10 Little-Known Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms

Vitamin A | Foods | Absorption | Deficiency Symptoms | Daily Requirement

Although vitamin A is one of our body’s most versatile essential vitamins, it is usually in the shadow of vitamin C or D.

Nevertheless, the nutrient is indispensable for the immune system, eyes, skin, and cell growth. Moreover, it is not absorbed equally well from every food.

Since vitamin A deficiency can drastically affect our health, you can learn everything you need to know about the symptoms and how to prevent them here.

What Is Vitamin A Deficiency?

Vitamin A is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the following processes of the human body:

• Maintenance of healthy vision
• Growth and development of children
• Strengthening organ and immune function
• Supporting muscle gain
• Protection against free radicals

For example, the following deficiency symptoms can occur if you don’t get enough vitamin A in your diet:

• Increased risk of infection
• Blemished skin
• Impaired vision

Accordingly, vitamin A deficiency, in particular, is known to be a significant cause of blindness.

Health Benefits of Vitamin A

Why vitamin A deficiency is a global problem that can lead not only to blindness but even death becomes clear when we survey the broad scope of the nutrient’s health effects (Wiseman et al. 2017¹).

1. Improves Fertility

Vitamin A is already instrumental in developing children in the womb (Hadi et al. 2000²).

Furthermore, retinol deficiency can limit fertility. While it reduces sperm quality in men, it affects ovule quality in women (Clagett-Dame et al. 2011³).

2. Boosts Immune System

The intestinal wall relies on vitamin A to form and maintain cells (Huang et al. 2018⁴).

Therefore, sufficient consumption of bioavailable retinol helps stop the transport of pathogens from the intestine to vital organs.

Besides, even mild vitamin A deficiency can increase the risk of respiratory diseases and diarrhea (Sommer et al. 1984⁵).

3. Helps Renew Skin

Vitamin A is an all-around active substance when it comes to our skin. It can slow its aging process, promote renewal, and smooth it (Park 2015⁶).

For this reason, recent studies recommend natural foods rich in zinc and vitamins A and E to fight acne (Ozuguz et al. 2014⁷).

Fortunately, these same nutrients are found together in natural vitamin A foods.

4. Maintains Vision

Damage to the retina from oxidative stress-so-called age-related macular degeneration, is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly population (Beatty et al. 2000⁸).

While natural foods containing vitamin A can counteract this disease, studies have shown that beta-carotene supplements alone cannot halt its progression (Evans et al. 2017⁹).

Vitamin A distribution programs in developing countries save the eyesight and lives of nearly half a million children annually (Sommer 2014¹⁰).

5. Reduces Inflammation

In addition to infectious diseases, insufficient intake of vitamin A mainly promotes chronic inflammation in the body.

Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effect of retinol from the skin to the lungs is indispensable (Reifen 2002¹¹).

6. Strengthens Bones

While people with lower levels of vitamin A in their blood have a higher risk of bone fractures, those with the highest levels have a lower risk (Zhang et al. 2017¹²).

To strengthen bones and minimize fractures’ risk, collaborative consumption of vitamin D is crucial, such as in the form of eggs (Joo et al. 2015¹³).

7. Supports Muscle Gain

Scientists found decreased muscle protein synthesis in rats that consumed too little vitamin A through diet (Narbonne et al. 1978¹⁴).

In addition to muscle development and maintenance, retinol also impairs weight gain, as vitamin A deficiency in the diet can lead to obesity (Zulet et al. 2008¹⁵).

8. Regulates Genes

Most people are not aware that your diet can have a direct impact on your genetic makeup. Accordingly, the bioactive components of retinol can directly regulate genes (McGrane 2007¹⁶).

Thus, your diet can have an impact on your offspring.

9. Fights Cancer

Animal studies suggest retinoids can prevent and suppress cancer (Sankaranarayanan et al. 1996¹⁷).

Similarly, other studies state that retinoids can inhibit tumor development and prevent second primary tumors’ development (Sun et al. 2002¹⁸).

Unlike foods containing vitamin A, beta-carotene preparations do not show the same anticancer effects (Lee et al. 1999¹⁹).

Foods Preventing Vitamin A Deficiency

Few people know that vitamin A1 – retinol – is found only in animal foods.

For this reason, sources of true, pre-formed vitamin A1 are limited to the following food groups:

• Fish
• Meat
• Dairy products
• Eggs

For example, regular consumption of pasture-raised liver is the most effective way to obtain optimal vitamin A levels.

In fact, due to its unparalleled nutrient density, recent studies recommend adults eat liver several times per week (Kicinska et al. 2019²⁰).

However, eating liver once a month may be sufficient to counteract vitamin A deficiency symptoms (van Stuijvenberg et al. 2020²¹).

So why are plant sources not as effective against the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency?

