Vitamin A Deficiency, Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that the body uses for hundreds of different functions such as growing new cells.
Unfortunately, over 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in this nutrient because they have digestive problems, do not get enough in their diet, or consume too much alcohol.
In today’s article, we will take a look at 10 common signs that you are deficient in Vitamin A, and how to fix this with food and supplements.
10 Signs You May Have a Vitamin A Deficiency:
10. Dry Eyes.
One of the most common signs of a Vitamin A deficiency is dry eye syndrome.
The eyes will often feel dry, sore, and gritty, and appear bloodshot. This happens because the body needs Vitamin A to help your tear glands produce lubricating tears that form a barrier to protect your eyes.
9. Dry Skin.
Vitamin A is also involved with the turnover and creation of skin cells.
If you notice dry flaking skin, dandruff, or white dots on the skin then you may be deficient in Vitamin A, or Vitamin B3. Low Vitamin A can also lead to eczema.
8. Night Blindness.
If you find that your vision gets worse at night time, and it’s hard to drive or see properly, then this is a classic sign of a Vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A (also known as retinol) helps to build rod and cone cells in the retina of your eye.
7. Sinus Infections.
Those who suffer from problems in the sinuses such as pressure, sinus headaches, a regular dry nose, or chronic rhinitis are often deficient in Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is the key nutrient for building protective mucous that lubricates the sinuses and protects the inner skin from infection.
6. Infertility.
If you are struggling to conceive a child then you may be deficient in Vitamin A. It plays a role in building healthy sperm cells in men, and eggs in females.
It helps the signaling mechanism to initiate meiosis and cell division for reproduction.
5. Throat & Chest Infections.
Vitamin A helps to support your immune system and lubricates the internal skin of your body.
If you have frequent throat or chest infections then this is a good indicator that you need more Vitamin A, the active form called retinol.
4. Cystic Acne.
Those with low levels of Vitamin A (retinol) also suffer from acne, redness of the skin, and breakouts.
This is why many skin creams contain retinol to help soothe these problems.
Getting more Vitamin A from oily fish like salmon can really help with this problem.
3. Delayed Growth.
If a pregnant mother is deficient in Vitamin A, or the child does not consume enough Vitamin A then they will likely have delayed growth.
Many children in South Africa suffered from this deficiency leading to stunted growth.
2. Hypothyroidism.
If you have an underactive thyroid then you are highly likely to be deficient in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is necessary for the conversion of thyroid hormones from T4 to T3.
1. Kidney Stones.
A vitamin A deficiency can greatly increase the risk of kidney and bladder stones, so if you are in fact a stone former you may need to get more of this into your diet.
Vitamin A helps to block the formation of calcium oxalate stones.
Why Am I Deficient In Vitamin A The most common cause of low vitamin A levels is not consuming enough of this nutrient from your diet.
The active form of Vitamin A (retinol) is found in fatty animal-based foods and is absolutely essential.
The richest food sources are beef liver, pasture-raised egg yolks, salmon, real butter, cream cheese, eggs, and mackerel.
– Poor Absorption.
If you are eating enough foods rich in Vitamin A, and still have a deficiency then it’s likely that you aren’t absorbing it properly.
If you have indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD then you likely have low stomach acid, which prevents you from breaking down your foods properly.
Also, if you have had your gallbladder removed, or suffer from liver problems then you may not be making enough BILE, the chemical your body uses to break down fat.
To fix these absorption problems, simply take apple cider vinegar capsules and ox bile before meals to strengthen the stomach and help you to absorb Vitamin A.
– Supplements.
We advise against taking synthetic supplements of Vitamin A (retinol) because these can be toxic in large amounts.
Instead, consume Virgin Cod Liver Oil harvested in Iceland. This is of the highest quality and contains a natural complex of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 Fatty acids.
– Vegetables.
There is also a pre-vitamin A called beta carotene which is found in vegetables, fruits, and plant sources.
Unfortunately, the body can only convert 3-6% of this to the active form called retinol, so it’s essential that you get most of your Vitamin A from fatty foods.
As you can see a Vitamin A deficiency can lead to a whole host of bodily problems, as it’s involved with making cells, lubrication, immunity, and much more.
As you improve your diet and add more Vitamin A-rich foods, you will notice improvements to your skin, eyes, and overall health.
Be sure to choose high-quality organic meats which are grass-fed and grass-finished, and also wild-caught fish for the best effects.
