Can Vitamin A Deficiency Cause Blindness? How to Ensure Adequate Intake

Vitamin A

You must have heard people saying that one should eat bananas if they want good eyesight. But why? It is because this fruit contains <span>Vitamin A</span>--a fat-soluble nutrient that is important for your eyes. This vitamin also plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy immune system and supports reproduction, growth and development. Vitamin A also helps the heart, lungs and other organs function properly. 

The amount of Vitamin A needed by any individual depends upon his/her age and sex. However, the National Institutes Of Health (NIH) recommends 900 mcg RAE in males and 700 mcg RAE in females. Meanwhile, pregnant women need to have at least 770 mcg RAE of Vitamin A in their blood. 

This vitamin is naturally occurring in many food items like bananas, fish etc and is also added in certain foods like milk and cereal. You can get an adequate amount of this nutrient by consuming the following food items:

1. Some specific types of fish like salmons and herrings

3. Green leafy vegetables and other yellow and orange vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and winter squash.

5. Fortified breakfast cereals like cornflakes and mueseli. 

<h2>Are You Getting Enough Vitamin A?</h2>

<span>Vitamin A deficiency</span> is rare in the United States because most people get enough vitamin A from the foods they eat. However, vitamin A deficiency is common in many developing countries, especially in young children. Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough vitamin A:

Infants, young children, pregnant people, and breastfeeding people in developing countries

People with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease

<h2>What Happens When You Lack Or Consume Excess Vitamin A? </h2>

Deficiency of Vitamin A primarily affects eyes and one of the most common symptoms of this is an eye condition called xerophthalmia. This condition leads to an inability to see in low light and can lead to blindness if left untreated. On the contrary, high intakes of some forms of vitamin A can be harmful.

Getting too much-preformed vitamin A (usually from supplements or certain medicines) can cause severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, muscle aches, and problems with coordination. In severe cases, getting too much preformed vitamin A can even lead to coma and death. Excess of vitamin A consumed by pregnant women can lead to birth defects in your baby , including those in the eyes, skulls, lungs and heart.

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You must have heard people saying that one should eat bananas if they want good eyesight. But why? It is because this fruit contains Vitamin A--a fat-soluble nutrient that is important for your eyes. This vitamin also plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy immune system and supports reproduction, growth and development. Vitamin A also helps the heart, lungs and other organs function properly. How Much Vitamin A Do You Need?The amount of Vitamin A needed by any individual depends upon his/her age and sex. However, the National Institutes Of Health (NIH) recommends 900 mcg RAE in males and 700 mcg RAE in females. Meanwhile, pregnant women need to have at least 770 mcg RAE of Vitamin A in their blood. What Foods Have Vitamin A? This vitamin is naturally occurring in many food items like bananas, fish etc and is also added in certain foods like milk and cereal. You can get an adequate amount of this nutrient by consuming the following food items:1. Some specific types of fish like salmons and herrings2. Organ meats like beef liver.3. Green leafy vegetables and other yellow and orange vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and winter squash.4. Dairy Products like milk and cheese5. Fortified breakfast cereals like cornflakes and mueseli. Are You Getting Enough Vitamin A?Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States because most people get enough vitamin A from the foods they eat. However, vitamin A deficiency is common in many developing countries, especially in young children. Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough vitamin A:Premature infantsInfants, young children, pregnant people, and breastfeeding people in developing countriesPeople with cystic fibrosisPeople with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac diseaseWhat Happens When You Lack Or Consume Excess Vitamin A? Deficiency of Vitamin A primarily affects eyes and one of the most common symptoms of this is an eye condition called xerophthalmia. This condition leads to an inability to see in low light and can lead to blindness if left untreated. On the contrary, high intakes of some forms of vitamin A can be harmful.Getting too much-preformed vitamin A (usually from supplements or certain medicines) can cause severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, muscle aches, and problems with coordination. In severe cases, getting too much preformed vitamin A can even lead to coma and death. Excess of vitamin A consumed by pregnant women can lead to birth defects in your baby , including those in the eyes, skulls, lungs and heart.