Vitamins are very important for our body and overall health. Our mothers really did know what they were talking about years ago when they told us every day to take our vitamins. Now as adults, and sometimes with children of our own, we realize the importance of these vitamins. Although, they are needed for different functions, they are all needed. Most of these vitamins can be obtained in the foods we consume daily. However, if we're unable to get these vitamins in foods, there are supplements we can buy from a pharmacy, health store or with help from our doctor. Vitamin A is an important vitamin for our health and overall well-being.
Vitamin A Deficiency Can Be Harmful
Vitamin A is necessary part for our body. It's a fat-soluble vitamin that's stored in our body. Unlike water-soluble vitamins that go through our bodies when we urinate, fat-soluble vitamins stay in our body and are stored until they are needed. Very seldom do we see people that suffer from a Vitamin A deficiency, but when they are diagnosed, they usually require immediate supplementation. Pregnant and nursing mothers as well as young children are the most common to develop a Vitamin A deficiency. This can be dangerous and even life threatening for these individuals.
When someone develops a Vitamin A deficiency, the cause is usually from not eating enough foods that contain Vitamin A. There are circumstances, however, where you body cannot store or use the vitamin as it should, which may also cause a Vitamin A deficiency. It's not that hard to consume an adequate amount of Vitamin A as it is in many foods. Some excellent sources of Vitamin A are liver, milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, lettuce and broccoli are very good sources of Vitamin A as well.
Reactions of Vitamin A Deficiency
There can be very serious consequences resulting from Vitamin A deficiency. Individuals that develop a Vitamin A deficiency that resulted from not having enough Vitamin A in their diet as a child may often develop blindness or visual impairment. Children with a Vitamin A deficiency are also at higher risk for death or serious illness from otherwise routine childhood diseases. One example of these is measles. Although these situations are not common in our country, it's still very important to not take the risk. Unfortunately, this is a common problem in the third world where their children are born blind or with serious vision problems due to a . Pregnant and nursing mothers should always make sure they get the correct amount of this very important vitamin.
