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Vitamin A Deficiency is a type of deficiency that arises due to a lack of vitamin A in the bloodstream and tissues. It can lead to various health issues. Vitamins are necessary for the maintenance and healthy growth of an individual.
- Vitamin A Deficiency is the cause of childhood blindness.
- It is also known as hypovitaminosis A or VAD.
- Vitamin A helps in the improvement of vision, immune system, fertility, and skin.
- Vitamins help strengthen the metabolism rate to break down food molecules for digestion.
- It helps in the formation of bones, nerves, hormones, muscles, blood cells and genetic materials of our living cells.
- Thus, vitamins become the key organic compounds which help in the growth of the body.
- Vitamin A Deficiency can be prevented by plenty of foods.
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Key Terms: Vitamin A, Vitamin, Vitamin A Deficiency, Bones, Nerves, Bloodstreams, Hormones, Cells, Fertility, Skin, Immune System, Muscles, Tissues
What are Vitamin A Deficiency?
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Vitamin A deficiency arises due to a deficiency in vitamin A. It is caused by the collection of keratin in the conjunctiva. The deficiency leads to problems like skin disease, heart problems, lung disorders, tissue rupture and immune system deficiency.
- Vitamin A Deficiency is quite common in poorer countries.
- The deficiency leads to poor vision or causes chest infections.
- Due to vitamin A deficiency, females have problems in conceiving.
- Blood tests can help in detecting the deficiency in the human body.
Vitamin A Deficiency
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What are Vitamins?
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Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for the healthy growth of the body. Diet is the key source from which one gets all the necessary vitamins. However, only vitamin K is synthesised in the human body (in the small intestines).
- Vitamins are responsible for the normal functioning of the cell.
- They are divided into 13 categories.
- It is responsible for keeping central and peripheral nervous system.
- Vitamins will keep the skin healthy and glowing.
- It helps in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
Vitamins
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What is Vitamin A?
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Vitamin A is one of the vital vitamins required by our body. Its main purpose is to provide proper vision. Vitamin A assists in the formation of pigments that are necessary for the proper function of the retina.
- Vitamin A is responsible for keeping the immune system healthy.
- It is a group of compounds such as retinol and retinal.
- Vitamin A is found in animal and plant food.
- It helps in the development of the fetal system.
Some of the common vitamin A sources that one can include in their diet plan are listed below:
- Nuts
- Fish
- Liver
- Eggs
- Beet Greens
- Green leafy vegetables
- Chess
- Milk
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potatoes
Vitamin A
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Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency
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There can be numerous reasons contributing to the lack of vitamin A. Some of the common reasons that result in the deficiency of vitamin A are as follows:
- Insufficient consumption of dairy products and green vegetables.
- Vitamin A deficiency can also be caused by liver infection.
- For a newborn baby, vitamin A deficiency can be caused by a lack of breastfeeding.
- Break milk is a rich source of vitamin A.
- It is caused by fat malabsorption.
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Vitamin A Deficiency Diseases
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Vitamin A deficiency can cause following disease or disorders:
Skin Dryness
Vitamin A is responsible for development and repair of skin cells. Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to itchy and dry skin.
Eyes Dryness
Vitamin A is crucial for eyes as well. The basic signs of vitamin A deficiency is inability to produce tears and also affect your vision.
Infertility
Vitamin A deficiency can lead to infertility in both men and women. Vitamin A is vital for the development of a baby. Further, it also works as an antioxidant for men with fertility issues.
Hampers Growth
Deficiency of vitamin A can hamper the growth and development of a child.
Throat and Chest Infection
People who have vitamin A deficiency are more likely to make throat and chest infections. Children are advised to suffice vitamin A needs from natural diet as vitamin A supplement can lead to respiratory diseases among children.
Night Blindness
Another disorder that can be caused by vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. In order to overcome night blindness, vitamin A supplements are recommended.
Vitamin A Deficiency
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Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency
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Some of the symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency are as follows:
- Vitamin A Deficiency can lead to dryness in the skin.
- Children's growth can be hampered.
- Another symptom is respiratory and urinary infections in adults as well as children.
- Reduced vision, especially during nighttime or places where light is dim.
- The loss of goblet cells can lead to xerophthalmia, where the eye stops developing tears as they become dead cells.
- Dry eyes cause xerophthalmia, which is one of the important symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency.
- It is a form of night blindness that lubricates the mucus in the eye.
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Vitamin A Deficiency Treatment
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The simplest and best way to treat a deficiency of vitamin A is to include foods which are a rich source of vitamin A in your diet. In adverse situations, one can supplement vitamin A tablets along with the diet.
- Nutrients like calcium and proteins can lead to faster growth for children with diminutive growth.
- Increase the diet of eggs, milk, butter, and meat in your diet.
- Take vitamin A supplement after consulting with your doctor.
- Cod liver capsules help in the treatment of vitamin A deficiency.
- The addition of oil, ghee, and butter to your diet helps in the treatment of vitamin A.
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Things to Remember
- Vitamin A Deficiency is a nutritional disorder that is caused by the lack of vitamin A.
- It assists in the formation of pigments that are necessary for the proper function of the retina.
- Nuts, Fish, Liver, Eggs, Beet Greens, and Green leafy vegetables are some common sources of vitamin A
- Break milk is a rich source of vitamin A.
