Vitamin A is essential for the normal functioning of most bodily systems, like good vision, an efficient reproductive system, and healthy skin. It is fortunate that this vitamin is largely available in many different food sources. Pregnant women, babies, and children, however, are at risk of a Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy and for babies or children in the early stages of growth. Our body actually sends us physical signs to inform us that we are lacking in Vitamin A in various ways. All we need to do is to understand them and replenish our bodies with it immediately. Here are the signs of a vitamin A deficiency.
1. Dry skin
Our skin repair and maintenance system are largely dependent on good dosages of vitamin A. it is needed to repair skin tissues and keep it moist and hydrated. If your skin has started showing symptoms of Eczema in which the skin gets very red as if bruised and injured, then It could be a possible lack of vitamin A.
2. Night blindness
This condition is also known medically as nyctalopia, in which it gets relatively harder for our eyes to adjust and focus in the darkness and the visibility reduces drastically. In dim light our vision efficiency gets weaker rather than getting sharper so much so that it becomes near impossible to process things in the dark at all leading to a proper vision handicap. This is one of the signs of vitamin A deficiency.
3. Acne
As we know that vitamin A is necessary for our skin tissue repair and is the biggest tool with which our skin remains supple and smooth. In a lack of vitamin A, the skin tends to get dry and rough which triggers excessive facial oil production resulting in pimples and acne. Most acne treatment lotions are usually loaded with vitamin A.
4. Problems with conception
You have been trying to conceive but it isn’t happening. This might be because of your body due to a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is necessary for the reproductive system in both genders equally. So, it’s a no brainer when we say that eating vitamin A rich food or medicine supplements increases fertility rates as well. In fact, women should be more careful about their diet and make sure they get adequate vitamin A as pregnancy losses are also attributed to the lack of this vitamin.
5. Poor wound healing
Our body produces a special protein called collagen which helps in quicker healing of injuries and wounds both internally and externally. The presence of this protein reflects the level of health in any organism including healthy skin and blood too. Vitamin A helps to produce collagen in our bodies so if you start noticing that your wounds are healing slower than usual, its time you revamped your diet and filled it with vitamin A rich food.
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6. Slow growth
Among signs of a vitamin A deficiency, this is perhaps the most crucial one that tells us our bodies are lacking in vitamin A. Slow growth of muscles and bone structure in babies and children is a matter of extreme worry, therefore it’s imperative to consume vitamin A rich food from the 3rd month of pregnancy and continue giving the same to the child after birth till the first whole year. This would lead to faster growth of the immune system and vision as well as physical growth and development.
7. Dry eyes
If you are always suffering from dry and itchy eyes and cannot moisten them by producing tears by blinking rapidly then it means that your body is deficient in vitamin A. Our Cornea needs to be moisturized all the time naturally otherwise it would lead to vision decline and even complete loss of sight. So, vitamin A drops are usually prescribed in this condition by doctors.
8. Foods rich in vitamin A
Here are foods rich in vitamin A that helps us get a natural source of the vitamin instead of relying on supplements, and external lotions. You need to incorporate these in your daily diet to prevent vitamin A deficiency.
- Eggs- almost 8% vitamin A can be extracted by eating a boiled egg alone so have it daily in the breakfast menu.
- Salmon- 100 grams of fresh salmon can provide our body with a whopping 149% of vitamin A required by our systems.
- Spinach- like salmon spinach also has a huge amount of Vitamin A reserve, one cup of boiled spinach has nearly 105% vitamin A dose.
- Sweet Potato- one cup of boiled sweet potato gives us almost 122% vitamin A needed for our daily dose.
- Carrots– one cup of carrots contain 148% vitamin A supply needed for our body.
Always remember never to dose yourself with supplements without first consulting a doctor.
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