Could You Be Deficient in Vitamin A?

Gourmandize Staff, 07/20/2023

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Eye Problems

If you're eyes are playing up, it could be that you're deficient in vitamin A. In extreme situations, a lack of vitamin A can lead to complete blindess or dying corneas, which are characterized by marks called Bitot's spots - dry triangular, whitish, foamy appearing lesions that are located more commonly on the temporal side.

Dry eyes, and/or the ability to produce tears are early indicators that you might be vitamin A deficient. A study found that high doses of vitamin A decreased the prevalence of dry eyes among babies and children by 63% after they had taken supplements for a 16 month period.

What can you do to prevent this?

Carrots do in fact contain a heap of vitamin A which as a result, is particulary good for your eyes and thus enables you to see (kinda) in the dark - we knew the myth came from somewhere!

Vitamin A gained from bright fruits and veggies is in the form of "provitamin A" carotenoids (pigments that give yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables their color). The body then converts them to retional after the food is ingested. Other good food sources of provitamin A carotenoids include sweet potatoes, kale, cantaloupe melons, and spinach.