Vitamin A deficiency can lead to many serious complications
Vitamin A is essential for completing many processes in the body. It is a fat-soluble compound that is present in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Research shows that vitamin A can prevent certain cancers, support a healthy immune system, and promote bone health. Vitamin A also helps prevent and treat acne.
Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining eye health. Its deficiency can affect vision and the overall health of the eyes in a variety of ways. Here, let’s discuss how a lack of vitamin A in the body can negatively impact your overall health.
Vitamin A deficiency: Here’s how vitamin A deficiency affects vision
Vitamin A deficiency can lead to many complications. According to the World Health Organization, night blindness is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency. If left untreated, vitamin A deficiency can cause the cornea to become very dry, damaging the retina and cornea and causing blindness.
Other eye-related problems associated with vitamin A deficiency include conjunctival xerosis, Bitot spots, corneal xeroderma, and corneal scarring.
In mild cases, you may experience dry eye, where your eyes stop producing tears.
WHO also highlights that an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children go blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency, and half of them die within 12 months of becoming blind.
The negative effects of vitamin A deficiency are not limited to the eyes. Other results may also be affected. These include:
- Inflamed skin conditions and extremely dry skin
- Infertility and difficulty conceiving naturally in both men and women
- child growth delay
- Chest and throat infections common in children
- wounds heal slowly
- Frequent acne and pimples
- Severe deficiencies can also adversely affect pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Children’s bone development may be delayed
Food sources of vitamin A
Foods naturally rich in vitamin A include carrots, broccoli, salmon, spinach, sweet potatoes, mango, watermelon, papaya, apricots, guava, tomatoes, milk, and eggs.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
