Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is important for health. Vitamin E deficiency in the long run can be fatal, especially in pregnant women. The reaction to the lack of vitamin E can only be felt years later.
Vitamin E plays an important role in maintaining all organs of the body working properly, especially for the health of the skin, eyes and immune system. This vitamin found in many vegetables works as an antioxidant which slows cell damage. Vitamin E deficiency is actually rare. But if it does, the impact can be dangerous.
Vitamin E Deficiency in Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are generally only given supplements of folic acid and iron to maintain pregnancy. In fact, the study found that women who lack vitamin E are more at risk of miscarriage than those who are not. Meanwhile, other studies have found that vitamin E plays a role in protecting the embryo and fetus in the womb.
This condition can be improved by taking pregnancy supplements that contain vitamin E. In fact, this vitamin is recommended given before pregnancy, at a productive age, because miscarriages are not uncommon in early pregnancy. But the dose of its use needs to be consulted with a doctor. According to one study, giving vitamin E early in pregnancy can cause congenital heart disease in the fetus if the dose is not right.
Beware of Symptoms and Risks
Vitamin E deficiency can occur not only at the consumption stage, but also at its absorption. The absorption of vitamin E in the body depends on the health of the bile organs and pancreas, the formation of fat, and its absorption in the digestive tract. Vitamin E deficiency can occur if this process is interrupted.
People who lack vitamin E can show symptoms of hyporeflexia that develops into ataxia. Hyporeflexia is a condition when a person's reflex reaction is reduced or even unable to respond to a given stimulus. While ataxia is a disorder of control or coordination of muscles to make movements that aim, for example walking.
If vitamin E deficiency is severe or occurs in the long term, people who experience this disorder can experience dementia, arrhythmias (heartless pulses), and total blindness. According to research, vitamin E and several other nutrients can help prevent eye disorders such as cataracts and diseases due to aging of the eye (Age-related Macular Degeneration / AMD).
This vitamin E deficiency can occur in people who experience the following disorders:
- Reduced ability of the intestine to absorb fat due to Crohn's disease, undergo surgical procedures, or cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis). In cystic fibrosis disorders can occur in the production of pancreatic enzymes, causing steatorrhea or excess fat in the feces because it cannot be absorbed by the digestive tract.
- Very low-fat diet.
- Certain genetic disorders, such as abetalipoproteinemia that can cause sufferers to experience steatorrhea from birth, progressive ataxia, retinal disorders, and disorders of red blood cells.
- Premature babies, babies who are underweight, or who do not consume appropriate formula.
- Short bowel syndrome. Conditions that occur due to surgical procedures, intestinal disorders, or interruption of intestinal blood flow due to blood clots that occur in one or more blood vessels
Vitamin E deficiency can be overcome by giving supplements after going through a doctor's diagnosis. Giving vitamin E by injection is needed when a person cannot absorb it orally or through supplements taken.
Generally, if treated immediately, vitamin E deficiency can be cured. However, if it reaches an advanced stage, the patient's ability to respond to therapy becomes more limited and risks causing severe complications. In people who are at high risk of vitamin E deficiency, it is necessary to check for vitamin E levels regularly, as well as physical and nerve examinations to monitor whether there is interference. Therefore, it is important to maintain the intake of foods that contain vitamin E so that the body does not lack this important vitamin.
Comments
Post a Comment