DAILY REQUIREMENT & DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN A:

 

PEOPLE PRONE TO VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY:

Following people are at a high risk of developing Vitamin A deficiency:

·        Preterm babies (Babies born before 9 months of pregnancy).

·        Children & Infants in developing countries.

·        Lactating & Pregnant ladies in developing countries.

·         People with Certain Diseases I.E. Cystic Fibrosis, Chronic diarrhea & Celiac disease etc.

·       People on certain medicines like Orlistat.

Read more: EFFECTS OF DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN A ON HEALTH

DAILY REQUIREMENT OF VITAMIN A:

The daily requirement of vitamin A (recommended dietary allowance RDA) depends upon the age and gender of the individual. It is pertinent to mention that high dose of Vitamin A have some side effects also.

 

VITAMIN A

INFANTS:

 

·        RDA for infants aged from 0-6 months is 300 – 400 micrograms per day (mcg) or 1000 international units (IU).

·        For Infants aged from 7-12 months RDA is 400 – 500 mcg or 1600IU per day.

 

CHILDREN:

 

·        For Children aged from 1 – 3 years daily requirement of Vitamin A is 300 mcg or 1000 IU per day.

·         RDA for children between Age 4 and 8 is 400 – 500 mcg or 1600IU per day.

·        For Children aged from 9 – 13 years daily requirement of Vitamin A is 600 mcg or 2000IU per day.

 

FEMALES:

·        Females of 14 years and above, except pregnant and lactating have a daily requirement of 650 – 750 mcg or 2400IU per day.

 

PREGNANT FEMALES:

·        Pregnant ladies have a higher requirement of vitamin A increasing with the trimester of pregnancy, but the average daily requirement is 900 – 1100 mcg or 3500 IU per day.

NOTE: It is pertinent to mention here that Vitamin A supplements are not advised as routine Antenatal care & natural sources of vitamin A is recommended.

 

LACTATING MOTHERS:

·        Females feeding their babies also have a higher vitamin A requirement that is 1200 mcg or 4000 IU per day.

MALES:

·        Males of 14 years and above have a daily requirement of 850 – 950 mcg or 3000IU per day.

Read more: NORMAL FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN A ON HEALTH

MAXIMUM AMOUNT/ UPPER LIMIT OF VITAMIN A:

          It is worth noting that vitamin A has side effects when taken in a high dose regularly so it is important to consult a doctor before taking Vitamin A supplements. The maximum amount of vitamin A for adult and children that can be taken in a day is 3000mcg or 10000IU, but this quantity cannot be taken on daily basis.

 

SIDE EFFECT OF HIGH DOSE:

          Side effect of short term vitamin A high dose or toxicity are as following:

·        Dry skin

·        Joint pain

·        Changes in skin color

·        Vomiting

·        Headache

·        Cracked skin on the fingers

·        Psoriasis

Long term high dose cause following problems:

·        Bone changes

·        High blood cholesterol

·        Damage to the liver

 

Read about Vitamin E more: VITAMIN E BENEFITS.