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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Vitamin A deficiency: Signs, symptoms, and importance
The body relies on a delicate balance of nutrients and essential vitamins. When something is off inside our bodies, it signals us in ways we often tend to overlook. As simple as acne, can be an indicator if something is not working properly. Now imagine a vitamin being deficient in one's body. The signs can be subtle at first, but impactful over time. Vitamin A, along with other vitamins that are required for proper functioning of the body is an essential micronutrient (vitamins that are needed in a small amount by the body), meaning that is it not manufactured by our bodies; we need to ingest it in the form of food, hence it is an important inclusion in our diet. Of course, consuming a healthy diet is important but when and how to consume what is equally important. Food items taken at the wrong hours in the day can have unfavorable outcomes. What is Vitamin A, and why is it important Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in numerous food items. Most of us know this vitamin for its important for a normal vision, a healthy immune system and growth and development of our bodies. In addition to this, it can also help in the proper functioning of our heart, lungs and other bodily organs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never Put Eggs In The Refrigerator. Here's Why... Car Novels Undo There are two different types of Vitamin A (National Institutes of Health): Performed Vitamin A: Mostly found in organ meats and seafood and dairy products. Provitamin A carotenoids: These are plant pigments that include are plant pigments that include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Our bodies convert provitamin A carotenoids into Vitamin A for our bodies in the intestines via beta-carotene. Mostly found in fruits, veggies and plant-based sources. Why it matters Vitamin A serves many vital functions such as: Immune system and barrier integrity Research has shown that crucial immune organs need constant dietary intake to maintain VitA concentrations, and RA was previously shown both to promote the proliferation and to regulate the apoptosis of thymocytes (National Library of Medicine). It is known to enhance the organism's immune function and provide a natural defence against multiple infectious diseases. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of the immune system,it has shown multiple demonstrations of even having therapeutic effects, to some extent, in the diseases transmitted through respiratory system such as pneumonia, measles or contagious issues such as infant diarrhea, hand foot and mouth disease. Vision and eye health The concentration of Vitamin A, is the highest in the eye tissue, reaching as high as 3 millimolar in the retina (National Library of Medicine). Vitamin A have a very potent substance found in them called Retinoid, that are responsible for cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, including the embryonic development and normal metabolism of the eye. Vitamin A is essential for forming visual pigment(rhodopsin) in the retinal cells, enabling low-light vision. Its deficiency can lead to irreversible corneal damage and even blindness. Skin and Mucosal Health As published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology, Vitamin A is required for the proliferation and maturation of epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces. Its deficiency can impair with epithelial integrity and antigen uptake capacity of the mucosa. It also regulates gene expression in skincells, provides hydration and resilience in the body. If vitamin A is lacking in your body, it can increase skin inflammation and dryness. Growth, development and reproduction Based on the research article Vitamin A in reproduction and development published in National Library of Medicine, Vitamin A, through its active metabolite and retinoic acid, plays a fundamental role in embryonic development, organ formation and reproduction. It regulates gene expression critical for heart, lung, and kidney development, as well as neural and limb patterning. Signs of Vitamin A deficiency Night blindness: The eye's ability to see in low lighting diminishes over a period of time, and this is one of the earliest signs of vitamin A deficiency. Bitot's spots: They are typically dry-appearing triangular patches of xerosed conjunctiva with a layer of foam on the surface which is caused by a buildup of keratin. Dry eyes (xerophthalmia): The eyes may feel dry, irritated, or unable to produce enough tears, which can lead to further complications. And as Vitamin A does wonders for the immune system, lack of it in the body can put us on a radar of infections such as respiratory infections or delay in wound healing.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Caroline Hirons: 10 things you need to do for great skin
