Amidst the fad diets, superfoods, and supplements world, some very fundamental yet critical nutrients tend to go unnoticed, and Vitamin A is one of these. While iron, vitamin D, and B12 deficiencies are a constant source of media coverage, Vitamin A deficiency tends to be silently neglected, even though it strikes millions of people, especially in third-world nations.Vitamin A is essential to have good eyesight, a healthy immune system, good skin, and good cell growth. However, most people, particularly pregnant women and children, are prone to its deficiency without even knowing. World Health Organization states that Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of preventable blindness in children and raises the risk of disease and death significantly.So why isn’t this talked about more? A part of the issue is the gradual onset of symptoms. They tend to show up as aches and pains or skin problems and not become severe until later. By the time individuals take action, the deficiency may have done permanent damage.Following are 5 important Vitamin A deficiency symptoms that can be dangerous if ignored:
Night blindness
Difficulty seeing in dark or low light conditions is one of the earliest and most precise signs of Vitamin A deficiency. Difficulty seeing in dark or low light conditions, or night blindness, occurs because Vitamin A plays an important role in the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the eye used to see in low light. If it is not treated, night blindness can lead to total loss of vision.
Dry eyes and corneal damage
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Vitamin A maintains moist eyes and guards against the surface tissues. When individuals lack sufficient amounts of it, they can suffer from dry, inflamed eyes, and even severe xerophthalmia, a condition that can result in permanent blindness. The cornea could get cloudy or form ulcers, which can hurt and become irreversible if not acted on immediately.
Frequent infections
Vitamin A enhances the immune system by keeping mucous membranes intact in the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Individuals with Vitamin A deficiency have an increased vulnerability to infections like pneumonia, measles, and diarrhea. Indeed, research has indicated that VAD elevates mortality from infectious diseases, particularly in children.
Dry, scaly skin
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Vitamin A is very important in the regeneration of skin. Lack of it can cause rough, dry, or scaly skin on the arms, legs, and face. This sign is confused with eczema or other skin diseases. With time, the skin becomes more susceptible to wounds and takes longer to heal.
Delayed growth and development
In children, Vitamin A deficiency can also affect physical and cognitive development. It has an impact on bone growth, immune response, and tissue repair, all of which are important at early childhood. Learning and growth can be stunted in children with chronic Vitamin A deficiency.Vitamin A deficiency is more prevalent and perilous, than most are aware. It lurks in the shadows, usually undiagnosed until serious illness strikes. The good news is that it’s preventable and curable by way of a nutritionally balanced diet packed with leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, eggs, and dairy, or by supplementation as needed.Raising awareness of this quiet deficit may save sight, enhance immunity, and even save lives, particularly among the world’s most at-risk communities.
