Ilustrasi vitamin A. ©Shutterstock
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Merdeka.com – Vitamins are an important part of the diet. Vitamins are a group of substances taken in small amounts that help support overall well-being and health. Vitamin A specifically needed to maintain healthy eyes, good eyesight, healthy skin, and help you fight infection.
Since the human body cannot produce vitamin A on its own, you have to incorporate it into your daily diet in other ways. When you don’t get enough vitamin A in your diet, you can run the risk of developing a vitamin A deficiency. Over time, this can lead to a variety of health problems including vision problems, decreased immunity, and death.
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Fortunately, you can treat a mild form of vitamin A deficiency without any long-term problems. Severe vitamin A deficiency is much more common in lower-middle socioeconomic countries, and lacks access to vitamin A-rich foods. So, what are the most common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency?
Reporting from healthline.com and webmd.com, the following are some of the symptoms: vitamin A deficiency which is worth knowing. Immediately increase your intake!
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1. Dry Skin
The first symptom of vitamin A deficiency is dry skin. Vitamin A is important for the formation and repair of skin cells. This vitamin also helps fight inflammation due to certain skin problems. Not getting enough vitamin A can be the cause of the development of eczema and other skin problems.
Eczema is a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. Several clinical studies have shown that alitretinoin, a prescription drug with vitamin A activity, is effective in treating eczema. Keep in mind that dry skin can have many causes, but chronic vitamin A deficiency can be one reason.
2. Dry Eyes
The second symptom of vitamin A deficiency is dry eyes. Eye problems are some of the most well-known problems associated with vitamin A deficiency. In extreme cases, not getting enough vitamin A can lead to complete blindness or a dying cornea, which is characterized by a sign called Bitot’s spot.
Dry eye, or the inability to produce tears, is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency. Young children in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia who have a diet lacking in vitamin A are most at risk for dry eye. Supplementing your diet with vitamin A can improve this condition.
3. Night blindness
The third symptom of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. A severe deficiency of vitamin A can cause night blindness. Several observational studies have reported a high prevalence of night blindness in developing countries. Because of the breadth of this problem, health professionals have worked to increase vitamin A levels in people at risk of night blindness.
In one study, women with night blindness were given vitamin A in the form of food or supplements. Both forms of vitamin A improve conditions. The woman’s ability to adapt to darkness increased by more than 50% during the six weeks of treatment
4. Infertility and Difficulty Getting Pregnant
The fourth symptom of vitamin A deficiency is infertility and difficulty conceiving. Vitamin A is necessary for reproduction in both males and females, as well as proper development in infants. If you’re having trouble conceiving, a vitamin A deficiency may be one reason. Vitamin A deficiency can cause infertility in both men and women.
Animal studies have shown that vitamin A deficiency can lead to difficulty conceiving and possibly embryos with birth defects. Other studies have shown that infertile men may have a greater need for antioxidants due to the higher levels of oxidative stress in their bodies. Vitamin A is a nutrient that acts as an antioxidant in the body.
Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with miscarriage.
A study that analyzed blood levels of different nutrients in women who had recurrent miscarriages found that they had low levels of vitamin A
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5. Delayed Growth
The fifth symptom of vitamin A deficiency is delayed growth. Children who do not get enough vitamin A can experience stunted growth. This is because vitamin A is necessary for the proper development of the human body.
Several studies have shown that vitamin A supplements, alone or with other nutrients, can promote growth. Most of these studies were conducted on children in developing countries.
6. Throat and Chest Infections
The sixth symptom of vitamin A deficiency is throat and chest infections. Frequent infections, especially in the throat or chest, may be a sign of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A supplements can help treat respiratory infections.
A study in children in Ecuador showed that underweight children who took 10,000 IU of vitamin A per week had fewer respiratory infections than those who received a placebo. Furthermore, according to a study in the elderly, high blood levels of the provitamin A carotenoid beta-carotene may protect against respiratory infections.
7. Wounds Are Hard to Heal
The seventh symptom of vitamin A deficiency is the wound becomes difficult to heal. Wounds that don’t heal well after injury or surgery may be related to low vitamin A levels. This is because vitamin A promotes the creation of collagen, an essential component of healthy skin. Research shows that both oral and topical vitamin A can strengthen the skin.
An animal study found that oral vitamin A increased collagen production. Additional research has also found that treating the skin with topical vitamin A can help prevent diabetes-related sores. Human studies have shown similar results.
8. Acne
The last symptom of vitamin A deficiency is the appearance of acne. Because vitamin A promotes skin development and fights inflammation, it can help prevent or treat acne. Various studies have linked low levels of vitamin A with the appearance of acne.
Topical and oral vitamin A can treat acne. Research shows that creams containing vitamin A can reduce the number of acne lesions by up to 50%. The most well-known oral form of vitamin A used to treat acne is isotretinoin, or Accutane.
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