When it comes to skin care, few hold as much sway as Caroline Hirons. Whether advising her hundreds of thousands of followers on how to tackle dry skin or seeking out the best product for itchy skin or acne, Caroline's steer is revered. Here, she outlines ten rules for really, really good skin. Less is more; people use too many products. My routine is simple: in the morning, I cleanse, use an acid on occasion, mist, put on eye cream, then apply serum — mine is called The Antioxidant (£70, — moisturiser, and, if I'm leaving the house, SPF. At night it's as little as two or three steps: I cleanse, apply my retinoid and follow with eye cream. I might throw on a moisturiser or oil afterwards if my skin feels dry, but not always. You really can get away with it being that simple. Remember the old 'grip don't slip' rule, too: if you're applying so much product that your skin is greasy, scale it back. Ditto if your make-up sits oddly or pills (where it bobbles as you apply your foundation), which are both signs of using too much product. Washing your face isn't good enough — you really do need to exfoliate. Cleanser will remove dirt and surface grime, but exfoliation, ideally done with an acid such as the Skin Rocks Gentle Acid (£49, really helps the skin to look smooth and healthy. Think of it as priming a canvas; I always tell people Picasso didn't paint on concrete and skin needs to be prepared properly too if you want it to look good. How often you exfoliate and which acid you should use depends on your skin. If your skin is oily, you will likely need salicylic acid, which will help to dissolve clogs in pores. Most people should exfoliate once or twice a week but if you're worried about wrinkles, you might need to do it more often as skin turnover slows when oestrogen is depleting. You don't need six serums or eye creams for different things. With my new eye cream (Skin Rocks The Eye Cream, £65, I purposefully made it to target lots of things at once. I wanted it to make an immediate difference to fine lines and wrinkles — without the benefits being washed away at the end of the day. By the way, that whole thing about applying your eye cream in three dots under your eyes is a mistake — for the best effect, you should apply it mostly to the side of your eye, where laughter lines gather. This is a cardinal rule, especially if you have acne. It's important to avoid harsh foaming cleansers that contain surfactants, which throw the skin out of balance and strip away natural moisture. A gentle version is fine, because that way you won't be dealing with dehydration as well as acne. Retinoid is a good way to go if you want to reduce acne — that's what it was originally used for. You may notice a slight reaction at first if using a good one, but I'm talking about it being a little pink, nothing dramatic. If it's red and sore, you should back off. We are a nation of boozers and it's just not good for you, full stop. If you're perimenopausal or menopausal, I'd suggest giving up alcohol entirely because when you have less oestrogen, the liver can't break down alcohol properly. Alcohol is especially bad for skin, causing dehydration and inflammation. I always tell people that they have every reason to stop, because the body starts to repair itself quite quickly, and you'll notice the difference in how your skin looks. Vaping is in the same category as smoking for me. It's horrendous for skin and lungs — and, trust me, anything that goes into your lungs goes into your skin. Yes, it may not have as much nicotine but it has formaldehyde and other crap. It also still means smokers' blackheads emerge, along with that grimy skin hue. Just as with alcohol, when you stop vaping, skin quickly starts to look lively again. Sugar causes glycation, which I describe as taking the joints out of the scaffolding holding up the building, meaning things start to collapse. If you're a sugar addict, at 50 you won't have the face you could have, and you absolutely won't look your best. Remember that sugar sneaks in everywhere — I'm not talking about the odd bit here and there, but rather the daily sugars hidden in foods such as bread, pasta and chips. Glycerin is an emollient that helps barrier function by repairing and softening skin, acting like a shield against the elements. As a primary ingredient, it's a much better hydrator than hyaluronic acid for lots of reasons. The claims made around hyaluronic acid are too big and it can be very aggravating for skin, especially if barrier function is compromised, but glycerin rarely causes those sorts of reactions. It seems mad to me that if people had a problem with a nail they'd go to see a podiatrist, or with their hair a hairdresser, but they would turn to the internet for advice before going to see a facialist. That's insulting and just completely wrong — we need to bridge the gap of trust between the professional world and the consumer. Remember too that a dermatologist is different from a facialist; you should go to a facialist when you want to take care of your skin's health and have overall maintenance, but visit a dermatologist for a specific issue. I pathologically avoid trends because they are part of marketing. If you want to know who to trust outside your facialist, look for someone who doesn't only talk about their own product. Brands I trust, aside from my own Skin Rocks — for which every product is clinically tested by a third party— include BYOMA, Sam Farmer, the INKEY List, Jordan Samuel Skin, and Josh Rosebrook; I like to know who's behind the brand, that's important for me.
