Know About the Impact of Vitamin a Deficiency & More

Today, in this article, we will discuss the diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. If you also want to know which diseases are caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A, you can read this article. We have mentioned the diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A in this article.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is easily available in water. Vitamin A is very beneficial for health. It is beneficial for maintaining eye health, healthy skin, dental health, and strengthening bones, and other organs of the body.

Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant in our body, which helps protect against the harmful effects of free radicals. It also plays an important role in keeping vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys healthy and preventing diseases.

Vitamin A helps boost our body's immune system, which protects our cells from damage. Therefore, we should consume a diet daily that contains an adequate amount of Vitamin A. Men should have 900 micrograms (mcg) of Vitamin A in their bodies, while women should have 700 micrograms of Vitamin A.

Diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A

The following diseases are caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A:

(1) Night Blindness: Night blindness is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. Night blindness is a type of eye disease. Due to this disease, the patient can see properly during the day but experiences reduced or blurred vision at night. A deficiency of Vitamin A weakens the cells of the eyes, causing difficulty in night vision. This disease is known as night blindness.

(2) Dry Skin: Vitamin A helps in the formation of skin cells and the repair of damaged cells. When there is a deficiency of Vitamin A in the body, it affects the skin. If there is a deficiency of Vitamin A, the skin becomes dry and rough. It also leads to chapped lips.

(3) Delayed Wound Healing: You may have noticed that some people's small wounds heal quickly, while for others, it takes more time. One reason for this can be a deficiency of Vitamin A in the body. If there is a deficiency of Vitamin A, it takes more time for wounds to heal.

(4) Increased Risk of Infections: Vitamin A helps in boosting the body's immune system. With a deficiency of Vitamin A in the body, the risk of infections increases. Such individuals become easily susceptible to illnesses, and they often suffer from problems like cold, cough, or flu. A deficiency of Vitamin A increases the risk of infections in the throat and chest, leading to frequent coughing and colds.

(5) Dry Eyes: A deficiency of Vitamin A in the body leads to various eye-related problems. If you experience dryness in your eyes, it means there is a deficiency of Vitamin A in your body. In addition, a deficiency of Vitamin A reduces tear production and can lead to dry eyes or even blocked tear ducts.

Sources of Vitamin A

To fulfill the deficiency of Vitamin A in the body, one can consume various types of food items. Let's find out what the sources of Vitamin A are:

• Sweet potatoes
• Beetroots
• Turnips
• Carrots
• Kidney beans
• Cilantro
• Lentils
• Eggs
• Whole grains
• Sapodilla (chikoo)
• Spinach
• Mangoes
• Paneer (cottage cheese)
• Peas
• Tomatoes
• Pumpkin
• Broccoli
• Papaya
• Watermelon

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. Now you are aware of the diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. Another important point to note is that Vitamin A is also beneficial for your skin, eyes, and hair. We hope that you have gained valuable information from this article.