Vitamin E Deficiency – Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
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Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and has antioxidant properties. It is a group of 8 vitamins that can prevent oxidative stress to the body. Our body needs vitamin E to help keep the immune system strong against viruses & bacteria. When the required amounts of the vitamins in the body aren’t met, it can lead to Vitamin E deficiency. An individual with this deficiency should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
The daily requirement of vitamin E can be met by consuming wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, corn, and soybean oils, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts/filberts, seeds, spinach and broccoli, breakfast cereals, fruit juices, margarine, and spreads.
In This Article
Vitamin E Deficiency Causes
If your daily intake for Vitamin E is below recommended levels, it leads to Vitamin E deficiency since the vitamin is required for many vital bodily functions. Hence, you should consume the proper amount or take a supplement. Deficiency of the essential vitamin usually happens due to poor diet habits – that is a diet deficient of fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E deficiency is a very serious problem, and should be treated with natural foods or dietary supplements.
Other factors that may cause Vitamin E deficiency include:
1. Diseases related to liver, gall bladder, or pancreas.
2. Low fat and processed foods.
Newborn babies, especially who are born prematurely might also show Vitamin E deficiency.
[ Read: Vitamin E Rich Foods ]
Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms
Check out here some of the signs of vitamin e deficiency:
1. Low levels of vitamin E can cause many digestive system problems, which will lead to poor absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract. This leads to diseases in pancreas, liver, gall bladder etc.
2. Nervous system related problems in hands, legs, arms and feet.
3. Pain, tingling, loss of sensation, gastrointestinal diseases.
4. Dry hair or loss of hair.
5. Muscular weakness.
6. Slow tissue healing.
7. Leg cramps.
This daily limit of vitamin E applies to all individuals age 19 and older. Deficiency of Vitamin E can be prevented by consuming proper diet. Vitamin E deficiency patients can take oral supplements for a certain period of time.
[ Read: Vitamin C Deficiency ]
Vitamin E Deficiency Diseases & Treatment
Check out here what is the vitamin e deficiency diseases list.
1. Anaemia:
Anaemia can be explained as a blood disorder, which occurs due to low amount of red blood cells present in the blood. Red blood cells (RBCs) are required for haemoglobin to transport oxygen to other parts of the body. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration. Vitamin E deficiency can cause birth defects, hemolytic anaemia, and degradation of the red blood cells.
2. Poor Balance:
Vitamin E is also a great antioxidant; its deficiency can cause oxidation stress on cells or tissues. This is harmful to many parts of the body. Vitamin E deficiency also leads to central nervous system breakdown, poor reflexes, nerve degeneration of the hands and feet, impaired coordination, and loss of balance.
3. Hair Loss:
Vitamin E is vital for good blood circulation. Good circulation feeds the scalp, hair follicles and keeps them healthy. Its deficiency can cause hair loss. Vitamin E can be obtained from olive and canola oil, soybeans, nuts and seeds. Cooked dried beans, kidney, pinto, garbanzo and black beans are also sources of vitamin E.
4. Dry Skin:
Vitamin E is widely known and is important ingredients in all our lotions and moisturizers. Vitamin E deficiency can cause dry skin.
5. Cancer:
Antioxidants like vitamin E can reduce side effects or improve effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy. A prolonged vitamin E deficiency can greatly increase the incidence of cancer- especially breast and oral cancers.
6. Muscle Weakness:
Vitamin E deficiency can cause myopathy, where the muscular fibers do not function and go weak.
7. Leg Cramps:
Leg cramps can be explained as the sudden, painful and involuntary contraction of the muscles. Foot and leg cramps are common in men and women alike. Cramping usually is seen after exertion of pressure. Nocturnal leg cramps are usually observed at night or when muscles are at rest.
[ Read: Vitamin C Deficiency ]
9. Atherosclerosis:
A deficiency of Vitamin E in person is sometimes related to heart disease. Lack of Vitamin E can leads to atherosclerosis in children.
10. Blindness:
Vitamin E deficiency can cause vision problems too. This includes retinal thinning or degeneration, which causes damage to lining of the eye. Vitamin E deficiency can sometimes also result in blurred vision and difficulty seeing at night.
11. Fertility Problems:
Vitamin E maintains the health of the reproductive system. Vitamin E deficiency can lead to abortions, miscarriages and infertility. Men can suffer from enlarged prostate, impotence and sterility. Babies who are born with a vitamin E deficiency can have anemia with shiny skin, puffy eyes, firm legs, and low birth weight.
12. Immunity:
Vitamin E is important for a healthy immune system. Vitamin E is useful to improve the immune system. It builds antibodies with selenium. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause infectious diseases, and the patient will have a harder time recovering from illness.
So, now you know what effects of vitamin e deficiency. So, try include the vitamin e rich foods and reduce the risk for vitamin E deficiency.
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