Deficiency of Vitamin A Cause Diabetes? These are the Facts

You may know vitamin A as a good vitamin for the eyes. But make no mistake, this vitamin turns out to have an important function for the body. So, is it true that a lack of vitamin A can cause diabetes? Find the answer through the following review.

The Relationship Between Vitamin A and Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or the body cannot use this hormone optimally.

In fact, the hormone insulin plays an important role in the metabolism of blood sugar in the body. When disturbed, blood sugar levels can increase.

Reportedly, vitamin A deficiency is one of the causes of diabetes. Both are thought to be related to each other because this vitamin affects the function of beta cells.

For information, one of the functions of beta cells is the secretion of the hormone insulin. Nowthe insulin hormone is related to diabetes, especially if its production in the pancreas is insufficient or impaired.

Also Read: Eating Eggs Every Day Can Prevent Diabetes?

Regarding the lack of vitamin A causing diabetes, researchers from England and Sweden revealed that on the surface of beta cells, there are a large number of vitamin A receptors. These receptors are known as GPRC5C.

Research published in EndocrineJournal it also conducted trials by limiting the GPRC5C receptor. The participants involved were people with type 2 diabetes and people who didn’t.

The results of these trials found that the body’s ability to secrete insulin can decrease by about 30 percent. This means that a lack of vitamin A can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

In addition to type 2 diabetes, the researchers also found a possible link between vitamin A deficiency and the risk of type 1 diabetes. This was proven when the researchers checked the condition of newborn mice.

The results of these tests reveal the fact that these rodents need sufficient vitamin A to develop good beta cells.

Food Choices High in Vitamin A

Even so, research on the effects of a lack of vitamin A on diabetes is still limited, considering that it has only been done in experimental animals.

Therefore, further research in humans needs to be done to find out whether or not there is a relationship between diabetes and vitamin A deficiency.

However, there is nothing wrong for those of you who want to increase your intake of this one vitamin. You can start adding foods that are high in vitamin A to your daily menu. Some of these foods include:

• Salmon, king mackerel, And trout.
• Egg.
• Carrot.
• Oyster.
• kale.
• Spinach.
• Sweet potato.
• Mango.
• Watermelon.
• Pawpaw.
• Guava.

Also Read: Eating Fried Food Can Cause Diabetes, Here’s the Explanation

Well, that’s an explanation of vitamin A deficiency and its relation to diabetes. Even though intake of this vitamin is important, it doesn’t mean you can consume it excessively.

Excess vitamin A can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis and other health problems. Therefore, consume foods that contain this vitamin in reasonable quantities.

If you can still meet your intake of this vitamin through food, avoid using supplements as much as possible. Regarding the use of safe supplements, you can consult a doctor.

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