How do I recognize a vitamin A deficiency myself?

The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are very unspecific. A vitamin A deficiency is therefore best recognized as such when the symptoms are alleviated after an increased intake of vitamin A or when very many of the associated symptoms are present. Symptoms that generally indicate a deficiency are particularly evident in the skin and vision.If the skin is dry and tends to have poorly healing cracks (such as at the corners of the mouth), this may be an indication of a deficiency.

The same applies to often inflamed and poorly healing gums. Furthermore, brittle nails or hair loss can be noticeable. A vitamin A deficiency also manifests itself in the eyes and vision, and usually even earlier than in the skin. Anyone who notices that their vision deteriorates at night (night blindness) should therefore ask themselves whether a vitamin A deficiency might not be present.

This is the cause of vitamin A deficiency

The cause of a vitamin A deficiency is usually a reduced intake combined with an increased consumption of this vitamin. The cause of a disturbance in absorption can be a disturbed absorption of fat in the intestinal tract (since vitamin A is fat-soluble). This can be caused by the intake of so-called blood fat reducers (cholesterol-lowering drugs) or because of existing problems with the liver, gallbladder or pancreas.

The reduced intake can also be caused by an unbalanced diet, although vitamin A is found in an extremely wide range of foods. For example, children have an increased consumption due to growth, smokers, people under stress, people who have just undergone surgery and people who are heavily exposed to the sun (this is especially true for fair-skinned people). In addition, certain sleeping pills increase consumption.

Alcohol worsens both the absorption and storage of vitamin A, which takes place mainly in the liver. Men generally have a higher requirement than women and should therefore pay particular attention to the consumption of products containing vitamin A if a corresponding deficiency is suspected. It should also be remembered that up to a third of the vitamin A contained in food is lost through cooking.