Vitamin E Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

The human body requires 13 critical vitamins to support proper development and good health. Amongst these 13 is Vitamin E. This essential fat-soluble vitamin regulates antioxidant defences, reduces the risk of severe heart disease and even helps keep one’s immune system strong by managing metabolic processes.

When the body has insufficient Vitamin E, it is referred to as a vitamin E deficiency. While Vitamin E deficiency is extremely rare, it can still occur due to certain vitamin E deficiency diseases, genetic factors, etc.

If left unaddressed, vitamin E deficiency can lead to serious health concerns. To prevent this, individuals must understand vitamin E deficiency symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.

What is the Cause of Vitamin E Deficiency?

The cause of vitamin E deficiency can be the following:

1. Malabsorption of Fat

As mentioned previously, vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient. This means it requires fat for absorption. In case the body is unable to absorb fat, it can lead to a vitamin E deficiency.

2. Genetic Disorders

Some rare conditions, such as familial isolated vitamin E deficiency (FIVED) and ataxia with vitamin E deficiency, can hinder the body’s ability to absorb the nutrient efficiently.

3. Medical Conditions

Vitamin E deficiency diseases that can cause the condition include celiac disease, cholestatic liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis.

4. Insufficient Dietary Intake

Vitamin E deficiency can also be caused by a diet lacking in vitamin E-rich foods. Individuals must include a healthy amount of nuts, seeds, whole grains, milk, and oils such as peanut oil, olive oil, and wheat germ oil. Fruits like kiwi and mango, and vegetables such as red peppers, avocados, and spinach, must also be added to the diet to prevent a vitamin E deficiency.

5. Premature Birth

Lastly, a premature birth can also be a cause of vitamin E deficiency. This is because premature babies can have underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems. And so, they might not be able to absorb vitamin E effectively.

Vitamin E Deficiency: Symptoms

Vitamin E deficiency symptoms include:

1. Weakness in Muscles

Individuals suffering from vitamin E deficiency can experience muscle weakness. This is because vitamin E is among the body’s critical antioxidants. Its absence can result in oxidative stress, which leads to weakness in muscles.

2. Tingling and Numbness

Another vitamin E deficiency symptom is peripheral neuropathy, which causes a tingling sensation. This happens because damaged nerve fibres obstruct the smooth transmission of signals from nerves, which gives a feeling of numbness or tingling.

3. Issues with Coordination and Walking

A vitamin E deficiency can cause the deterioration of neurons called the Purkinje neurons. This breakdown can impede the neurons’ abilities to transmit signals correctly.

4. Deterioration of Vision

The final vitamin E deficiency symptom is poor vision. A lack of this nutrient can weaken light receptors in one’s retina, along with other cells in the eye. Over time, this can cause a deterioration in one’s vision.

How Is Vitamin E Deficiency Diagnosed?

To ascertain whether an individual has a vitamin E deficiency, a medical practitioner will examine whether they suffer from the common vitamin E deficiency symptoms, listed previously. Further, they might also enquire into the individual’s medical history and recommend a vitamin E deficiency test to diagnose the condition.

Vitamin E is a critical nutrient that offers antioxidant properties, while supporting the overall health of the eyes, skin, brain and blood. Consequently, a vitamin E deficiency can give rise to various health conditions such as muscle weakness, vision deterioration, immune system issues, and difficulty in walking and coordination. To help prevent this, Individuals must be aware of every cause of vitamin E deficiency and vitamin E deficiency symptoms. In case individuals notice common symptoms, they must consult a doctor and book a Vitamin E deficiency test by downloading the Dr Lal PathLabs app.

FAQs

1. What can Vitamin E deficiency cause?

Vitamin E deficiency can cause muscle weakness, difficulty in coordination and walking, deterioration of vision, tingling and numbness in the body, and immune system problems.

2. Which foods can help address Vitamin E deficiency?

Foods that can help address a vitamin E deficiency include nuts, seeds, whole grains, milk, peanut oil, olive oil, wheat-germ oil, kiwi, mango, and vegetables such as red peppers, avocados, and spinach.

3. What are some Vitamin E deficiency symptoms?

Some vitamin E deficiency symptoms include vision problems, issues with coordination and walking, muscle weakness, and numbness.

4. What is a Vitamin E deficiency test?

A vitamin E deficiency test is a diagnostic test that ascertains whether an individual has a vitamin E deficiency. Individuals seeking a reliable and accurate vitamin E deficiency test result must book one by downloading the Dr Lal PathLabs app.