Vitamin A Explained:

Vitamin A is actually made up of a family of different vitamins, similar to the B vitamin group. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the most common form of vitamin A, which is found in foods and supplements. This can be referred to simply as Vitamin A or as retinol.

What It Does

Vitamin A is important for the formation and maintenance of healthy hair and skin, eye health, mucous membrane health, bone formation, tooth development, and the reproductive system.

Eye health is greatly supported by Vitamin A in many different ways. First, it allows you to see more clearly in dim light. It can also be used to correct night blindness, a condition which affects millions of people. In developing countries, many children become blind as a result of a deficiency in Vitamin A.

In addition to the above mentioned uses, Vitamin A also supports and regulates a healthy immune system by fighting infections and strengthening defenses.

How to Get It

You can use supplements to increase your intake of Vitamin A if necessary, but is found in many common foods. As more information is discovered about the benefits of Vitamin A, more cereal companies are adding it to their fortified cereal, making it even easier to get your daily requirements.

You can also find Vitamin A in sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, liver and eggs.

However, it is important to keep your intake of Vitamin A to less than 50,000 IU's per day. Any more than this can cause severe problems and interactions.

Am I Deficient?

Vitamin A deficiency is becoming much less common in the United States, although it is very prevalent in third world countries. However, there are some risk factors that can lead to a deficiency, such as alcoholism and chronic diarrhea.

In addition, vegetarians that stay away from all animal products may become deficient in Vitamin A. If you are not eating any animal products it is vital to take a Vitamin A supplement to ensure that your body will not develop a Vitamin A deficiency.

Other warning signs include night blindness, which may indicate that you are indeed Vitamin A deficient. If you have any concerns, please visit your doctor so that you can both determine the best course of action.

<< Back