Tag: Vitamin a deficiency

Globally, hundreds of thousands of children become blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency, which is often caused by an inadequate intake of carotenoids like beta-carotene. This condition, known as carotene deficiency, occurs when the body lacks sufficient provitamin A carotenoids needed to produce adequate amounts of retinol, or active vitamin A.

According to the NIH, the recommended daily amount of vitamin A is 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women, but the question of which one is the best source of vitamin A depends heavily on your diet, absorption, and overall health. While there isn't a single 'best' source, understanding the two primary types is crucial.

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects more than half of all countries, particularly impacting young children and pregnant women in low-income regions. The source of vitamin A deficiency is not limited to poor dietary intake but also involves complex factors affecting the body's ability to absorb, store, and utilize this crucial fat-soluble nutrient.

Globally, over 820 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition, and vitamin A deficiency remains a serious public health issue, especially where rice is a primary food source. While Golden Rice was developed to combat this, the pressing challenge of soil salinity affects nearly 20% of irrigated land, impacting rice yields worldwide.

Worldwide, between 250,000 and 500,000 children lose their sight each year due to vitamin A deficiency, making it the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness. This critical deficiency, which also impairs immune function and growth, can be prevented through a combination of dietary adjustments and targeted interventions.

Worldwide, it is estimated that one-third of children under the age of five are affected by vitamin A deficiency, making it a significant global health concern, especially in developing countries. A deficiency in this essential micronutrient can have far-reaching consequences, affecting multiple body systems and leading to a range of mild to severe health issues.

According to a 2023 study, 333.95 million children and adolescents across 165 low- and middle-income countries were affected by vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in 2019, highlighting its extensive global impact.

While abscesses are primarily caused by bacterial infections, nutritional factors can significantly weaken the body's defenses, making them more likely. Specific vitamin deficiencies, particularly involving vitamins A, C, and D, can compromise the immune system and epithelial tissue integrity, which increases the risk of developing abscesses.

According to the World Health Organization, micronutrient deficiencies affect over 2 billion people globally, a condition often referred to as "hidden hunger". Nutritional enhancement offers a powerful, sustainable solution to this widespread problem by improving the nutrient profile of staple foods that are regularly consumed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness worldwide, with up to 500,000 children becoming blind each year. A deficiency of vitamin A is most likely to result in severe eye problems, a compromised immune system, and skin conditions.