Beta-Carotene Does Not Help Much

Most Internet sources will suggest plant-based foods to you first and foremost as vitamin A sources. The following orange vegetables are always put in the spotlight:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkins

However, although these plants are considered vitamin A foods, they only provide precursors called carotenoids.

However, it is essential to know the difference between carotenoids and retinoids to prevent the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.

While animal sources provide pre-formed vitamin A (retinol), plant sources only offer provitamin A (beta-carotene).

Since true retinol has much higher bioavailability, the body can utilize it more efficiently. In contrast, our body must first convert provitamin A into retinol to benefit from it.

However, this conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A is not self-evident since women absorb only about 3.3% and men about 2.25% of beta-carotene (Lin et al. 2000²²; Hickenbottom et al. 2002²³).

Subsequently, the body needs to convert these ingested carotenoids to retinol in a further step. As a result, the body can only convert small amounts of beta-carotene to vitamin A.

For example, in this study, only 3% of absorbed beta-carotene was converted to retinol (Hickenbottom et al. 2002²⁴).

Moreover, about 45% of women and men can convert almost no beta-carotene to vitamin A (Lin et al. 2000²⁵; Hickenbottom et al. 2002²⁶).

Because nutrient claims do not distinguish between provitamin A and vitamin A, they are usually confusing.

Although International Units (UI) compensate for conversion efficiency loss, they do not pay sufficiently. In this context, 1 UI corresponds to 0.3 mcg of retinol and 0.6 mcg of beta-carotene.

However, beta-carotene’s effect is probably far less than half the retinol equivalent. Hence, you better eat several pounds of carrots to meet the true daily vitamin A requirement.

How to Absorb Vitamin A Properly

Many people don’t realize that vitamin A is fat-soluble. While B and C vitamins are water-soluble, A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.

Therefore, we cannot properly absorb vitamin A if we eat a low-fat diet. Besides, fat helps increase the conversion of carotenoids to true retinol.

Furthermore, vitamin D is significantly involved in the absorption of retinol. And such as vitamin A, vitamin D is also fat-soluble.

On the one hand, vitamin D helps the body utilize vitamin A; conversely, it counteracts potential toxicity.

For example, vitamin D consumption is necessary to strengthen bone mineralization and prevent fractures by absorbing vitamin A (Joo et al. 2015²⁷).

Fortunately, however, nature leaves nothing to chance.

Many natural foods that contain vitamin A are equally rich in fat and vitamin D. For example, these are:

• Eggs
• Mackerel
• Cod liver
• Caviar

Moreover, healthy animal fats like grass-fed butter or organic lard will help you absorb retinol more efficiently.

In addition to improved nutrient absorption, animal fats have the advantage that they contain few polyunsaturated fatty acids, so they are better suited for frying than all vegetable oils except virgin coconut oil.

You get healthy omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fatty fish and primarily vitamins A and D.

With this in mind, it’s easy to see why cod liver oil has the reputation of being a historic natural remedy.

Also, you may allow yourself 15 minutes of sunshine daily to boost your body’s vitamin D synthesis if the weather permits it.

Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A involves various body functions, notably growth, vision, and immune defense.

However, the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency explained below can vary in severity in different people.

If you suspect any symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, you should immediately consult your trusted physician.

1. Infertility

Vitamin A deficiency can affect oocyte quality and thus inhibit fertility.

Similarly, scientists suggest that too little retinol intake can affect sperm quality and reduce fertility in men (Clagett-Dame et al. 2011²⁸).

Furthermore, vitamin A deficiency in the mother during pregnancy is associated with higher infant mortality rates (Hadi et al. 2000²⁹).

Nevertheless, be cautious with supplements as they may cause malformations (Guillonneau et al. 1997³⁰).

2. Dry Eyes

Eye problems are among the first symptoms that come to mind for people associated with vitamin A deficiency.

Dry eyes, or the impaired ability to produce tears, are the best-known initial vitamin A deficiency symptoms.

Also, children in developing countries whose diets are deficient in vitamin A are most at risk for developing dry eyes (West 2002³¹).

Furthermore, inadequate vitamin A is the most common cause of blindness in children, which could have been prevented by proper nutrition (Wiseman et al. 2017³²).

3. Night Blindness

Another known symptom of vitamin A deficiency equally affects vision. Severe cases of vitamin A lack can lead to night blindness (Al Binali 2014³³).

In one study, women who suffered from night blindness were given vitamin A in the form of both foods, such as liver and supplements.

In this study, both forms of vitamin A improved their condition. Over several weeks of treatment, the women increased their vision in the dark by 50% (Haskell et al. 2005³⁴).

4. Dry Skin

Skin problems are among the best-known symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. For example, some people may notice dryness, dandruff, or itching when their vitamin A intake is too low.

In individual cases, this dryness may also be associated with the scalp and hair.

People who suffer from eczema show precisely these symptoms.

For this reason, a low retinol level is considered a promising parameter for the early detection and treatment of potential eczema (Biswas et al. 2018³⁵).

