Vitamin A Deficiency And How to Fix It
In the world today there are many people who suffer from a vitamin deficiency. In fact, it is estimated that around 1.02 billion people around the world suffer from a vitamin deficiency. Along with this, vitamin A is the most deficient nutrient among these people. Continue reading to learn more about vitamin A deficiency and what you can do to combat it.
What is Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the 13 essential vitamins that our bodies need to stay healthy. It is also a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it can be absorbed along with fats and stored in the body's fatty tissue. Its main function in the body is to help maintain normal vision and also aids in other parts of the body such as the immune system. Vitamin A also helps organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys work properly.
The National Institutes of Health state that, " The amount of vitamin A you need depends on your age and reproductive status." The recommended intakes for people 14 years and older range between 700 and 900 mcg (micrograms). Children under 14 should intake lower amounts but should not exceed 700 mcg per day. Breastfeeding women should be getting around 1,200 to 1,300 micrograms per day as they are also providing for their newborn child.
Vitamin A Deficiency
what it is/ symptoms/ how to stop it/ foods & supps
Most people in the United States get addequete amounts of vitamin A from all the foods that they eat. However, it is still important to know what vitamin A deficiency is.
Vitamin A deficiency has many different symptoms. The National Institutes of Health state that, " The most common symptom of the deficiency in young children and pregnant women is an eye condition called xerophthalmia. Xerophthalmia is the inability to see in low light. This can eventually lead to blindness if it is not treated.
Combating deficiency in the A vitamin is not as hard as it might seem. It can be combated through consuming foods that contain the vitamin. Some of these foods include:
- Beef liver & other organ meats
- Fish such as salmon
- Vegetables like broccoli, carrots & squash
- Fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots & mangos
- Dairy Products
There are also supplements available that can help combat a deficiency. Here at Liquid Health, we Manufacture many supplements that contain vitamin A. These include:
These supplements are intended to help provide the nutrients that the body is lacking. It is important to know that they are not meant to replace a healthy diet, however they are intended to assist in providing the nutrients along with a healthy diet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vitamin A deficiency can be taken care of by eating a balanced diet. This deficiency is also preventable by doing the same thing.
For more information about any of the products, please visit our website to learn more. Be sure to check out one of our previous articles about 4 Things You Didn't Know About Vitamin D.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905635/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/fat-soluble-vitamin