause health problems. This nutrient is included in vitamins categorized as fat soluble, that is , vitamins that dissolve in fat and need a minimum amount of fatty tissue in order to be stored in the body.

Vitamin A has several essential functions in the human body, as it is involved in the development of eyesight and ensures good eye health. On the other hand, it is a good antioxidant. Habitual consumption reduces the risk of developing complex diseases in the medium and long term, as detailed in an article published in the journal Nutrients .

The good news is that this is a fairly common micronutrient in a diet. Foods that are red or orange in color tend to contain it. It is for this reason that consuming these vegetables assiduously assures us a correct level of this vitamin in the organism.

Nevertheless, cases of vitamin A deficiency can appear. This happens when following a very low fat diet, or in individuals who do not eat a varied diet. What are the consequences ?

Vitamin A deficiency is linked to neurodegenerative diseases

Vitamin A plays a neuroprotective role. Thus, low levels of this vitamin have been associated with a greater prevalence of pathologies associated with old age, such as Alzheimer’s disease, for example. The deficiency of this micronutrient is linked to a higher production of beta-amyloids, which are components linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, according to an article published in 2017.

Substances with an antioxidant character reduce the risk of diseases associated with aging. In this sense, vitamin A is no exception.

Vision problems associated with vitamin A deficiency

One of the first symptoms that alert you to vitamin A deficiency is the onset of vision problems. The most common is night blindness, which manifests as difficulty adjusting to the dark.

In more aggressive cases of vitamin A deficiency, eye-type lesions may develop. However, these cases are very infrequent.

It is the gastrointestinal problems produced by the lack of this vitamin that are most typical. Thus, diarrhea is a common manifestation in individuals who suffer from this dietary problem.

This nutrient also has an influence on lung health

Smokers or people with obstructive pulmonary disease are more susceptible to vitamin A deficiency. In this type of people, low vitamin A levels can lead to an increased risk of cancer.

It is for this reason that we can evaluate a supplementation in concrete cases. However, as a general rule, it is advisable to incorporate this vitamin through a varied diet.

Foods that contain vitamin A

Red and orange foods provide beta-carotenes and vitamin A. It is for this reason that it is beneficial to consume them often in our diet.

In addition, milk, butter and cheese are sources of this nutrient. Even some pigmented fruits like apricot or mango contain good doses of this vitamin.

In fact, if you follow a varied diet, consuming abundant products from the plant kingdom, it is rare to suffer from a vitamin A deficiency.

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Monitor vitamin A levels to prevent disease

Maintaining a good level of vitamin A intake helps reduce the risk of disease development in the medium and long term. The first manifestations of this deficit are gastrointestinal and visual. However, with the passage of time, vitamin A deficiency may be linked to alterations in neural health and an increased risk of cancer or lung disease.

In general, supplementation for this vitamin is not recommended. In healthy patients with a healthy diet, no particular benefit was observed. On the other hand, it can be an effective treatment in smokers or in people suffering from obstructive pulmonary diseases.

In any case, it is advisable to frequently include red plants to minimize the risk of deficit. Remember that dairy products are also a source of vitamin A. It should be noted that, due to its antioxidant power, this vitamin helps fight against aging and brain damage. This is why its consumption should not be neglected.