Flaky skin and dry eyes: a lack of this vitamin can ruin your body

In a context where healthy eating is becoming increasingly important for preventing disease and improving quality of life , paying attention to essential micronutrients becomes crucial. Vitamins play a key role among them. If you feel your skin looks gaunt and your eyes are dry, you may be deficient in this nutrient.

Although it often goes unnoticed, vitamin A's role in our bodies is fundamental. This is because it plays a role in skin health, the immune system, and multiple vital bodily functions. Therefore, knowing the risks of vitamin A deficiency and how to prevent it is more important than ever.

Nutrition experts agree that vitamin A, found in common foods such as liver, eggs, enriched dairy products, and brightly colored vegetables (such as carrots, squash, and spinach), is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, vision, and the immune system.

However, its deficiency continues to be a public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in communities with limited access to a varied and nutritious diet.

As stated in an article published by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, one of the first warning signs of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness, a progressive difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.

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If not corrected in time, this deficiency can progress to xerophthalmia (severe dryness of the eyes), irreversible damage to the cornea, and even total blindness, especially in children.

In addition, the skin tends to lose its natural hydration , becomes brittle, and the tissues of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems weaken, opening the door to recurrent infections.

Vitamin A deficiency isn't always due to a poor diet . It can also occur in people with intestinal or liver disorders that prevent them from properly absorbing or storing this fat-soluble vitamin. Conditions such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or digestive tract surgery can compromise its absorption.

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How to solve a lack of Vitamin A?

The diagnosis is usually confirmed with blood tests, although it is often suspected based on clinical symptoms.

In any case, the treatment is simple and effective: high doses of vitamin A supplements , prescribed by a professional, which allow visual function to be restored and overall health to be improved in just a few days.

Health and nutrition experts point out that maintaining a balanced diet that includes brightly colored fruits and vegetables, animal products rich in vitamin A, and healthy fats to promote absorption is essential to avoiding vitamin A deficiency.

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