5. Acne

Studies indicate that nutrition plays a significant role in developing and controlling acne (Ozuguz et al. 2014³⁶).

Moreover, the association between insufficient vitamin A levels and acne development has been repeatedly established (El-Akawi et al. 2006³⁷).

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that can protect skin cells from oxidative stress, such as UV rays. Accordingly, studies suggest it can slow aging, promote skin renewal and counteract acne (Park 2015³⁸).

6. Impaired Wound Healing

Vitamin A promotes collagen formation, an essential building block for skin, hair, muscles, and bones.

Researchers, therefore, conclude that this effect on collagen production could improve wound healing in the context of clinical treatments (Wicke et al. 2000³⁹).

Accordingly, a study on older men demonstrated that retinoids administered in cream could dramatically improve wound healing.

7. Respiratory Infections

Scientists first discovered Vitamin A as an anti-infection vitamin for a good reason (Green et al. 1928⁴⁰).

Accordingly, even mild vitamin A deficiency is sufficient to promote the risk of respiratory infections (Sommer et al. 1984⁴¹).

In addition to pneumonia, foods with vitamin A also reduce infection rates and mortality associated with tuberculosis or malaria (Huang et al. 2018⁴²).

8. Inflammation

Retinol is essential to maintain the intestinal wall, preventing pathogens from entering the bloodstream (Huang et al. 2018⁴³).

Besides, it offers anti-inflammatory properties (Reifen 2002⁴⁴).

Therefore, it is unsurprising that a recent study suggests a link between vitamin A deficiency and Crohn’s disease.

It found that people with too little vitamin A in their blood developed chronic gut inflammation more often (Soares-Mota et al. 2015⁴⁵).

9. Poor Growth

Vitamin A plays an essential role in the formation of healthy cells.

Accordingly, vitamin A is essential for developing vital major organs and growth in children (Hadi et al. 2000⁴⁶).

For this reason, an insufficient supply of critical vitamins can delay a child’s growth, particularly inhibiting bone formation.

10. Anemia

Retinol plays a significant role in blood formation.

Accordingly, German Cancer Research Center scientists suggest vitamin A deficiency can cause a loss of important blood stem cells, damaging the hematopoietic system in the bone marrow (Cabezas-Wallscheid et al. 2017⁴⁷).

Furthermore, it is well-documented that vitamin A deficiency can lead to anemia (Jafari et al. 2013⁴⁸).

How Much Vitamin A per Day

Since vitamin A deficiency can be dangerous, consult your trusted doctor immediately if you suspect any symptoms.

Health authorities recommend that men consume 900 mcg, women 700 mcg (770 mcg during pregnancy), and children and adolescents 300 to 600 mcg of vitamin A per day (ODS 2020⁴⁹).

Accordingly, these amounts should be ideal for preventing deficiency symptoms.

Although consuming too much vitamin A is harmful, it is unlikely if you consume only natural foods.

In contrast, vitamin A toxicity can occur precisely when people consume supplements in excessive amounts for weeks or months.

Moreover, excessive vitamin A supplementation can even lead to hair loss (Almohanna et al. 2019⁵⁰)

With this in mind, natural foods with retinol are safer and healthier.

Besides, our bodies may not always use artificial vitamins as we would hope (Dibley et al. 1996⁵¹; Murphy et al. 1992⁵²).

In contrast, even a single monthly consumption of 66 grams of liver could help South African preschoolers avoid needing vitamin A supplementation (van Stuijvenberg et al. 2020⁵³).

The Bottom Line

Vitamin A deficiency is one of developing countries most substantial health problems, contributing to childhood blindness and increased mortality rates.

Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in Western society. What plagues developing countries can also have an impact here.

There, primarily the increased risk of infection from vitamin A deficiency drives mortality rates.

Against the Corona pandemic’s backdrop, it is therefore just as essential for our immune system to absorb sufficient vitamin A through food.

Since the conversion of beta-carotene to retinol is greatly overestimated according to studies, reaching for foods with pre-formed vitamin A is advisable. For example, these are fish, eggs, liver, and dairy products.

However, anyone who suspects vitamin A deficiency symptoms, ranging from dry eyes to acne and infertility to respiratory infections and poor wound healing, should see a doctor immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you fix vitamin A deficiency?

If you see any vitamin A deficiency signs, consult a health professional immediately. Your doctor can design an individual plan to fix your issue. Besides, foods with pre-formed vitamin A, such as liver, fatty fish, eggs, and dairy products, may help.

What blocks vitamin A absorption?

Above all, you have to distinguish between retinol and beta-carotene. While retinol is active vitamin A, your body has to convert beta-carotene into retinol, which results in minimal absorption rates. Vitamin D and healthy fats can improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin A.

Which disease is caused due to lack of vitamin A?

Vitamin A deficiency can cause anemia, acne, infertility, and various eye issues, ranging from dry eyes to complete blindness.

References

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