Getting enough Vitamin A is probably not at the top of the list for any children around here; but recent research has shown that it should be at the top of the list for things parents should be concerned with.
The World Health Organization reports that 140 to 250 million preschool-aged children and 7 million pregnant women are Vitamin A deficient. This problem primarily affects developing nations, but it drives home the importance of a well-balanced diet here in the Western world as well.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is important for our heart, blood vessels, vision, and immune system. When the appropriate levels are not found in our diet, the side effects can be mild or even deadly. These complications are mainly seen in young children and pregnant women because these people need the highest levels. A pregnant or lactating female needs many times the normal dose of vitamin A to prevent deficiencies which could lead to long lasting side effects. These side effects can include night blindness, increased levels of atherosclerosis, fatique, systemic infections, or even infant mortality.
Cardiologists routinely recommend Vitamins A and E for people with high cholesterol and signs of atherosclerosis. Pediatricians will try supplementing with Vitamin A for children who have vision problems at night, and in third world countries, thyroid problems are seen routinely in people with Vitamin A deficiencies. Research in rats has shown that a diet deficient in Vitamin A will lead to increased levels of oxidation and inflammation, both of which are major contributors for heart disease and vascular problems.
This vitamin is not hard to find, we simply need to add some more color to our diet. Vitamin A is made in the body from carotenoids, the best-known of which is Beta-carotene. Normally Beta-carotene has a tendency of turning foods a dark orange color. Carrots and sweet potatoes are the two best examples. These vegetables contain high levels of carotenoids which the body synthesizes into Vitamin A when needed. Too much Vitamin A can be a problem as well. That is why many supplements contain a moderate amount of pure vitamin A, and then a substantial amount of carotenoids to avoid toxic levels in the body.
Another good source of Vitamin A is Red Palm Oil. This might not be easy to find at your local drug store, but in third world countries, this may be the answer for Vitamin A deficiencies. One study in Africa showed that supplementing with this oil 3 times a week in school-aged children can reduce the mortality rate by as much as 40 percent.
We all need to work together to make the world a healthier place. With hundreds of millions of kids being deficient in a simple vitamin, we need to make sure that we do everything we can to prevent these problems in our own lives. Only when we realize the scope of this problem will we do something to prevent this problem for people less fortunate than ourselves.