Deficiency of Vitamin E: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Deficiency of vitamin E causes degeneration of neurons and fragility in red blood cells. Hence, it is imperative to have detailed knowledge about the causes and symptoms of vitamin E deficiency diseases.

Here is a detailed explanation of the vitamin E deficiency symptoms and signs.

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble component that is present in fruits and green vegetables. Unfortunately, the human body is incapable of producing this compound. Therefore, individuals have to consume food items rich in vitamin E to fulfil their diet requirements.

Being a fat-soluble component, it requires an adequate quantity of fat to get absorbed in the bloodstream. Typically, the human body stores vitamin E in the liver.

Though the occurrence of vitamin E deficiency diseases is a rare phenomenon, overlooking the fact can lead to serious trouble in the future.

Scientifically, vitamin E deficiency is a result of conditions that hinder the absorption or digestion of nutrients by the human body. These conditions may include diseases like cystic fibrosis, genetic disorder, Crohn's disease, liver issues, etc.

Consuming a low or no-fat diet can also lead to a deficiency of vitamin E and poor immunity.

Hence, it is essential to identify the early symptoms of this deficiency and take precautions accordingly. Here are some of the common symptoms that indicate a lack of vitamin E in an individual.

Some of the common symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in adults and children include -

• The lack of vitamin E can cause retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia. This is usually observed in premature infants who suffer from blindness in their pre-school age.
• Vitamin E is a vital element for the smooth functioning of the central nervous system. Lack of vitamin E can lead to muscle weakness due to oxidative stress.
• The chances of damage in nerve fibres increase as there is a deficiency in vitamin E. It can prevent nerves from transmitting signals leading to peripheral neuropathy.
• It can also lead to major hair loss and skin issues.
• Vitamin E deficiency in pregnant women can lead to germinal matrix haemorrhages. Commonly known as periventricular-intraventricular haemorrhages in neonates, it can lead to premature birth and prenatal stress.
• Vitamin E deficiency can cause Purkinje neurons to break down. This would impair their ability to transmit signals, leading to walking difficulties and coordination issues.
• Lack of vitamin E can repress the immune cells, leading to poor immunity and an increased risk of diseases.
• Deficiency of vitamin E can eventually lead to loss of vision.

These are some of the common symptoms that indicate a vitamin E deficiency in the human body. Therefore, individuals must know how to check vitamin E deficiency to avoid the occurrence of serious diseases in the future.

Ignoring these pointers can increase the risk of major health issues in humans. Moreover, if the immunity becomes weaker, the health conditions will worsen over time.

Therefore, it is suggested to get a body checkup to determine the primary causes leading to the deficiency.

Some of the factors that lead to vitamin E deficiency in an individual are discussed below.

Poor Diet

With digitalisation and the impact of social media, many health enthusiasts start experimenting with their diet. Doctors recommend consuming a healthy meal that combines nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and minerals. Following a diet that lacks fruits and vegetables can result in vitamin E deficiency. Consuming processed foods can also increase the toxin level, leading to obesity, heart diseases, etc.

Genetics

Scientists indicate that vitamin E deficiency can be genetic. Some families pass down rare diseases genetically. For instance, familial isolated vitamin E deficiency and abetalipoproteinemia are two genetic conditions leading to vitamin E deficiency diseases. Individuals suffering from the said chronic diseases need supplements to keep their bodily systems in check.

Medical Conditions

A significant cause of vitamin E deficiency can be diseases that restrict fat absorption. As discussed, the human body needs fat to absorb vitamin E efficiently. A deficiency of vitamin E causes the body to lose immunity and increase the risk of cellular damage. Diseases like Celiac, Chronic Pancreatitis, Cystic Fibrosis and Cholestatic liver can confine fat absorption.

Apart from diet selection, factors like genetics and medical conditions are beyond human control. These conditions can give rise to serious health issues. Hence, it is important to know which diseases are caused by the lack of vitamin E for easier diagnosis and treatment.

Check the list below to know which diseases are caused by vitamin E deficiency and how.

Eye Disorders

Vitamin E deficiency causes loss of central vision or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Mental Function Disorder

Lack of vitamin E can cause mental issues and impair cognitive function. This can lead to Alzheimer's in aged individuals.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Vitamin E deficiency can lead to a progressive neurological disorder, gradually developing into Ataxia. This progressing deficiency also deteriorates heart muscle leading to death. Cardiomyopathy is also a cause of vitamin E deficiency in patients with AVED. This obstructs the heart from pumping blood to the rest of the body, leading to palpitations, breath shortness and fatigue.

Pregnancy Issues

The role of vitamin E in pregnancy is critical for neurological functioning. Conversely, inadequate vitamin E can stun the mental growth and vision of an infant.

The deficiency of vitamin E may cause major harm to newborns and babies born prematurely. This is because they have lower body fat which leads to lesser absorption of lipid-soluble vitamin E. The hindrance in vitamin E absorption is more prominent in premature infants due to an underdeveloped digestive tract. This can lead to haemolytic anaemia, which destroys red blood cells.

Comparatively, adults are at a safer zone as vitamin E gets stored in the liver for immunity. However, low dietary amounts of α-tocopherol can lead to increased damage to tissues. This can lead to anaemia due to high exposure to oxygen and iron contents.

The main side effects of vitamin E deficiency include -

• Mild Hemolytic Anemia
• Abetalipoproteinemia
• Retinopathy
• Haemorrhage in Neonates
• Chronic Cholestatic Hepatobiliary
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia

It is imperative to know what causes Vitamin E deficiency to avoid facing long term health issues. Early diagnosis would help in finding the right solution and treatment for vitamin E deficiency.

The standard methods of vitamin E deficiency treatment are as follows -

Dietary Changes

If you are wondering how to prevent vitamin E deficiency, correcting your diet can be an efficient solution. In many instances, consuming a vitamin E-rich diet has led to the body's prevention and protection from the effects. A meal of fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables in a balanced ratio is always beneficial.

Medical Attention

If an individual is suffering from severe vitamin E deficiency symptoms, taking medical advice is the best option.

Scientifically, the normal vitamin E level falls in the range of 5.5–17 milligrams/L. However, this amount can differ in terms of premature babies and children under 17 years. For an adult, the range must be above 4 mg/L.

Treatment and cure of vitamin E deficiency diseases can differ across human beings. Like most other nutrient deficiencies, vitamin E shortfall takes 3 weeks to 6 months to resolve. However, it is essential to follow a balanced diet to prevent the adverse effects of low vitamin E. For instance, pregnant women must consult a dietician and follow the suggestions accordingly.

Now that you have a detailed understanding of vitamin E deficiency symptoms and causes, you can start drawing your diet chart.