- Vitamin A Deficiency can cause skin dryness, eye dryness, infertility, stunt growth in children, or night blindness.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Which foods are a rich source of vitamin A? (2 marks)
Ans. Some of the common vitamin A sources that one can include in their diet plan are listed below:
- Nuts
- Fish
- Liver
- Eggs
- Beet Greens
- Green leafy vegetables
- Chess
- Milk
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potatoes
Ques. What are vitamins? How many types of vitamins have been identified? (4 marks)
Ans. Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for the healthy growth of the body. Diet is the key source from which one gets all the necessary vitamins. However, only vitamin K is synthesised in the human body (in the small intestines).
- Vitamins are responsible for the normal functioning of the cell.
- It is responsible for keeping central and peripheral nervous system.
- Vitamins are organic compounds which are required for growth and proper functioning of the body.
- Vitamins will keep the skin healthy and glowing.
- It helps in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
- 13 types of vitamins have been identified.
Ques. Which is the common cause of vitamin A deficiency? (3 marks)
Ans. The common cause of vitamin A deficiency are as follows:
- Insufficient consumption of dairy products and green vegetables.
- Vitamin A deficiency can also be caused by liver infection.
- For a newborn baby, vitamin A deficiency can be caused by a lack of breastfeeding.
- Break milk is a rich source of vitamin A.
- It is caused by fat malabsorption.
Ques. Can deficiency in vitamin A lead to infertility among men? How can one prevent it? (2 marks)
Ans. Yes, males who have vitamin A deficiency are prone to infertility. The deficiency leads to the decline of the germ cells. It also lead to the problem of spermatogenesis. Foods such as milk, watermelon, eggs, fish etc. are a rich source of vitamin A. One should include them in their diet to avoid the deficiency of vitamin A.
Ques. How can Vitamin A deficiency be treated? (4 marks)
Ans. The best way for the treatment of vitamin A deficiency are as follows:
- Nutrients like calcium and proteins can lead to faster growth for children with diminutive growth.
- Increase the diet of eggs, milk, butter, and meat in your diet.
- Take vitamin A supplement after consulting with your doctor.
- Cod liver capsules help in the treatment of vitamin A deficiency.
- The addition of oil, ghee, and butter to your diet helps in the treatment of vitamin A.
Ques. Explain vitamin A? (3 marks)
Ans. Vitamin A is one of the vital vitamins required by our body. Its main purpose is to provide proper vision. Vitamin A assists in the formation of pigments that are necessary for the proper function of the retina.
- Vitamin A is responsible for keeping the immune system healthy.
- It is a group of compounds such as retinol and retinal.
- Vitamin A is found in animal and plant food.
- It helps in the development of the fetal system.
Ques. Name a few of the disorders caused by vitamin A deficiency? (5 marks)
Ans. The few disorder Vitamin A deficiency can cause are as follows:
- Skin Dryness: Vitamin A is responsible for development and repair of skin cells. Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to itchy and dry skin.
- Eyes Dryness: Vitamin A is crucial for eyes as well. The basic signs of vitamin A deficiency is inability to produce tears and also affect your vision.
- Infertility: Vitamin A deficiency can lead to infertility in both men and women. Vitamin A is vital for the development of a baby. Further, it also works as an antioxidant for men with fertility issues.
- Hampers Growth: Deficiency of vitamin A can hamper the growth and development of a child.
- Throat and Chest Infection: People who have vitamin A deficiency are more likely to make throat and chest infections. Children are advised to suffice vitamin A needs from natural diet as vitamin A supplement can lead to respiratory diseases among children.
Ques. Is inability to produce tears a symptom of vitamin A deficiency? (2 marks)
Ans. Yes, vitamin A deficiency leads to dry eyes that result in xerophthalmia in which eyes stop producing tears. It is a form of night blindness where the outer membrane of eyes, and conjunctiva leaves it’s goblet cells that assist in leaving the mucus in the eye that keeps eyes lubricated. It will stops the eye for the development of tears as they become dead cells.
Ques. What are the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency? (4 marks)
Ans. The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are as follows:
- Vitamin A Deficiency can lead to dryness in the skin.
- Children's growth can be hampered.
- Another symptom is respiratory and urinary infections in adults as well as children.
- Reduced vision, especially during nighttime or places where light is dim.
- The loss of goblet cells can lead to xerophthalmia, where the eye stops developing tears as they become dead cells.
- Dry eyes cause xerophthalmia, which is one of the important symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency.
- It is a form of night blindness that lubricates the mucus in the eye.
Ques. How vitamin A deficiency can be tested? (2 marks)
Ans. Doctors can check for vitamin A deficiency by following methods:
- In case of night blindness, the doctor will prescribe an eye test.
- Doctors will examine the photoreceptors in your eyes.
- A retinol blood test can check for a deficiency of vitamin A.
Ques. What is vitamin A deficiency? (2 marks)
Ans. Vitamin A deficiency arises due to a deficiency in vitamin A. It is caused by the collection of keratin in the conjunctiva. The deficiency leads to problems like skin disease, heart problems, lung disorders, tissue rupture and immune system deficiency. It is quite common in poorer countries. The deficiency leads to poor vision or causes chest infections.
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