Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function. However, despite its importance, many people around the world suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. In India 17.54% of Indian are vitamin A deficient. Children are the worst affected with almost 85% of children are Vitamin A deficient. (1).

It is important to identify the signs of vitamin A to address the problem. In this blog we will discuss signs of Vitamin A deficiency for you to watch out for.

Food Sources of Vitamin A

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Spinach
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Red bell peppers
• Apricots
• Mangoes
• Salmon
• Eggs

Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms

1. Dry Skin

Vitamin A plays a major role in skin health. It helps to create and repair skin cells. Vitamin A helps fight inflammation due to certain skin issues. Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause eczema and other skin problems.

Eczema, a condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, has been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials to respond positively to alitretinoin, a prescription medication possessing vitamin A properties.

One study found that people with chronic eczema who took 10–40 mg of alitretinoin per day experienced up to a 53% reduction in their symptoms (2).

2. Night Blindness

Night blindness is a sign of Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is essential for rhodopsin production, a pigment in the eyes that helps with low-light vision. When there’s a deficiency in Vitamin A, the production of rhodopsin is impaired, leading to difficulty seeing in low-light conditions, such as at night.

One study in women found that after receiving Vitamin A supplements ability to adapt to darkness increased by over 50% over six weeks of treatment (3).

3. Infertility

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various reproductive health issues, including infertility. Research suggests that Vitamin D plays a role in reproductive function, including sperm and egg health, hormone regulation, and embryo implantation.

Deficiency in vitamin a causes miscarriage. One study found that the blood levels of different nutrients in women who had recurrent miscarriages found that they had low levels of vitamin A (4).

4. Dry Eyes

Eye complications are commonly associated with deficiency of vitamin A. Severe deficiency can result in total blindness or the development of Bitot’s spots, distinctive markings on the cornea indicating deteriorating eye health. Dry eyes, or the inability to produce tears, is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.

A study found that high doses of vitamin A decreased the prevalence of dry eyes by 63% among infants and children who took supplements for 16 months (5).

5. Throat and Chest Infections

Vitamin A deficiency weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections, including those affecting the throat and chest. There are some studies that shows children who took 10,000 IU of vitamin A per week had fewer respiratory infections than those who received a placebo

6. Poor Wound Healing

Deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to poor wound healing. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in the process of wound healing by promoting cell growth, collagen formation, and tissue repair. Without adequate Vitamin A, the body’s ability to heal wounds efficiently is impaired, potentially resulting in delayed or incomplete healing.

7. Acne

Given that vitamin A supports skin growth and reduces inflammation, it could potentially aid in the prevention or treatment of acne. Vitamin A derivatives like retinoids are commonly used in acne treatment due to their ability to regulate skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation.

8. Delayed Growth

Vitamin A deficiency can indeed led to delayed growth, especially in children. Vitamin A is crucial for various aspects of growth and development, including bone growth, immune function, and overall cellular health. Insufficient intake of Vitamin A can impair these processes, potentially resulting in stunted growth and delayed development, particularly in children. Multiple studies have shown that vitamin A supplements can improve growth (6).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vitamin A deficiency can cause a range of symptoms, but it is preventable and treatable. It is important to identify the risk factors and take the necessary steps to avoid this deficiency. Adequate intake of Vitamin A through diet or supplements is crucial for maintaining good health. If you suspect that you have a Vitamin A deficiency, consult with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment options. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

FAQs

1. What are the symptoms of low vitamin A?

Symptoms of low vitamin A include night blindness, dry or inflamed eyes, dry skin, impaired immune function, slow wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infections.

2. How can I increase my vitamin A?

You can increase your vitamin A intake by consuming foods rich in nutrients such as liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, eggs, and dairy products. Vitamin A supplements is also a good option.

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

The five major functions of vitamin A include:

• Supporting vision health, particularly in low-light conditions
• Promoting immune function and aiding in the production of white blood cells
• Maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes
• Supporting growth and development
• Playing a role in reproduction and fertility.

4. What diseases are caused by lack of vitamin A?

Diseases caused by lack of vitamin A include night blindness, xerophthalmia (dry eyes), increased susceptibility to infections, impaired immune function, and in severe cases, complete blindness and growth retardation.

5. What is vitamin A good for?

Vitamin A is beneficial for various functions including supporting vision health, promoting immune function, maintaining healthy skin, aiding in growth and development, and supporting reproductive health.