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Vitamin A facts
Vitamin A deficiency can cause:
- cornea damage
- blindness
- dry cornea
- bone deformation
- teeth deformation
- skin problems
- loss of appetite
- inability to fight infection
- inability to fight pneumonia
- respiratory infection
- diarrheal infection
- decreased growth rate
- slow bone development
For a complete list of symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, please visit our vitamin deficiency page.
Where does Vitamin A come from?
Vitamin A is a family of natural compounds called Retinal or Retinol, and Carotenoids (beta-carotenes). Vitamin A is found in animal foods such as liver, egg yolks, cheddar cheese, and whole milk. Skim milk or non-fat milk is usually fortified with Vitamin A, so there should not be a problem with them. Vitamin A also comes from many of the dark orange-yellow and green vegetables such as carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, canteloupe, broccoli, peaches, and peas. The retinol form of vitamin A is found in the animal foods above. The beta-carotene form of vitamin A is found in the fruits and vegetables.
Why do we need Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which means the body can store it for longer term reserves, but if there is a fat absorption problem then vitamin A levels can become depleted.
Vitamin A helps in formation and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones, skeletal and soft tissue, reproduction, and cell division.
Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system, promotes good vision especially in dim light, protects skin and tissues inside and outside the body including the lining of the mouth, stomach, lungs, urinary bladder and reproductive organs, intestines, eyelids, and sinus passageways.
Vitamin A also helps prevent formation of cancer cells.
What happens if we have a Vitamin A deficiency?
A vitamin A deficiency is rare in the U.S. (except in the case of poverty stricken families which can cause malnourishment), but in underdeveloped countries it can cause severe problems. Some symptoms include cornea damage, blindness, dry cornea, bone and teeth deformation, skin problems, and loss of appetite. A deficiency diminishes the ability to fight infections and pneumonia. Children with a vitamin A deficiency have an increased risk of developing respiratory and diarrheal infection, a decreased growth rate, and slow bone development.
Excess alcoholic intake depletes the vitamin A reserve which is stored in the liver.
For more information ...
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