Vitamin E is well known for its antioxidant properties and is a fat soluble vitamin. This vitamin keeps our immune system strong and protects the body from the attacks of bacteria and viruses. Vitamin E is essential for various functioning of the cells. This vitamin is also needed for a healthy and glowing skin and to prevent premature aging of the skin. Deficiency in Vitamin E can lead to various health related problems. So it is important that you consult a doctor if you are deficient in Vitamin E. You get your daily doses of Vitamin E from various food you consume like sunflower, wheat germ, soya bean oil, safflower, corn, almonds, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, seeds, fruit juices, margarine, cereals and spreads.
Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms:
- Cramps on the legs.
- Dry hair or even loss of hair.
- Infants suffering from Vitamin E deficiency suffer from loss of weight, delayed growth, poor eating habits as well as mental and physical problems.
- Loss of sensation, tingling, gastrointestinal diseases and pain.
- Problems in the hands, palms, legs and the feet, related to the nervous system
- Slow healing of the tissues.
- Vitamin E deficiency can lead to digestive problems, as a result of which the nutrients are not absorbed properly by the body. This can cause diseases of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and so on.
- Weakness of the muscles.
Having proper diet is the best way to treat vitamin E deficiency. You can also take oral supplement of the vitamin for a limited period of time.
Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency:
If your food does not include the required amounts of Vitamin E, you will suffer from Vitamin E deficiency. Usually poor eating habits are the main reasons for the deficiency of this vitamin. You must have a balances and nutritious diet that include all the necessary nutrients. Low intake of fruits and vegetables also cause Vitamin E deficiency. This can lead to many serious problems. So you must either treat it by consuming natural foods or take supplements.
Vitamin E deficiency may also be due the following factors:
- Diseases affecting liver, pancreas or gall bladder.
- Consuming foods that are processed or low in fat.
New born babies, particularly the prematurely born babies show symptoms of vitamin E deficiency.
Vitamin E Deficiency Diseases and Treatment:
Anemia:
Anemia is caused due to low level of red blood cells (RBC) in the blood. RBC is essential for the haemoglobin to carry oxygen to different parts of the body and oxygen is necessary for cellular respiration. Deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to birth defects, degradation of the red blood cells and hemolytic anemia.
Atherosclerosis:
Deficiency of Vitamin E can cause problems of the heart in many people. Children may suffer from atherosclerosis due to lack of Vitamin E.
Blindness:
Deficiency of Vitamin E can also affect your eyes and the vision. It may lead to thinning or regeneration of the retina, which may damage the lining of the eyes. Difficulty to se at night and blurred vision are also a result of Vitamin E deficiency.
Cancer:
If your body lacks in Vitamin E for a prolonged time, it may lead to the risk of cancer, especially oral and breast cancer. Vitamin E being an antioxidant helps in reducing the side effects caused due to radiation and chemotherapy.
Dry skin:
Deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to dry skin as this vitamin is responsible for keeping the skin nourished and hydrated. It is an important ingredient in most of the moisturizers and lotions that we use.
Fertility problems:
You need adequate amounts of Vitamin E for maintaining a healthy reproductive system. Deficiency of this vitamin is often the cause of infertility, miscarriage and abortion in women. Men with Vitamin E deficiency suffer from sterility, impotence and enlarged prostate. New born babies with Vitamin E deficiency may suffer from anemia and also have shiny skin, stiff legs, puffy eyes and reduced birth weight.
Immunity:
You need Vitamin E for a strong and healthy immune system. It improves the functioning of the immune system and helps in building up the antibodies with selenium. If your body lacks vitamin E, you may suffer from infectious diseases and you also take a longer and harder time to recover from any illness.
Hair loss:
Vitamin E increases the circulation of blood in the body. Due to increased blood circulation the scalp will get more nutrition and this keep the scalp healthy. If your body is deficient in this vitamin, you may suffer from hair loss as the hair fail to get enough nutrients. You can get Vitamin E from soybeans, olive oil, canola oil, nuts and seeds. Various types of beans are also good sources of this vitamin.
Leg cramps:
Sudden and involuntary contraction of the leg muscles that is very painful is known as leg cramps. This is found commonly in many people and is due to deficiency in Vitamin E. Nocturnal leg cramps are common at night when the muscles are at rest.
Muscle weakness:
A condition called myopathy is caused due to vitamin E deficiency. Here the muscular fibers fail to function properly and go weak.
Poor balance:
Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant and its deficiency can lead to oxidation stress in the cells and the tissues. This may harm many parts of the body. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause breakdown of the central nervous system, poor relaxes, coordination problems, nerve degeneration of hands and feet and also loss of balance.
So, having foods rich in Vitamin E is important for a healthy and disease free body. You must have adequate amounts of this vitamin daily. However, overdose of this vitamin is not good.
