Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that the body cannot synthesize on its own. It is a fat-soluble substance necessary for physical development and for strengthening the immune system that protects the body.
The important role of vitamin A for children and adults
Physical development: Vitamin A plays an important role in the physical development of infants and young children. A deficiency can cause stunted growth, pallor, and malnutrition.
Vision: Vitamin A helps ensure healthy vision. A deficiency causes difficulty seeing in low light, reduced visual acuity, and night blindness. It protects the epithelium and cornea of the eye.
Skin: Supplementing vitamin A stimulates skin cell development, helps wounds heal faster, and prevents skin diseases.
Immune system: Strengthens immunity and helps prevent tuberculosis, measles, and tetanus.
Bones: Stimulates bone growth. A deficiency makes bones soft, more prone to calcification, and increases the risk of fractures.
How much vitamin A does the body need each day?
Daily needs depend on age, life stage, and health condition (according to the National Institute of Nutrition):
0–6 months: 400 mcg
7–12 months: 500 mcg
1–3 years: 300 mcg
4–8 years: 400 mcg
9–13 years: 600 mcg
14–18 years: 900 mcg
19–70 years: 900 mcg
Over 70 years: 900 mcg
Pregnant women: 770 mcg
Breastfeeding women: 1,300 mcg
Causes of vitamin A deficiency
Inadequate diet: Eating foods low in vitamin A and carotene, and a lack of fats/oils that reduce absorption. Breastfed infants whose mothers are deficient in vitamin A are also affected. Foods to choose include salmon, herring, carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green vegetables, milk, cheese, and cod liver oil.
Infection, diarrhea, respiratory inflammation: These increase the body's need for vitamin A, raising the risk of deficiency.
Zinc deficiency in children: This leads to vitamin A deficiency.
Worm infection: A contributing factor to vitamin A deficiency; periodic deworming and environmental hygiene are needed.
Insufficient vitamin A stores: When stores are depleted and food intake does not provide enough, the body draws on reserves from the liver. If this is not sufficient, deficiency occurs.
Conclusion: Vitamin A is extremely important for overall development. Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women need periodic high-dose vitamin A supplementation along with increased intake from their daily diet.