Causes of vitamin A deficiency
Poor absorption of vitamin A
There are many factors and causes responsible for vitamin A deficiency, the most important of which is its poor absorption, resulting from diseases that damage the digestive system and affect the normal digestion process, and among these diseases, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal infection, and lack of flow bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestines, cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis.
Lack of vitamin A in the diet
A strict vegetarian diet, lack of intake of foods rich in vitamin A, or a low-fat diet are among the reasons responsible for its deficiency in the body, given that it is a fat-soluble type that is easily absorbed when fat is broken down in the small intestine. For this reason, taking medications that help reduce fat absorption is one of the reasons responsible for vitamin deficiency in the body.
Food sources and vitamin A supplements
Vitamin A can be obtained by eating foods rich in it, which include fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products, or by taking a nutritional supplement to boost its levels in the body.
However, obtaining a dietary supplement does not mean that it is limited to supplements only, rather it is necessary to obtain nutrients in foods to enhance its absorption in the body. Except when suffering from a health condition that affects your body's ability to absorb it, after consulting the attending physician to obtain the recommended percentage, which should not be exceeded.
Frequently asked questions that may interest you
What fruits contain vitamin A?
Vitamin A is found in fruits that contain high levels of carotene, and fruits with an orange tint, such as mangoes, apricots, papayas, cantaloupe, and watermelons.
What disease is caused by vitamin A deficiency?
Vitamin A deficiency can affect the health of the eyes, so that a person may suffer from dry eyes, the appearance of irregular white spots in the eyes, or the inability to see clearly at night, in addition to age-related macular degeneration, which is the loss of vision with age, and affects older people. Age. Therefore, it is recommended to get enough of it to slow down the rate of vision loss in people with age-related macular degeneration.
How do I increase vitamin A?
The body does not produce vitamin A naturally, and its levels can be increased in the body by eating foods rich in it, by eating meat, beef liver, fish such as salmon, egg yolks, dairy products such as milk and cheese, in addition to vegetable oils, fruits and vegetables with an orange tint such as pepper. carrots, sweet potatoes, or green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and squash.
And its levels can be increased by obtaining a nutritional supplement, but, provided that you are diagnosed with a deficiency in its levels in the body, or through a doctor’s recommendation to obtain it.
Is getting a high percentage of vitamin A harmful?
High levels of it can be harmful to your health and can cause severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, muscle aches and loss of balance.
Getting high levels of it during pregnancy can cause birth defects in the fetal organs during its growth and development. Therefore, it is advised to get enough of it without excessive or negligible intake. Recommended doses for males and females include:
Adult males: 900 mcg.
Adult females: 700 mcg.
Pregnant teens: 750 mcg.
Breastfeeding teens: 1,200 mcg.
Breastfeeding adults: 1,300 mcg.