Vitamin A is immediately associated with carrots and good eyesight. But how important the fat-soluble vitamin is for our entire body is made clear by the potential deficiency symptoms. These 5 symptoms threaten a vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A is not a single substance, but a whole group of so-called retinoids. These are all fat-soluble and fulfill numerous important tasks in the human body, which is why a deficiency can lead to serious symptoms.
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These 5 symptoms threaten with vitamin A deficiency
1. Night Blindness
In the form of retinal, vitamin A is an important component of the visual pigment of our retina . It is therefore not surprising that vitamin A deficiency leads to impaired visual function. Night blindness, i.e. poor and blurred vision at dusk or in the dark, is the earliest warning signal of an undersupply of vitamin A or beta-carotene (provitamin A), which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Dry eyes can also occur with a deficiency. However, since the stores in the liver last for up to six months, depending on how full they are, a deficiency is extremely rare in western industrialized nations. In less privileged countries, a deficiency occurs much more frequently, which can even lead to blindness.
2. Dry skin
Just like the eyes, other tissues can also become dehydrated when we don’t get enough beta-carotene or suffer from a vitamin A deficiency due to a condition such as cirrhosis of the liver, celiac disease or chronic diarrhea. This can affect the skin, for example, which is why dry patches of skin in connection with night blindness are important warning signals. If these occur, you should have your blood and liver values checked by a doctor.
3. Susceptibility to infection
Vitamin A also plays an important role in our immune system in the form of so-called retinoic acid. There it regulates the function of the T cells , which recognize foreign bodies, and the B cells , which produce our antibodies. Furthermore, vitamin A is important for the mucous membranes and thus contributes to protection against infections. Therefore, if you get sick easily, this can be a sign of a vitamin A deficiency.
Caution: In studies, supplementation with vitamin A has led to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers, which is why dietary supplements should only be taken under medical supervision and guidance!
4. Decreased fertility
This possible consequence shows how versatile and important vitamin A is for overall body health. In fact, a deficiency in men can impair sperm production, since the vitamin is essential for the functionality of the gonads.
Caution: Pregnant women should only take vitamin A dietary supplements under medical supervision, as high doses can endanger the unborn child.
5. Fatigue and less appetite
These diffuse symptoms can occur with many nutrient deficiencies, which is why tiredness or loss of appetite alone do not allow the diagnosis of vitamin A deficiency. It is therefore all the more important that you consult a doctor you trust if you are chronically tired despite having had enough sleep. This symptom can also indicate an omega-3 deficiency or B12 deficiency .
Vitamin A: These foods are particularly good suppliers
In addition to carrots, other plant and animal products also have a decent content of vitamin A or beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A:
- carrots
- sweet potatoes
- pumpkin
- tomatoes
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Owner
- liver
Important: If possible, always cover your vitamin A requirements with food. Because with food supplements there is a risk of overdose (hypervitaminosis). This danger does not exist with beta-carotene from plant-based foods, since it is only converted into vitamin A in the required amounts in the body.
