Signs of vitamin E deficiency are often not recognized, so many are too late to be treated. In fact, vitamin E deficiency is quite rare. This condition is usually experienced by people who have digestive disorders and absorption of nutrients.
Vitamin E is a type of fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is an important nutrient that functions to maintain the immune system and maintain healthy skin, eyes, brain, and reproductive system. This vitamin also has antioxidant properties that can protect body cells from the effects of free radicals.
Not only that, vitamin E is also thought to be able to reduce the risk of various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, eye and heart disease, and even cancer.
What are the Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency in the Body?
Vitamin E deficiency is generally caused by digestive disorders that make fat and fat-soluble vitamins, namely vitamins A, D, E, and K, difficult for the body to absorb. Some of these disorders include:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Crohn's disease
- celiac disease
- Liver cirrhosis
In rare cases, vitamin E deficiency can also be caused by heredity and genetic disorders that make it difficult for the body to digest vitamin E.
In addition to the various conditions above, vitamin E deficiency can also be caused by extreme diets or lack of intake of foods containing vitamin E, such as nuts, vegetable oils, and vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli.
What Are the Signs of a Vitamin E Deficiency Body?
When the body lacks vitamin E, the muscles will weaken and the coordination of body movements will be disturbed. This condition will make it difficult for you to perform various activities, such as walking or picking up objects.
In addition, there are several symptoms that can appear when the body lacks vitamin E, including:
- Slow body reflexes.
- Impaired coordination of body movements, such as moving a lot or having difficulty picking up an object.
- Visual disturbances.
- Tingling or numbness in certain parts of the body.
- Pale and easily tired.
If left unchecked, the signs and symptoms of vitamin E deficiency can become severe or even lead to some serious health problems, such as blindness, arrhythmia, and dementia.
Vitamin E deficiency is also prone to be experienced by premature babies and newborns who have low body weight. Babies with this condition generally have an immature digestive system, so they have not been able to absorb vitamin E properly.
How To Overcome Vitamin E Deficiency?
Everyone's vitamin E intake needs are different and are generally adjusted for age and gender. The following are recommendations for vitamin E intake that need to be met every day:
- Infants: 4-5 mg.
- Children under 14 years of age: 6-11 mg.
- Adults and pregnant women: 15 mg.
- Breastfeeding mothers: 19 mg.
For premature babies and newborns who have vitamin E deficiency, treatment is generally done by giving breast milk or formula milk with added vitamin E supplements.
Apart from taking supplements, additional vitamin E intake can also be given by injection.
For children, adolescents, and adults, the daily requirement of vitamin E can be obtained by following a healthy diet that is nutritionally balanced. Some types of foods that contain vitamin E are:
- Vegetable oils, such as palm oil and olive oil.
- Nuts, such as peanuts and almonds.
- Whole wheat.
- Green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.
- Egg.
- Fruits, such as kiwi, mango, and avocado.
The use of vitamin E supplements may also be used to treat conditions of vitamin E deficiency. However, you are advised to consult a doctor to find out the appropriate dose for your condition. This is because the intake of too much vitamin E is also not good and can cause vitamin E poisoning.
If you feel symptoms or signs of vitamin E deficiency, immediately consult the condition to a nutritionist. To confirm the diagnosis and cause of vitamin E deficiency, your doctor will perform a physical examination and blood tests to evaluate the level of vitamin E in your body.
After that, the doctor can provide the right treatment to overcome the signs of vitamin E deficiency that you are experiencing.
